New Blog Page

I've migrated my blog over to a new page so click here to check it out or go to http://gregewingphoto.com/blog/

Wallpaper 13

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A Little Gold

Summer in Durban can be pretty depressing but with a little patience and an eye on the charts you can still find a little gold... Click here to see my Summer Gallery on the Zigzag website.

Africa Project

A spread of Davey Weare in the latest issue of Zigzag. Dave gets the shot with Jason Hearn while filming and shooting for the Africa Project on our last full destination, Reunion. A bit has been going on behind the scenes lately, Jason has been getting his stuff together and hopefully we will have some good news soon. Watch this space…

Where has the ART gone?

Or is this what is driving it? My backup system has been growing. It started with a 500 GB LaCie, then I got a Rugged LaCie for trips, then another 500. Then after ordering my second TB the other day I just went woooh where is this going? I backup simply according to date of shoot.  So when I was juggling data around to get the most out of what space I had, I could see how much was transferring from 2006 when I went digital. Then how it grew in 2007 and so on…

Back in our film days we would pride ourselves on achieving the shot. Getting the correct exposure, crop, framing… all done one of 36 frames. If I remember correctly film and developing used to cost about R120. Lets call it R3 a shot. My camera was busting out a very respectful (even by today’s standards) 7fps. On average I would shoot 3 rolls though if we were in Indo and it was cooooking we would do a lot more.  So its easy see it cost a lot of money and therefore we were pretty selective.

Jump forward to the digital revolution. My first camera was the Canon EOS 1d Mk2n. I think I originally got it in December of 2005 but didn’t have a clue so it probably wasn’t until January that I was actually using it.  I was totally blown away when I checked that I only had 30 odd GB backed up from that year (truth is I was a digital rookie and I probably lost a bit) Last year still on my Mk2 I shot 430GB… Now add to that equation that im shooting on a Mk 4 now with double the megapixels, it’s only going to get silly…

Where am I going with all this? Clearly im shooting a lot more now. Digital simply gives you that option, an almost unlimited one depending on how you look at it. In the past I would shoot 100 frames, im now shooting 500. Even when shooting from the water where you were limited to one roll I now shoot 150 frames. In the past we had to get everything 100% down to the last detail like correct film (and that was just for slight colour difference). Now we have AWB and can change our ISO in a second. Yes a good RAW is essential but so much comes down to retouching these days that it is an art in itself

So like I said before we used to pride ourselves on getting the shot on film with the selectiveness that we shot. That was the ART. Take a step back, look at surf photography these days, the standard is unbelievable. Guys are pushing it, somehow finding new angles, hand holding in 10ft barrels… Where is the ART now or how is it defined? Is it solely defined on the final image, regardless of what you did or how much you shot to get it? Is digital and its’ usability and accessibility what are driving the Art today over the exact skill and knowledge of the past? Just something to think about.

Award

For those of you who know Will Bendix (Editor of Zigzag) you'll know he can be a hard man to get hold of. Editors always have a lot on their plates, either putting a mag together or dealing with way too much admin. I had actually been trying to get hold of him for a few days but when I heard my phone ringing at 10.15 pm and saw his name blinking back, I was a bit unsure as firstly I knew the surf was going to be pretty dismal the next day and secondly, it's not like him to make social calls or just phone to chat about our next adventure at that time of the evening. So when an excited Will Bendix answers back, quite loud into the phone as it sounded like he was in a club, I knew something was up. Hey Greg, Well done bro! You and AVG just won a cool award. You guys got Best Visuals for the Africa Project at the Media 24, Excellence Awards!  Nice trophy, mounted certificate, really sweet! Oh and a little cash as well…

I popped round the office the next day to say hi to the boys and pick up the trophy. Apparently I owe all the guys expensive international beers or something, fair enough guys haha. But from Alan and I, we are really stoked and big thanks to Zigzag and Media 24!

Wallpaper 12

1680 x 1050
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Boardriders TV

The guys at Boardriders TV recently did an episode on Surf Photography. They interviewed the legendary Chris Van Lennep, Luke Pattereson and myself. It was a bit strange being interview, you really just hope they edit it well and you dont sound to stupid ha ha. But all came out well and really stoke to be part of it. Follow the link to You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_bCWudUsU

The Bush

In this crazy world we find ourselves, it’s hard for it not to build up sometimes. We get tired, a little stressed, you know the usual… For me going for a run is a good way to keep on top of it.  Going for a surf, perfect! I think we surfed so much when we were younger, that we were so on top of it, so chilled that there was no stress at all! Ha ha. In our mellow mind frames we called it ‘Salt Water therapy’ and it was the answer to all life’s hassles.

Growing up in Cape Town I never really knew too much about the bush, well the outdoor kind that is. Kruger Park was over a 20 hour drive away and it wasn’t until I moved up to Durban that I was introduced to wildlife and in particular wildlife photography. I was hooked from the moment I drove into my first park and besides our annual family trips ive been fortunate enough to visit and document a few parks around the country on editorial assignments.

But back to my de-stressing thing. I find going into the bush or spending time in a park an amazing way to unwind. I don’t think about too much else besides, sightings, the golden hour, appreciating the beautiful outdoors and time spent with those around me. Everything else is a few hours away from my mind.  So if Salt Water therapy were a great way to describe going for a surf and unwinding, what would be a good one for going to the bush? Just something to think about. 

Anyways here are a few images from a trip last week. My first Cheetah sighting, pretty memorable!

2010 Gallery

Go check the Zigzag site for a little 2010 Gallery of images that didn't quite make the mag but worth a view.

Goldfish Shoot

A few shots from a recent shoot with the guys from Goldfish.

Much travelling and very little Blogging…

Well it’s been a crazy last month to say the least. Clare and I were married on the 1st September (spring day) at the most beautiful and almost surreal Tuscan Villa in Italy joined my our family and close friends. Wow, what an amazing day! Thank you so much to all of you for making the effort, it makes us both feel so loved.

From Siena it was off to the very romantic but after a glass of wine, very confusing, Venice. Clare and I spent the next 3 weeks catching taxis, planes, trains and a LOT of walking around Europe. We spent time in Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome and also went to visit our good friends Bridge and Dave in Ibiza.

A highlight for sure, though a bit nerve racking at times (check the scooter) was our day trip to Formentera. Do your self a favour, Google it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited some beautiful islands and beaches but this place is crazy! Its not tropical, palm tree beautiful but has the clearest, turquoise water ive ever seen. When I retire and sail around the world, im stopping there for sure!

So it’s kind of back to reality now. Clare is starting her new Job and I have a few projects to work on but I will say one thing. It’s awesome travelling, seeing and experiencing new things but there is nothing quite like home!