By Oliver Winn
The Yarra Ranges Photographic Society has secured a $2,000 grant from the Wandin-Seville Community Bank to fund better equipment for its members – the first grant the organisation has applied for in its 33 years of existence.
The money will go towards buying new high-end studio lighting for portrait, still life and macro photography.
Yarra Ranges Photographic Society president Rob Wagner welcomed the funding and called it a win for all members.
“The community bank sponsors a lot of groups within the region, and we, for the first time, decided to put in an application,” Mr Wagner said.
“It was quite a lot of excitement for the members to have that come to fruition.”
The organisation aims to promote the art of photography to photographers of all skill levels, providing workshops, guest presenters and photo walks to its 55 registered members.
The lights purchased will help members gain a better understanding of the studio setting, which often allows for more control over how the subject of the photo is represented.
Not only will the new equipment benefit the organisation – it’ll allow the members who can’t afford their own equipment the chance to borrow and utilise it themselves.
“We don’t own a lot of equipment at all as a group. So everybody basically is buying their own stuff,” he said.
“Those lights will then be available for members to borrow in their own home situation so that they can get a bit of use out of those lights and experiment with them in their own environment at home.”
Workshops dedicated to the new studio lighting will ease new members into using the equipment, which will range from setting the lights up, to manipulating various settings with the lights to create a desired effect.
An upcoming workshop will include a night time performance by Ninja Niaz, a professional fire dancer and martial arts performer.
The vibrant flames against a dark night backdrop will test photographers night exposure photography skills.
Those interested joining the Yarra Ranges Photography Society can find out more on its website: yrps.org
