2023 Pix From The Stix Entries
2023 Judge Gloucester’s annual photography competition, Pix from the Stix welcomes Forster photographer Shane Chalker as the judge for 2023. Shane is a national and international award winning photographer with a passion for capturing the moods of the ocean and the animals that live within it. He had a unique upbringing next to the sea, growing up with his father being a lighthouse keeper. This amazing experience is where his love for the ocean and all its surroundings began. He spent the early years of his childhood at the Seal Rocks Lighthouse before the family moved into the Forster/Tuncurry region. “Photography first started as a hobby for me, mainly capturing images of dolphins, sunsets and waves,” Shane explained. “It soon became a huge passion for me and I turned it into a career in 1999.” HIs work involves shooting most styles of photography including commercial, portraits, weddings and real estate. But capturing images of the local coastline and its conditions is what he enjoys most. With a lifelong love for bodyboarding and passion for fishing, it was a natural progression for him to take his photography into the ocean, purchasing a water housing for his camera. He has made a name for himself as a surf photographer capturing the ever changing waves and those who ride them, as well as for his keen eye for capturing the sport of fishing. In 2016, Shane branched out into videography working as a cameraman for the Australian fishing show, Reel Action, currently filming its 7th season.
Pix From The Stix Past Winners
2022 Pix From The Stix
2022 Judge Manning River Times photographer and former TAFE photography teacher, Scott Calvin. Before returning to his hometown of Taree, Scott worked in portrait studios, photographed weddings and snapped many magazine shoots. Since returning to the Manning around 30 years ago, he's been working for the Manning River Times. This has seen him take on a whole new range of photography, adding race-paced events and sport to his repertoire, snapping everything from footy matches to high-speed boat racing. He has plenty of experience photographing festivals and parades in all kinds of weather and lighting conditions. And he's no stranger to judging photography competitions. His diverse experience is what drew the 2022 Pix from the Stix committee to look at inviting him to be a judge. When it comes to judging photography, it’s all about what instantly catches his attention. Perhaps it is telling him a story or perhaps it just gives him a feeling. For Scott, it’s not always about the most technically correct photograph but more about what has been captured within it. What he really liked about the 2022 Pix from the Stix format was his ability to judge the images digitally. It’s not about the quality of the printing or the size image, it purely about the photo that has been captured.
2021 Pix From The Stix
2021 Judge Lawrence Furzey is a highly respected Commercial and Fine Art Travel Photographer based in Sydney with a studio in the heart of the city. Lawrence has been shooting commercial, travel and lifestyle campaigns for the last 20 years. He finds that hidden element in places, objects and scenes, creating something visually alluring. His images are peaceful and engaging, with a favourite subject being the surf near his home on the northern beaches. Lawrence also has a full portfolio of portraits where you will find some familiar faces amongst his collection of imaginative portrayals in which he is not afraid to push boundaries to create impactful and sensual representations of his subjects. Lawrence has frequently travelled the globe in search of finding new ways to bring everyday vistas to new heights allowing you to travel away on your own journey through his images. www.lawrencefurzey.com
2020 Pix From The Stix
2020 Judge Lawrence Furzey is a highly respected Commercial and Fine Art Travel Photographer based in Sydney with a studio in the heart of the city. Lawrence has been shooting commercial, travel and lifestyle campaigns for the last 20 years. He finds that hidden element in places, objects and scenes, creating something visually alluring. His images are peaceful and engaging, with a favourite subject being the surf near his home on the northern beaches. Lawrence also has a full portfolio of portraits where you will find some familiar faces amongst his collection of imaginative portrayals in which he is not afraid to push boundaries to create impactful and sensual representations of his subjects. Lawrence has frequently travelled the globe in search of finding new ways to bring everyday vistas to new heights allowing you to travel away on your own journey through his images. www.lawrencefurzey.com
