Be part of Sydney’s first immersive weekend photography conference at the
International Convention Centre Sydney on 28-29th April 2018.Wat Prabat Nampu, Hospice for those living with AIDS. Lopburi, Thailand. 2004.

© Photograph by Jack Picone

Photograph made for the Positive Lives project.

Positive Lives was a unique international project that commissioned photographers to document the impact of HIV & AIDS around the world, illuminating positive human responses to this world crisis.

The project reflected the issues and emotions which confront people in their daily lives as they lived and worked with the disease. Issues of confidentiality, fear, prejudice, exclusion and survival, through to care, support, compassion, trust and openness were explored. Texts accompanied photographs authored based on the personal stories of individuals.

By sharing these moving stories the Positive Lives project aimed to challenge stigma and discrimination, and disrupt the myths and prejudices that surround people living with HIV & AIDS.

Positive Lives was a collaboration between photographers and a number of organisations, including Concern Worldwide and UK HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust. Concern has been at the forefront of community responses to HIV & AIDS and the fight for access to treatment since 1987. 

In her book ‘The Cruel Radiance: Photography and Political Violence’ when discussing the ethical and moral minefield associated with documentary and news photography, American writer Susie Linfield suggests that a good starting point is to consider the genres as “The beginning of a dialogue, the start of an investigation—into which we thoughtfully enter.”
Clearly, this photograph above is emotionally laden and for some will prove confronting. Many would object to it being made in the first place let alone viewing it subsequently. Conversely, some people would suggest that it was essential that documentary photographers make photographs like this one and communicate the inhumanity that often accompanies them. So why the polarization of opinion?
Join me and seven fellow Australian photographers speaking at Aperture Photography Conference 2018 in Sydney to understand more about the philosophies and politics underpinning a diversity of photography genres.
This is Aperture Australia’s first photography conference, and TV journalist and photographer Ray Martin is its host.
Live panel discussions will focus on how attendees can develop their skills, knowledge, and networking with first-hand experiences and tips from photographers.

My co-speakers include:
Ken Duncan, Australian landscape photographer
Alexia Sinclair, fine art photographer
Gary Heery, celebrity portrait photographer
Murray Fredericks, landscape photographer
Krystle Wright, adventure sports photographer
Eugene Tan, Aquabumps’ founder
Megan Lewis, Fujifilm X ambassador

More information here.

 Aperture Photography Conference.

 Short Video Overview