Hidden Spaces 2: Richard Woldendorp photography

Having delighted in Robert Junipers studio it was on to multi-award winning landscape photographer Richard Woldendorp’s studio, thanks again to the Friends of the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

After some twists and turns up the hidden driveway, along with some inventive parking, we were soon happily ensconced high on the hilltop (no lonely goat herd in sight, just incase you were pondering that).

Many of you will be familiar with Richard’s work showing extraordinary aerial shots of Australia. They feature in many art galleries and 17 books, including ‘Down To Earth’, ‘Design By Nature’ and ‘Abstract Earth’. We were lucky enough to see inside the draft of his next book.

More examples of his magnificent work can be seen on his website, where it’s well worth taking a look at the slideshow, amazing http://www.richardwoldendorp.com/

I was riveted hearing Richard explain his process …

Richard explained that he approaches each assignment with an open mind preferring to ‘be inspired by what’s out there’, and going on a ‘flight of discovery’, the only defining factor being the amount of fuel in the tank.

Swimmers at Bondi

Flying around at 2,000 feet he explained that the detail fades away so you are just left with the ‘colour and form’. He then opens the window (!), sticks out the camera and takes the photo.

It was interesting to hear that he can get air sick while taking the photos (there’s hope for me yet), and more amazingly he doesn’t retouch the colour later on.

‘Colour in manmade things screams out at you, in nature it is the reverse, it’s the form. Nature uses colour very well, like in a fire.’

Interesting too was that he doesn’t believe there is a set time of day to photograph, instead he believes that each time has its own qualities.

Richards preference for nature is borne out of the fact that cityscapes and manmade structures date too quickly and as a result his images are indeed timeless.

For those fashionistas out there Richards work has also been incorporated into a clothes line by Sara Phillips called The Wanderer.

Richards wife kindly showed us some of the prints that can be made into scarves, tops, shorts etc. For more information go to www.saraphillips.com.au

Looking at his artwork and hearing his process had me pondering many things …

Richard’s lack of reliance on technology was utterly refreshing and makes his images even more powerful.
You couldn’t help but marvel at the years of experience hidden behind the extraordinary shots. Interestingly Richard suggested that you don’t get better with experience, you ‘are just more aware of your mistakes and how to correct them’.
Before you race out to hire a small plane they can be hard to get hold of and according to Richard he has taken good shots out of commercial planes, like Qantas. We checked and no he didn’t open the window. He did however add that sadly he often finds himself positioned over the wing. That must be excruciating … like putting a cupcake just out of reach of a 10 year old.
Scoop Magazine got it right when they listed Richard amongst the Inspirational West Australians in 2005;
I couldn’t help but notice that the beautiful Woldendorp homestead was way up high looking down on the treetops. Clearly like most people at the top of their field, his work follows him home.