Archive for January, 2011
Queensland Flood Relief Appeal
Jan 24th
visit the main “Queensland Flood Relief” page here for details on how you can help.
Please help to share this link with your friends on your twitter, facebook and blog. Your help is greatly appreciated and together we can make a difference. Warmest regards, Marcus
Queensland Flood Relief
Jan 19th
With many of our friends, family and our clients affected in the recent flooding across Queensland, all of us at Studio Impressions have been touched by the devastation. The human costs have been immeasurable with many people losing everything. The reality is that the economic costs of the floods in Queensland are also rising each day. Some media reports place the cost into the billions of dollars. Every bit of help is required to support the people affected and sustain the economic future of the region.
For visitors to our blog that live outside of Australia, here are a couple of links that will give you a brief insight into the 2011 Floods.
FOUR DAYS THAT BROKE OUR HEARTS: Pictorial created by the Courier Mail.
QUEENSLAND FLOOD STORIES: Personal stories of devastation and hope by the Courier Mail.
BRISBANE’S MASSIVE FLOODS: Pictorial created by the Courier Mail.
During the floods we posted a few of our own experiences and images.
BRISBANE UNDER WATER: Images captured traveling to and from the studio during the peak of the floods.
UPDATE… & RAIN RAIN GO AWAY: The days leading up to the 2011 floods.
We are looking at many ways to help raise money for the Flood Relief Appeal and we are starting with the following two ways:
PHOTOGRAPHIC FINE ART PRINTS:
I am offering ten of my favourite landscapes taken over the past few years for sale as signed AP prints to raise money for the Queensland Premier’s Flood relief appeal. The “Artist Proof” prints are all award winning original works printed on the highest quality 300GSM archival cotton paper. Each 24 inch unframed print is $AUD950 (plus postage), representing a saving of 50-75% off the usual edition print price. Some of these prints have never been offered for sale before. ALL proceeds from the print sales will be donated to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. So, add to your photographic print collection and help us raise at least $10,000 for flood victims.
VISIT THE GALLERY TO VIEW AND PURCHASE THE IMAGES ONLINE
in addition…………….
20% of PHOTOGRAPHERS RESOURCES SALES to be donated:
20% of all the Marcus Bell Photographer Resources products sold in January and February will be donated to the flood relief. This includes the new preset products (for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop) that have just been launched and added to the site last week – such as INSTANT EFFECTS Porcelain, Silver, Retrospect, Experience and Summer.
VISIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER RESOURCES STORE
OR DONATE DIRECTLY
You can also donate directly to the Flood Relief at the Queensland Government’s website.
Over the coming weeks we will be working on additional ways to contribute to the Flood Relief Appeal. We will have the prints and resources available throughout January and February.
If you have any questions please email me personally on marcus@studioimpressions.com.au or the studio at info@studioimpressions.com.au.
Please join in and help Queenslanders in need.
Brisbane Under Water
Jan 13th
Today the Brisbane River peaked at 4.45m, thankfully under the expected high. The stormwater drain near our Studio was kind to us, so we have had no water in our home or our Studio. We are lucky. We will reopen on Monday when more roads are open and our staff are able to travel again. Thank you to all of you who have sent your well wishes to us. Please send your love and prayers to those that have not been so fortunate. We have close family and friends who have lost a great deal.
Brisbane is a very strange place today. It is quiet. Businesses are closed. Supermarket shelves are empty. Many are without power. The sun is shining though and it is a hot and steamy day. In those areas not flood-affected, life is as normal, although no-one feels normal. So many areas have been completely devastated, yet so many areas have not be touched at all. Sometimes only a street or a hill separates the lucky ones from tragedy.
When I’ve been in checking on the Studio, I took some snaps of the water in nearby areas. Areas near us have been relatively unaffected. These images don’t touch on what it is like in many suburbs of Brisbane. Things have really changed.
The image below was just shot 5 days ago, my first wedding for the year. Matthew and Ainsley escaped the rain. They had their wedding reception along the Brisbane river. The shot after shows you how the river has changed in less than a week.
with 4.2m of water
Towards the story bridge last Saturday.
From a similar angle yesterday (Wednesday) when the river was a bit over 3 mtrs. The ferry terminal already destroyed (on both side of the river). Between the ferry terminal and the building is supposed to be the walkway that you see in the previous image.
Not far from my home I got this shot of Northey Street Windsor yesterday. Just off one of the main roads in Brisbane.
And just around the corner from there.
The local bowls club.
The Brisbane River raging through the City, about 300 metres from the studio. This shot was taken on Wednesday. Flood waters peaked today (Thursday).
Inner city
View over the river to Southbank. Totally inundated with water. If you don’t know Southbank in Brissy there is usually a big boardwalk and park area that runs in front of the Brisbane Eye (the big wheel).
THURSDAY MORNING, just after the flood had peaked and on my way to check the studio.
New Farm Park. Ironically this is where Penny and I got married. There isn’t supposed to be a lake here.
The usually bustling Brunswick Street.
The next few are images from in and around New Farm, Brunswick street and New farm park. i have taken many photographs in this area over the years, but it NEVER looked like this.
Near Parliament house and the Riverside Expressway.
New Farm Park. The row of poles on the left are actually a few metres from the banks of the river. Not today.
This sign at the Powerhouse says “Flood” and marks where the 1974 floodline was. This image is for Adam, who has helped me out by flying to the US so I could be with family. I know he would have loved to capture it and thought I would take it for him. Thank you for all your help through this too, Mate.
The river was about 1m less than was expected. It doesn’t seem like much, but for many of us, it made a big difference.
Now we will all pitch in for the clean up.
Update…
Jan 12th
A big thank you to everyone who has contacted us concerned about how we have been affected in the current flood crisis in Brisbane. Your well wishes are really appreciated. It is a difficult situation for all Queenslanders.
For the informaton of all of our customers, our Studio premises is currently closed due to the risk of flooding, however the premises itself is, for the moment, safe. Flood waters are expected to peak in the CBD tomorrow, at which time we will know if the waters will reach us (fingers crossed it won’t). We will remain closed until the CBD reopens and will advise you all as soon as we are open again. We have been able to remove ALL our files including ALL of our image files, work in progress, and completed albums, and back ups are a way of life at Studio Impressions, so please be assured that your precious memories are safe and secured from the flood. We know that the value of the items we hold in our hands goes way beyond any monetary value. We have taken many precautions to ensure that we can begin operating again as soon as possible and will advise as soon as the Studio reopens. Most importantly, our staff, and my own family, are all safe. We sincerely hope that you, our customers, are also safe from harm and high and dry.
We will be in contact progressively with any clients scheduled to come into the studio over the next few days to re-arrange your appointment. If you need to contact us, please call Penny on 0433 900 392.
You will have all seen on the news that the situation across Queensland is a traumatic one. Thankfully, our situation is not so terrible. Like many of you though, we have friends and family who have been really affected. Our thoughts are with them and we will be there helping with the clean up as soon as the water receedes. Thanks again for all the wonderful support we are receiving, and know that we are ok. Just keep sending those donations to the Premier’s Flood Appeal, for all those that aren’t.
Rain rain go away….
Jan 11th
I usually post about happy occassions on this blog, new babies, weddings, joyous things that are happening, but today is not such a happy day. As we pack up our Studio in preparation for the possibility of the largest flood in Brisbane since 1974 (suddenly our glimpse of the Story Bridge and Brisbane river isn’t such a nice thing to have), our hearts and minds are with those that have already lost everything. We have been monitoring with great concern the catastrophe unfolding in North Queensland and especially in Rockhampton where our friends Ricky and Beck England have had their home and photography studio threatened. We are happy to know that they are ok, but who knows the effect long term on their community. We did not think it could get much worse than that, until yesterday. Our prayers are with those in Toowoomba, Grantham and the Lockyer Valley. And while in the next 24 hours we face the possibility of water entering our little business, we can recover everything in there. There are those in Toowoomba and the surrounds that lost all they have. Lives cannot be replaced. Today we feel blessed that we and our children will be safe but very sad for those who are not. Please, if you can, donate to the Premier’s flood appeal. People really need your help. My boys have been singing the little song “Rain rain go away, come again another day…”. Today, I’m joining in.
Sarah, Our Brisbane Bride Cover
Jan 10th
We are very excited to say that a Studio Impressions’ bride, Sarah Iriks, was selected as the Cover Bride for the 2011 Edition of Brisbane Bride Magazine. Congratulations Sarah! You look like a model! Beautiful.
For photographers and Brides in Brisbane, being selected as the Cover of this magazine is a HUGE compliment, and a hotly contested selection process. Hundreds of images of Brides that have been married in the past year are submitted by Queensland’s professional photographers, and the staff at Brisbane Bride have the unenviable task of choosing between some amazing photos of the gorgeous women of Brisbane. Having been Sarah’s wedding photographer and seeing in person the radiant beauty of this girl, I am not surprised she was chosen. You might remember me raving about Sarah’s wedding to her equally handsome man, Budhi, in a previous post, but their big day is also profiled in the mag, so pick up a Brisbane Bride & read all the details. When you do, you’ll also find Malisa & Daniel’s wedding featured for even more inspiration and ideas.
