New photos arise from shadows of award-winner's success
Maria Ham won the photography award with her work 'Flaming Shadows' at last year’s Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival – an event she looks forward to attending in late March
She might term herself a “lazy” photographer, but Maria Ham has a track record of putting in the work to succeed and impress.
Maria Ham won the photography award with her work Flaming Shadows at last year’s Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival – an event she looks forward to attending in late March.
“I really love the time of year where the eucalyptus blossoms come out – they're just magical – I had cut a few branches of it and just placed it in this old German vase. And what got me was the shadows,” she says, reflecting on the winning entry.
“I just looked at it and I went, 'oh my god, there’s a photo there!’ Just from all those beautiful shadows.”
Maria grew up in Sydney and spent much of her life there before moving to the Illawarra after she got married, seeking a “slower lifestyle”. Though she has dabbled in art of various forms since she was young, she has focused specifically on photography for the past 15 years. Last year was her first time entering the Thirroul festival, and she’s looking forward to attending again in March.
“You just realise how many talented people there are,” she says.
“The opportunity to exhibit and see other people’s work is such a cool thing. Some pieces just pull your heartstrings... it was beautiful to have that connection with the other artworks.”
“I would describe my work as varied, intuitive... in my mind, I can see what it's going to be like in the creation.”
Maria says she uses her camera to paint, in a way. She experiments with texture and movement to create a living, breathing still image. She uses ICM (intentional camera movement) and artistic techniques to create “a softer, milkier, ethereal” effect. To add texture, “grit” and “oomph” to her award-winning piece, she layered a second photo behind the original image of the shadows.
“I don’t take photos for the sake of them... it’s because of a wave or a part of something moves me first... it's because it moves me first,” she says.
“I call myself the lazy photographer... I see what I like, I take what I like, and that’s why photography… because then I could manipulate it. If I didn't like it, I just deleted it.”
While she still has a regular job, photography gives her a way to relax, connect with nature and create, but her process has had to adapt over the past couple of years as her a knee condition has made it difficult to enjoy the long walks she once loved.
“Nature surprises me... you look past something and you go, 'Wait, look at that!' It doesn't yell at you, it doesn't demand attention, but it surprises me all the time,” Maria says.
“I would go to the beach every morning before sun-up, and you know, you just lose track of time ... and I can't do that anymore. I have to become a little more creative in taking photos.”
Looking to learn more, Maria is finding new ways to build her compositions without needing to be as mobile.
“I'm looking to include some more physical ephemera in my photography. That way I can have a photo that I've created but then add things to it ... unpack it, add things to it, repack it and create an artwork that's a little different.”
Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival returns
The Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival, one of the South Coast’s longest-running and most beloved community events, is back on March 27-29. Proudly organised by the Austinmer Thirroul Lions Club and volunteers, the festival will feature three major events.
- Art show, Friday-Sunday, March 27-29
This popular feature showcases the work of local artists, and sales support both the artists and community projects run by the Lions Club. It’s a colourful, creative celebration that displays more than 350 pieces of art, sculpture and photography at the Thirroul District Community Centre. The show opens at 7pm on March 27, and the $25 entry fee includes canapes, wine and soft drink. Prize winners are announced that evening.
- Kite day – Saturday, March 28
Held at the Thirroul Beach Reserve, this family-friendly event is supported by the Australian Kiteflyers Society, who bring spectacular big kites and run hands-on kite-making sessions for kids. The visuals are incredible, bright and joyful.
- Festival in the park – Sunday, March 29
The weekend concludes with a full community festival featuring carnival rides, market stalls, live entertainment, and food trucks, all set against the backdrop of Thirroul’s beautiful coastline.
