Cine ArtArt in Photography and Film

Old Chapel was full of magnificent photography previous Wednesday, 10th April, featuring pictures taken by the students during many tours to Israel, including Birthright trips. Maggie Weinreb (13), arranged the event, working as Grinspoon Morningstar Intern on campus that is a program arranged by the Israel on Campus Coalition.

The exhibit was co-sponsored by The Idol, U for Israel, Hillel and the Garnet Minstrelles. Speaking about her motivation to arrange this event, Maggie Weinreb told that her main goal throughout the internship was for people to learn about the cultural aspects of Israel. Most people just think of the politics when it comes to Israel, and she wanted to show how much more there is to the amazing nation. She added that she just loves photography, and she realized that many students, over thirty, this past winter break have toured Israel.

The exhibit featured twelve student photographers – Irina Zhorov ‘13, Emanuel Storch ‘16, Zak Smolen ‘13, Shayna Han ‘15, Michelle Goldberg ‘14, Dylan Magida ‘14, Olivia Joyce ‘13, Erika Steuer ‘15, Dylan Taylor ‘16, Ariel Blum ‘13, Ben Berger ‘15 and Jessica Barofsky ‘13.

First position was handed to Taylor, while Joyce was in 2nd spot and Goldberg was in 3rd. Maggie considers this exhibit a huge success. She told that they planned to hang up all of the pictures in Hillel so that people could continue to learn through them.  Even tough there are no plans at present for the next event, she expected that it goes on next year with a new set of snaps.”

Amateur wildlife photographer Richard Wylie, who is also a research candidate at the Southern Cross University, won the prestigious National Geographic-La Mer Oceans Photo Contest his image ‘Weedy Seadragon in the Light’. With this picture, he also received a kitty of $ A27000 by edging out other professionals.

Richard is into wildlife photography for about one and a half year. With his PhD research, Richard is investigating the photography to accelerate the school students’ interest when it comes to marine life identification.

After winning the award, the forty one year old marine biologist told that he never thought that he would be in the running. His winning picture arouses a tropical environment, catching the magnificent colors of a male weedy seadragon. The snap was taken Mornington Peninsula’s Flinders Pier in Victoria. This species is the marine faunal emblem of Victoria.

Richard told that the conditions were just perfect; the day was clear with no wind. It was really magnificent under the water. Generally, it does not tend to be like that. Now, the CSIRO wants him to produce more pictures of that species for posters that will be distributed nationally.

Richard added that by winning this prestigious contest Museum Victoria scientists are really excited by the scope for international exposure of this magnificent and important Australian marine creature.
Richard Wylie has worked throughout the Southeast Asia and Pacific in aquaculture and marine conservation. Right now he is investigating how photography could be used for conservation and education.