Hot off the Press....2022
My third photobook Portrait of a Working Dockyard about the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island in Sydney has just been published. Over a 10 year period from 2004 I photographed many commercial dockings and documented the workers of the dockyard.
I also witnessed special events such as the arrival and berthing in 2007 of Queen Mary 2 on her maiden world voyage, the 70th anniversary service in 2012 commemorating the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul in WWII and the funeral in 2010 of Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN (Commander Australian Fleet 2007-2009).
You can view a copy of the book at the printer MomentoPro here: https://www.momentoshop.com.au/sp/id/20942
I also witnessed special events such as the arrival and berthing in 2007 of Queen Mary 2 on her maiden world voyage, the 70th anniversary service in 2012 commemorating the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul in WWII and the funeral in 2010 of Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN (Commander Australian Fleet 2007-2009).
You can view a copy of the book at the printer MomentoPro here: https://www.momentoshop.com.au/sp/id/20942
Recent news...2020
In December 2020 I published a book of my WWI centenary project, Mementos of our Grandfathers. Forty copies were printed and distributed to the subjects in the book. A digital version of the book is available through the National Library of Australia and the State Library network. Printed by Darkstar Digital / Design by Jill Sillar, Ashton Hunt
In December 2020 I published a book of my WWI centenary project, Mementos of our Grandfathers. Forty copies were printed and distributed to the subjects in the book. A digital version of the book is available through the National Library of Australia and the State Library network. Printed by Darkstar Digital / Design by Jill Sillar, Ashton Hunt
Recent news...2019
Since 2017 I have continued to collect images of men and women at work, especially fathers and sons and mothers and daughters who work together, this project has been ongoing for more than 35 years.
I am also documenting Life in Kypseli - my partner's family and life on the streets.
I am also documenting Life in Kypseli - my partner's family and life on the streets.
Two brothers, Mario and Sammi, are bartenders at Orfeas and Foivos Bars in Fokionos Negri, Kypseli.
They lived in Oakleigh, Melbourne as children - the same suburb as my father and grandfather!
They lived in Oakleigh, Melbourne as children - the same suburb as my father and grandfather!
Recent news....2017
WWI: Mementos of our Grandfathers
Having discovered that on 29 January 2017 it was 100 years since my maternal grandfather, Harold Wyndham Lilja, landed in England en route to the muddy bloody battlefields of France as a 22 year old 2nd Lieutenant, 34th Battalion AIF, I posted a photograph and story each week for one year....on Facebook, Instagram and my new blog page in his honour. This online exhibition was also in memory of my paternal Scottish grandfather, John Mitchell, who also served in France in WWI. Both were wounded in action. The lives of both were irrevocably altered. I never knew either of them. Lest we forget!
Having discovered that on 29 January 2017 it was 100 years since my maternal grandfather, Harold Wyndham Lilja, landed in England en route to the muddy bloody battlefields of France as a 22 year old 2nd Lieutenant, 34th Battalion AIF, I posted a photograph and story each week for one year....on Facebook, Instagram and my new blog page in his honour. This online exhibition was also in memory of my paternal Scottish grandfather, John Mitchell, who also served in France in WWI. Both were wounded in action. The lives of both were irrevocably altered. I never knew either of them. Lest we forget!
Recent news...2015
The Birdsville Cup
In 2015, to mark the 25 year milestone since the photos were taken, I published a photobook "The Birdsville Cup" and had an exhibition documenting my student trips to the Birdsville Races in 1989 & 1990. Around 100 books were gifted to the Birdsville community to sell during their annual racing carnival with funds raised going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The book was dedicated to trainer George Dawson (1934 - 2012).
The National Library of Australia has acquired the book. The State Library of Queensland has acquired 43 images for their collection on the history of this iconic event.
"....it's great to see documentary photography as good as yours in print" National Library of Australia
"These black and white photographs are an important historical record and the story they tell is worth knowing." Alison Stieven-Taylor, Photojournalism Now
"The Birdsville Race Club is delighted to share with you a piece of its history through the wonderful photos contained within this book." Gary Brook, Vice President Birdsville Race Club
"In the intervening years since these pictures were taken they have acquired an historic patina that only serves to enrich them....the Birdsville shown in Beryl's images is long gone, but the images can take us back, they are irreplaceable artefacts as well as exceptional social documents." Prof Charles Page, Griffith University
View a copy of the book at printer MomentoPro's online shop: http://www.momentoshop.com.au/sp/id/16443
In 2015, to mark the 25 year milestone since the photos were taken, I published a photobook "The Birdsville Cup" and had an exhibition documenting my student trips to the Birdsville Races in 1989 & 1990. Around 100 books were gifted to the Birdsville community to sell during their annual racing carnival with funds raised going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The book was dedicated to trainer George Dawson (1934 - 2012).
The National Library of Australia has acquired the book. The State Library of Queensland has acquired 43 images for their collection on the history of this iconic event.
"....it's great to see documentary photography as good as yours in print" National Library of Australia
"These black and white photographs are an important historical record and the story they tell is worth knowing." Alison Stieven-Taylor, Photojournalism Now
"The Birdsville Race Club is delighted to share with you a piece of its history through the wonderful photos contained within this book." Gary Brook, Vice President Birdsville Race Club
"In the intervening years since these pictures were taken they have acquired an historic patina that only serves to enrich them....the Birdsville shown in Beryl's images is long gone, but the images can take us back, they are irreplaceable artefacts as well as exceptional social documents." Prof Charles Page, Griffith University
View a copy of the book at printer MomentoPro's online shop: http://www.momentoshop.com.au/sp/id/16443
Trainer George Dawson on early morning training run for the Birdsville Cup in 1990
Anzac Day Tribute, Ashfield Park
Australian Life 2014 finalist, Art & About, Hyde Park Sydney
It's Time to Remember
Timed to commemorate the centenary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, this exhibition was held at BLUE hotel on Woolloomooloo Wharf
8 - 26 April 2015.
The series of Anzac Day photographs was dedicated to Legacy and to my grandfathers who served in WWI.
Almost $2,000 was raised for Legacy Australia.
In the beginning...
Unknown boy, The Rocks 1987
Photography began for me in 1986 while on a road trip from Perth to Sydney via the Pilbara when my friend Ann lent me her Pentax Spotmatic with its 135mm lens.
I looked through the SLR viewfinder and it literally altered the course of my life.
I had discovered the world of black & white film photography!
I looked through the SLR viewfinder and it literally altered the course of my life.
I had discovered the world of black & white film photography!
...along the way
My parents at Noosa 1991
Life changed again in 1989 when as a photography student at Queensland College of Art in Brisbane I discovered the wide angle lens.
And then in 2004 I met Gordon Undy at point light gallery
and started the life long journey to hone my craft. Thank you Sandy Edwards for pointing me to Gordon.
And then in 2004 I met Gordon Undy at point light gallery
and started the life long journey to hone my craft. Thank you Sandy Edwards for pointing me to Gordon.
My focus...
Newtown 1995
My focus is on street life and social documentary.
I had a preference for the intimacy of a wide angle lens and black & white film, but as time in my tiny darkroom is precious I have now also embraced the immediacy of digital imaging.
I had a preference for the intimacy of a wide angle lens and black & white film, but as time in my tiny darkroom is precious I have now also embraced the immediacy of digital imaging.
Until now...
From the Men at Work series
I have concentrated on photographing family and friends: their homes, their pregnancies, their children and their pets.
And I have also been documenting Men at Work for over 35 years.
I continue to collect portraits of Fathers and Sons who work together.
And I am now working on a series of Women at Work.
And I have also been documenting Men at Work for over 35 years.
I continue to collect portraits of Fathers and Sons who work together.
And I am now working on a series of Women at Work.
Thanks go to Charles Page for help getting my initial website started in 2012 and for his critical eye and feedback!
© All photographs belong to Beryl Louise Mitchell
© All photographs belong to Beryl Louise Mitchell