TO SUIT THE READERSHIP.
For example:
Atmosphere
“To the south, a great wall of striated rock rises, its top crowned with spires of differing sizes, as if the remnants of a ruined cathedral stand proudly defiant here at the top of the world”.
“Darvis’ cooee is returned, not once, but several times, ever fainter, till the echo, now no more than a distant whisper, dissolves back into the perfect silence from which it arose.”
Colour (!)
“The four day walk tracks coastal heath and beaches of squeaky white sand, next to a turquoise sea punctuated by huge rounded boulders, glowing with the orange-red of lichens”.
“What had been the intense aqua of the sea is now coal-black, except where countless leaf-shaped lanterns form and flicker on the gently undulating surface. An owl, moth-silent, flutters by; this is a truly peaceful place”.
Attitude
“This repetition becomes a major source of frustration in the gallery, not because of what we are told, but because of what we are not told. There is no mention of camera type (digital or film), format, lens, film type or exposure detail. Nothing to aid the admiring viewer to progress from “Wow” to “How” to “Could I have done that?” - a normal, healthy and learning appreciation of a photograph. Apparently, it was the opinion of the Curator, who had a fine art background, that people were only interested in the image and not the technique. Most keen photographers would disagree.”
“To the average Englishman, the French are not quite to be trusted. They cook exquisitely, they dress in a refined and elegant manner, they are chauvinist about all matters French (”Chauvin” was a Napoleonic veteran), they pride themselves on their rational intellects and, with that accent, they are dangerously attractive to women (especially, or so fears the Englishman - English women). Relations between these nearest of neighbours have for many centuries been strained when not openly hostile. The French characterized England simply as “Perfidious Albion”. This rivalry was in many ways exemplified in the little-known history of the discovery of Australia’s Island state - Tasmania.”
Flair
“From The Friars, looking like a giant’s castle, the South Coast’s dark headlands serve as buttresses to support walls reduced by unimaginable age to rounded stumps, except where distinct and regular battlements shape fingers of light that reach through the gloom to strum at the heaving sea below.”
Authority
“If B&W photography is essentially about form, tone and texture, then the Japanese aesthetic of skilfully juxtaposing simple blocks of colour, has surely captured the essence of colour photography”.
“Warren describes himself as an “Anti Fundamentalist”. This term embraces a passionate rejection of virtually every institution and a reflexive resistance to any official interference in his life. Philosophically, Warren is an Anarchist, with special loathing of religion (all religions), government (in any of its manifestations) and violin schools. Unexpectedly for one burdened by such a discomfort with the status quo, he has an active sense of humour, breaking off from a tirade of criticism to laugh heartily at some observed quirk or shared perspective. Intimidating appearance and forceful conversation notwithstanding, this is a kindly, gentle man seeking to get by in an age whose values, methods and societal organization, do not suit him.”
Advertorial
“To witness the awesome majesty and fecundity of nature, to feel the precision of a powerful craft, and to share with the skipper his evident love of the Oceans that he calls home, is a literally sensational tour that is amongst the best in the world. To experience all this on a day trip from a State capital, is uniquely Tasmanian.”
“All the elements are there to enable this walk to be enjoyed as a hedonistic indulgence - extraordinary scenery, excellent food and wine throughout, accommodation that adds wonderful views to comfort - but there is an ingredient that brings another dimension to the total experience - the guides are inspiring people.”