Bruce Postle...The Image Maker

Introduced by chairman Henry Drury we heard a fascinating account of the highlights of the career of  photojournalism from Bruce Postle, one of the best in his field in our country last century.   

First starting in Brisbane, he later moved to Melbourne.   In the course of that journey he worked for the top newspapers initially for Queensland Country Life, then the Brisbane Courier-Mail and the Melbourne Age.  He has been an inspiration to the many who have followed in his footsteps.   Bruce has  captured some of the Age’s most iconic images.   He had his first long range camera at nine years and was a deft hand at dark room technology at about the same time.   Now unashamed to admit that he thought silver nitrate would never be surpassed by electronic gadgets, his current camera boasts 68 Mega pixels.

Bruce's address was a great demonstration of the skill, eye, and resourcefulness needed for a successful press photojournalist.   Recently publishing a collection of 466 shots and stories of his works in a book titled "Image Maker" he chose about 10 of these sets, and gave us a display of the photos mingled with the story associated with each.   It was remarkable to note that by capturing a changing but related scene in sequential photos and speaker commentary,  the impact and story behind them came across much more dramatically and powerfully than one could have imagined in a movie clip.   

We were treated to the stories behind photos of Sammy Davis Jnr, Tommy Woodcock, horse racing (Weather at Warrnambool & Flemington, the emotion of Makybe Diva triumphs), rock fishing drama, tennis odd spots, funny Communion happenings and above all the charm and patience of an exhausted cattle dog.  All were examples of the key points which Bruce reiterated, namely one doesn't know where the next picture will come from but be ready, and always keep an eye out for a different perspective to produce that interesting and iconic photograph.