Bison support Wildspace National Art Competition

Bison in support of the fantastic work by Animal Active has recently launched a wildlife art exhibition titled 'Wildspace'. To commemorate World Animals Day 2009, we are pleased to announce an Australia-wide art competition with the theme of “Urban Wildlife”.
Animal Active is a not-for-profit company with a volunteer Board, dedicated to rehabilitating and conserving Australia’s wildlife. For the artists in our network we looking forward to receiving your entry... and every one else see you at the launch party!

For further information log on to: http://www.wildspace.bisonunited.com

Port of Melbourne - dredging

We were fortunate recently to be commissioned by the Port of Melbourne Corporation to photograph a new vessel in the bay when Oliver snapped these great new pics... part of the channel deepening project (Boskalis Australia).

The deepening of the navigation channel in the Port of Melbourne, is a project that is vital to Australia’s world trade links. It's been a much talked about controversial project, but we are certain that the environmental dredging plan is one of the most rigorous in the world. PoMC have committed to extensive environmental monitoring, and maintain that the deepening can be achieved without significant adverse impact on the marine and coastal environment.

ProPortfolio launch

The launch of the long awaited ProPortfolio is scheduled: Nov 1 2008. The categories are built, and the stock is flowing.

We're receiving calls Australia wide for the pick of the crop in Australian and European stock photography.

Personally selected by our photographer as the best of series, keep an eye out for regular additions (and culls) to the top 24 for each category. Take a sneak peak here.

360 degree panoramas

We couldn't resist posting these spectacular new 360 degree panoramas. Originally commissioned by Geelong Otway Tourism this new folio has had more feedback than any other...

The technical skills involved in taking photographs such as these comprises not just the necessary having the eye, but substantial post production. I'm sure you'll agree that those many hours spent in the studio are certainly worthwhile!

Oliver is currently preparing a selection for a new panoramic calendar for a much sought after client... can you guess?

Virtual tours and 3D maps!

What a wild ride the past few months have been... it's hard to believe it's been so long since our last blog! The virtual tours, and popularity of the 3D map integration really has taken us by surprise. Thanks to James Makin for allowing us to test the new technology at his beautiful gallery in High St. Armadale, Victoria. The results were a fantastic interactive exhibition, a gallery first as far as we know... and one of many we hope.

Fed Square and Museum Victoria were not far behind, commissioning us to shoot their interior and exterior spaces with some fantastic results. Hotspots, linked virtual tours and zoom functionality, so many options and so much to learn, a steep (but rewarding!) curve to say the least.

No more cheesy bad fish eye views, no video backpack gimmicks or elevator music - just fun, interactive and commercially viable multimedia.. The way we like it!

POL oxygen write up

Oliver's outback folio featured on POL oxygens buzzing blog yesterday! Falling between Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art and an article on the Tate in London and New York's MoMA - we were chuffed! Now all we need is an exhibition there ;)
www.poloxygen.com/

Who's that hiding under the tarp in zero degrees?

MS campaign

When Plutonium ad agency first approached us to supply them with photography for the new MS campaign we felt proud that our work could inspire so many people. After preparing a folio of what we thought to be the best of all our landscapes, we totally agreed when they chose the pristine waterfall of Victoria's Otway Ranges.




A huge campaign with a TVC, online and even on tram presence... Good luck MS! We hope that you raise more this year than ever before to cure this devastating illness.

Bison now accepts PayPal!

We are really excited to announce to our clients this month that Bison has launched a PayPal facility for our online shop and creative services. No more concerns that customers miss out on those much revered points associated with big spends on their credit cards! Without sounding like an advertisement for PayPal, we found that it is really much safer, and an easier way to pay and get paid online, allowing anyone to pay in any way they prefer, without sharing financial information.

In a smart move PayPal was acquired by eBay in 2002 and has quickly become a global leader in online payment solutions... This is of course not without challenge as this year eBay tried to implement a PayPal only system. There were compulsory fees, and surrounded by public backlash, this was overturned by the ACC, we're just thinking for a service this good, shouldn't someone have to pay?

Wildspace Exhibition - full steam ahead!

4 months to go before the launch of the Wildspace Artist of the Year! Sponsored by UNESCO, Fed Square, Prana Quartet and Avant Card to name a few, this event is sure to be a fantastic social event for those that love Australian wildlife.

Rheya Linden from Animal Active approached us mid 2007 and asked whether we'd be interested in collaborating on a new major event, supporting and highlighting the plight of urban wildlife. Oliver and I being great wildlife lovers agreed, and have since produced a new range of collateral including eCards, posters, logos - the regular pick.

Now the exhibition entries are flowing in. For those budding artists amongst you, there's AUD $2000 prize money to be won! Join us on October 9 at Federation Square - Melbourne, for a great night of speakers, bands, and of course great artwork; and help us raise awareness of the future of our beautiful wildlife, and precious environment. Entry forms and further details are at http://wildspace.bisonunited.com

Bison launches a brand new website!

The day has finally come! At 3:57:15 PM the new Bison site went live. Not that we didn't love the other one... this one is just, clean, crisp, smart and professional. They say that a business is like a child, and at nearly 4 years old, our baby is finally running! The eye is blind to what the spirit cannot see...

Australian War Memorial - Canberra

On a recent trip to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Oliver took these great new shots... Having done a little research we were surprised to discover the following interesting facts: close to one million visitors go each year, it is the most visited national cultural institution in Australia, work began on the building in 1933 however the effects of the Great Depression and the outbreak of the Second World War delayed the official opening until Remembrance Day, 11 November 1941. Incredible architecture and a must see!

Wildlife Conservation and Education

Oliver set out a few weeks ago to capture some spectacular new wildlife. We were totally surprised with the fantastic results. Once you really see the scales on the lizard and stare right into the eye of the crocodile, you appreciate that each animal has an individual personality and they can't be lumped into one group of reptiles.

We challenge anyone after looking at this new folio that say otherwise. All uniquely Australian and all in desperate need of conservation. We hope that these beautiful photographs help educate the wider community as to the importance of protecting these special creatures.

A Tall Order Giraffe Encounter

For those that live in Melbourne, or those visiting don't miss the wonderful 'Tall Order Giraffe Encounter' at Werribee Open Range Zoo. With so many animals living on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah, it's hard to believe that it's only 30 minutes form Melbourne. Oliver visited and got up close and personal with one of the world’s tallest mammals. Don't miss it!!

Cunard's Queen Victoria in Melbourne

As the sensational oceanliner Queen Victoria came into view on Melbourne's Station Pier, Oliver managed to brave the crowds and capture some stunning new exterior shots...

A few fast facts: Guest accommodation - 990 staterooms, gross tonnage - 90,000 tons, length - 964.5 feet, width - 106 feet, guest capacity - 2000 and best of all guess how many decks?? Only a mere 12!

Bison is on iTunes!

Why Podcast on iTunes?

Yes that's right, Bison's photographer Oliver is now podcasting on iTunes! Why you may ask... And what exactly does a photography company need a podcast for?

First and foremost we love the concept of an MP3 audio file automatically being sent to a user's computer which AUTOMATICALLY loads it onto their iPod or other audio device. Also we think the inspiration behind the photo adds enormous value to understand why it was created. You can listen right from Bison's web page or from your computer using iTunes or other software, or from your iPod... you do not need an iPod to enjoy a podcast but automatically getting fresh audio content right to your iPod that you then listen to during your morning commute or walk in the park is what podcasting is all about!

Looking forward to your feedback, and stay tuned to Bison United on iTunes!

Australian Souvenir Magnets Exclusive!

Everyone loves a good magnet! This new range of 4 Victorian magnets were produced for ACMI at Fed Square as part of an exclusive line of souvenirs.

Cute aren't they!

Exclusive Range for Retail

One of our most loyal clients contacted us before Christmas to meet and discuss an idea for an exclusive new range of photography products....

Retail is an area we'd dipped into with the DVD postcard series, but not one we'd fully explored in the past, so of course we were interested.

What actually coincided with the meeting was a chapter in 'Pushing the Envelope all the Way to the Top' by Harvey Mackay that got us thinking. Always a matter of synchronicity!

Harvey writes in his book, that 'retail is detail.' And that some of the biggest breakthroughs in modern selling have been pioneered by huge national retail chains. Also that retail has enormous lessons to teach, and indeed it does. We've listed some of our top lessons below.

1. Loyalty deserves to be treated like royalty.

Rule: Pay special attention to your best customers - never take them for granted. Know their names.

2. Never say no for the other person.

Rule: Don't talk yourself out of a deal by assuming the other person won't be interested. You want exclusive, we'll give you exclusive! Postcards, magnets, shrink-wrapped mounted photos....

3. Admit your mistakes.

Rule: Retailing is an art, not a science. Listen to your customers. Survey them. Listen to your cash register. Listen to your employees. Listen to your instincts. Cut your losses (immediately). Personnel. Products. Prices. Location. Marketing.

p.s. Have fun!

Bison Photography Podcasts!

The podcasts have arrived!

Finally you can get your favourite photo explained by Oliver... We're also taking requests! Check out Bison's new podcast page here.

List or download up to date news from Oliver's latest trip on the road. Bison brings you the story and motivation behind the picture, free video and audio podcasts... choose from the list of available shows here.
Don't forget to send us your feedback!

Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay

Oliver joined the infamous Leyland Brothers' legend, in his quest to discover some of the most remote and pristine wilderness of the southern regions of Australia.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Leyland Brothers notoriety.... For years millions of Australians tuned in weekly to watched these brothers take us to parts of Australia that none of us had visited before.

Coming to prominence in the late 1960s and reached a peak of popularity in the 1970s, often providing Australian viewers with their first look at outback Australia.

It seems that Oliver, with the help of Jules our trail blazer, are discovering and rediscovering some of spectactualr natural beauty of our great land, which fist appeared on our screens 40 years ago.

These beautiful seals live in Seal Bay, near the Little Sahara on Kangaroo Island...

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island - after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent.

At its closest point to the mainland, it is 13 kilometres (8 mi) offshore from Cape Jervis, in the state of South Australia. It is said that Kangaroo Island was separated from mainland Australia by a rise in sea level about 9,000 years ago.

We definitely suggest you visit!