Michael Franchi | Photographer

Crocodile egg hunting in the Northern Territory

Michael Franchi — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:01:23 +0000

Camera in hand as I slid off of the floating pontoon skid of the helicopter into the wet spear grass, my feet were sucked into the mud and I was above my knees in water. The words ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ went through my head.

With each step I seemed to sink deeper, trying to keep myself upright and more importantly the camera out of the water as I made my way around to the other side of the helicopter to the rest of the crocodile egg collecting team.

As the helicopter took off leaving us behind in the swamp filled with deadly critters a grin came across my face. As we made our way towards the edge of the saw grass that hides our target nests full of eggs I couldn’t help but think to myself what great experiences I am privileged to enjoy as a photographer.

Easter is fast approaching and with children heading out to hunt for eggs I thought it would be an appropriate time to share my trip out with the team from Crocodylus Park to collect saltwater crocodile eggs from Melacca Swamp in the Northern Territory.

[egslider]

Visiting HMAS Perth at sea

Michael Franchi — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 04:32:37 +0000

This week I had the opportunity to visit HMAS Perth at sea for the day during Exercise Kakadu 2012. The exercise is held off of the Northern Territory coast, with various countries taking part.

We were flown out to the ship (approximately 80 nautical miles from Darwin) aboard the Australian Navy Seaking helicopter. On arrival we were briefed on out day ahead, which included observing the 5-inch gun firing, as well as the 12.7mm (.50cal) machine guns, but first was a quick lunch in the ships galley.

Throughout the day the crew were extremely helpful, and did everything they could to accommodate our requests for the images we wanted to capture. Thanks!

[egslider]

The Great Moscow Circus in Darwin

Michael Franchi — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:59:46 +0000

Recently Michael Edgley’s Great Moscow Circus visited Darwin as part of their 2012-2015 tour around Australia, and while they were here I had the opportunity to photograph the many faces which make the circus come to life.

Due to trips away and busy news days I only was able to spend 3 days with the wonderful characters I met. Two of those days I spent shooting a time-lapse of the big top tent being erected, and the final day I spent with a few of the performers for some portrait shots on stage.

[egslider]

The photos appeared in a double-page spread in the NT News.

Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year 2012

Michael Franchi — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:01:56 +0000

To much of my surprise while browsing Twitter last night, I came across a tweet from the Walkleys stating that the finalists for the Young Australian Journalist of the Year had been announced. I had entered, and received no communication letting me know that the finalists had been announced.

Thinking the worst due to not receiving anything, I opened to link to view the finalists and as I scrolled down to the photography category I was greeted by the sight of my name, as well as my fellow colleague, Daniel Hartley-Allen.

As you can imagine I was over the moon that we had both made the finalists. I immediately contacted Daniel with it being just as much of a surprise to him as to me, he didn’t believe me for a moment. I quickly sent the link to the results to confirm my allegations.

To enter I had to submit 3 photos. Choosing such a small sample of photos to best represent myself was the hardest part, I have attached the entered images below.

The winners are announced at the awards ceremony on June 27 in Sydney.

[egslider]

ANZAC Day 2012

Michael Franchi — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:53:38 +0000

This year (2012) for ANZAC Day I wanted to capture an old digger in the uniform he wore during his service. I enlisted the help of the Darwin Military Museum who were more than happy to recommend a digger and supply some clothing and firearms of the era, being World War 2 (WW2).

I first met John, a WW2 veteran, in a shopping centre collecting donations for several charities. Soon after talking ideas we had organised a day and time to shoot, he was full of life and eager to be apart of the photos.

We shot the images below the 9.2 inch naval defence gun emplacement in three separate areas which offered an equally old and weathered backdrop to suit the look. For the technically interested readers; the key light in all images was an octo-box and only the images against the mouldy green concrete had a second light with small soft-box for fill. The depth of field was kept shallow between f2.8-4.

The photos appeared in the NT News.

[egslider]

Lest We Forget.

Two weeks in New Zealand

Michael Franchi — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:34:24 +0000

TWO weeks holiday cruising around New Zealand’s south island and I still manage to never leave the camera alone.

Landing in Christchurch we picked up our camper van and begun our journey south hugging the east coast in order to circumnavigate the island counter clockwise.

Follow our travels around the south island in the following 34 images.

[egslider]

200 captures that made my 2011

Michael Franchi — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:55:50 +0000

200 CAPTURES that made my 2011 the year that it was. From the day to day local Darwin news, to travelling to rural areas such as the Tiwi Islands and Jabiru, as well as overseas to the Philipinnes and East Timor.

As each day comes, you never know what you may end up shooting or where it may be. The biggest highlight of the year came early when I had the opportunity to travel to the Tiwi Islands to cover the traditional funeral of legendary footballer, Maurice Rioli. It was simply amazing to bear witness to such an amazing day.

The shots are in chronological order starting at the stroke of midnight, January 1st 2011 to the very end of the year. For ease of flicking through the photos, use the left/right keys to flick through them once you have opened the first one.

Thanks for looking, please share this page with your friends.

[egslider]

Time lapse test 1

Michael Franchi — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:52:52 +0000

I’ve done the odd time lapse here and there, but never really put any major effort into it. After watching an unbelievable time lapse video of Arizona involving HDR, dolly pans and tracks, I was inspired to do more.

Especially with living in the Northern Territory with some of the most magnificent scenery to offer within Australia, I’d be stupid not to.

This time lapse test conducted at Wagait Beach, Northern Territory. I need to practice and perfect it.

Shooting Alien Abduction

Michael Franchi — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:05:53 +0000

I CAN’T remember how or why, but it started one day when an idea popped into my head of a girl suspended mid-air in the bush being abducted by aliens.

After finding the right jungle scrub at the Holmes Jungle Park, the rest was history. On the day, I shot with two strobes powered by a Vagabond Mini and one speedlite. The key light for all shots was a strobe and beauty dish, except for the shot with Emily walking into the light. The other two lights were used as fill and accent lights as needed.

Thanks to Jessica Connors (BTS and stylist), Elise Derwin (assistant), and Emily Bix (model) for making this happen.

[egslider]

Behind the Scenes:

Capturing Jarred fired up.

Michael Franchi — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:07:41 +0000

A LITTLE bit of gas and the spark of a fire-fighter, a flame burst into the air with a almighty hiss as the gas burnt.

Armed with a 600w strobe with beauty dish powered by a vagabond mini, and two speedlites it was a race against the sun as it fell closer to the horizon. Keeping light simple, I used the strobe to be the key on Jarred Ilett with the two speedlites to his side and rear for a little rim light.

Ultimately I was hoping that the fire would do most of the rim lighting, but in hind sight I should of gelled the rim lights red or orange to amplify the light given off by the flame. With limited time, we moved around to three spots within the training area, using two seperate training fires.

All in all, a success. Thanks to the fire-fighters for making this possible, Enjoy the photos!

[egslider]