Naqraw u Nirrimaw by Therese Pace and Hilary Spiteri

In 2009 poet and author Therese Pace and myself set on the market a set of six story/poem books for children entitled Naqraw u Nirrimaw.  This series is intended for children attending primary schools.  All the six books are fully colour-illustrated picturing a fresh application of the aquarelle medium.

Therese proposes an innovative way of writing and promoting poetry amongst children. In fact the short stories are all intended to compose short poems, which I am pretty sure that are appealent to a young audience. 

The illustrations show a high degree of creativity and immagination and all characters presented were created for the purpose of this series.


To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 1
To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 2
To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 3
To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 4
To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 5
To buy book Naqraw u Nirrimaw 6

L-Għeneb Qed Jiswied u Novelli Ohra by Carmel G. Cauchi

‘L-Għeneb Qed Jiswied u Novelli Ohra’ comprises eleven acclaimed short stories which were written by novelist Carmel G. Cauchi in the 1960s.  The stories reflect several social aspects including family and marriage elements.

Cauchi’s outstanding literary qualities were praised at the Konkors Letterarju Farsons in 1986.  In fact the winning novel of the contest, L-Għeneb Qed Jiswied, christened this published collection of novels.  The examiners noted as follows:

“L-eżaminaturi qablu unanimament li n-novella L-Għeneb Qed Jiswied tal-konkorrent li ffirma Dmugħ  id-Dielja tingħata l-ewwel premju. Din il-kitba tinqata’ għalkollox mill-oħrajn. Hi ġrajja meħuda mill-ħajja ta’ kuljum, miktuba b’realiżmu ħaj, u bi stil letterarju ta’ livell għoli.” (Mir-Rapport tal-Ġurija, Konkors Letterarju Farsons imniedi mill-ġurnal “Il-ħajja” fl-1986. L-eżaminaturi kienu Dr Rena Balzan, Anton Grasso u John Sciberras.)

Hilary Spiteri illustrated the front cover. It represents a semi-abstract interpretation of a vine leaf as seen against the light.


To buy book L-Gheneb Qed Jiswied u Novelli Ohra

Miraggi Lasaljani by Patrick Sammut (ed.)

The book ‘Miraggi Lasalljani’ inlcudes a compilation of poems, edited by Patrcik Sammut, which was published in 2009 by De La Salle Publications, Malta.  The book includes poems from four poets being Joseph Axiaq, Mario Attard, Patrick Sammut and Stephen Cachia, all of them teachers at De La Salle College, Cottonera, Malta.  Also, the book includes two analytic studies on the late Bro. Henry Grech FSC and Bro. Michael Buttigieg FSC (Brothers of the La Sallian community). Both Brothers contributed, throughout their lives, to Maltese poetry and literature.

‘Miraggi Lasalljani’ comprises four sections which are illustrated by young and talented artist Hilary Spiteri.  He also matched the publication with a vibrant cover design representing St John Baptist De La Salle and his love for teaching and education.

UNEASY RITUALS - Contemporary Tales from Malta by Patrick Sammut

This week, a dear friend of mine and colleague, Patrick Sammut paid a visit at my studio. He came forth with his newly published book entitled ‘Uneasy Rituals – Contemporary Tales from Malta'.

The book comprises a collection of meticulously interpreted contemporary stories, which were later translated to English by Alfred Palma. This publication also includes 16 photographic works by me. This was my very first opportunity to have my photographic works published and exposed in such a powerful manner.

Sammut and I have worked constantly on this project through the very first months of this year.  We have discussed and collaborated on the choice of images which were to be featured. Also, I was in charge of laying out an innovative cover-design complimented by, what I may describe as a, simplistic but effective page setting.  This collaboration resulted to be a fruitful one. I proudly claim my input in this enriching and worth buying book. Thumbs up goes to Patrick Sammut for his excellent creative writing and for allowing me the opportunity to expose my photographic creativity.  I highly recommend this book!

Patrick Sammut was born in Malta in 1968. He studied Maltese and Italian language and literature at the University of Malta, and later obtained a Masters Degree in Contemporary Italian Literature with a thesis on “The Novel of the Resistance Movement”. Between 1994 and 1996 he studied Italian literature and literary criticism at the Università degli Studi of Florence. He teaches Maltese and Italian Language and Literature at De La Salle College since 1992. He is vice-president of the Maltese Poets Association, editor of the poetry magazine VERSI, and coordinator of a literary page of a local and virtual weekly newspaper, Il-Gens illum. He writes poetry in Maltese, English and Italian. He is author of various publications: literary criticism, poetry and short stories for children. His poems were published in both local and foreign journals and magazines. In 2008 he participated in the “Progetto Dante” of Ravenna, together with Maltese poet and translator, Alfred Palma, and won a “Special Mention” in the Nosside international poetry contest. In 2011 he participated in the Gaeta Mediterranean Poetry Festival. He keeps in contact with other poets and writers through e-mail and has a personal blog: www.patrickjsammut.blogspot.com He is married to Rosalie and father of Andrew, Kristina and Matthew.

To buy book Uneasy Rituals

BAND PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY

My Photography Gear 6 - NIKON D7000 | NIKON D3100

During the past ‘My Photography Gear’ series, featured on this blog, I have introduced you to my gear, mainly lenses.  I guess, now it is the time to let you all know which are the machines that I use to match the formerly featured lenses.  

First of all, I am a Nikon shooter.  Personally, I have nothing against other brands.  Some time ago I was simply introduced to the Nikon brand and it was fantastic.  Being a very conservative guy, I tend to stick by what makes me feel comfortable and by what is absolutely practical.  Nikon meets such criteria.

I own two DSLR camera bodies.  In fact my main body is the Nikon D7000 whereas my backup body is the Nikon D3100.  They are both fantastic camera bodies which are up to optimal performance.

Nikon D7000

The Nikon D7000’s feel is awesome.  It is considerably formidable, thanks to a magnesium alloy body shell and slightly thicker rubber coating on the hand grip and rear of the camera. At 16.2Mp the D7000 boasts of the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR. All of these pixels are packed onto a newly developed CMOS sensor. As well as extra resolution, the new sensor offers a great variety of ISO, ranging from 100-6400, expandable up to the equivalent of ISO 25,600.

The D7000's AF and metering systems are also new, and feature a significant upgrade to earlier Nikon camera bodies. The new camera boasts a 39-point AF array with 9 cross-type AF points. It also has an upgraded movie specification, up to 'full HD' - 1920x1080 resolution at 24fps. The D7000 can also maintain AF during live view and movie shooting.

Here are some key features:

• 16.2MP CMOS sensor
• 1080p HD video recording with mic jack for external microphone
• ISO 100-6400 (plus H1 and H2 equivalent to ISO 12,800/25,600)
• 39-point AF system with 3D tracking
• New 2016 pixel metering sensor
• Scene Recognition System (see 2016 pixel sensor, above) aids WB/metering + focus accuracy
• Twin SD card slots
• 3.0 inch 921k dot LCD screen
• New Live View/movie shooting switch
• Full-time AF in Live View/movie modes
• Up to 6fps continuous shooting
• Lockable drive mode dial
• Built-in intervalometer
• Electronic virtual horizon
• Shutter tested to 150K actuations

Nikon D3100

My backup and travelling camera body is the Nikon D3100.  It is considered to be Nikon's entry-level model. It is also the first Nikon DSLR to offer 1920x1080 movie recording in its range. 

The Nikon D3100 offers very good image quality together with straightforward handling. Overall, the D3100 is an excellent DSLR.  It has some limitations but one has to keep in mind that this body is aimed to instil the passion of photography and not to amuse the professionals.

Here are some key features:

• 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
• 3.0" LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 100-3200 range (12,800 expanded)
• HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA)

Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) Malta 2011 October Convention

The Malta Institute of Professional Photographers (MIPP) in collaboration with the Society Representing Professional Image Makers (SWPP) proudly announces the Malta 2011 October Convention.  The three-day international convention is another event on the Malta Institute of Professional Photography’s (MIPP) agenda to highlight the institute’s fifteenth anniversary.

Prolific foreign and local guest speakers will address the audience on the 14th, 15th and 16th of October 2011. The convention is open to all professional photographers and photography enthusiasts and it will be held at the Corinthia San Gorg, hotel.  Throughout the three-day convention guest speakers Faye and Trevor Yerbury, Barrie & Bev Downie, Podge Kelly & Tom Lee, Sergio Muscat, Darrin Zammit Lupi, Ronnie Muscat, Dp Attard, Joe Zammit Lucia, Lino Arrigo Azzopardi and Phil Jones will hold a number of lectures and workshops. Bookings are open on secretary.general@mipp-malta.com.

For more information regarding the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) activity and events, please visit: www.mipp-malta.com.