On Saturday 30th of July, I was presented with the wonderful opportunity to meet with Award Winning Australian Portrait Photographer Mr Rod Mc Nicol. This was arranged by our mutual friend Dennis Woodley (Poet residing on the Gold Coast a childhood friend of Rod Mc Nichol) at his Melbourne Studio on Smith St, Fitzroy Victoria. I was reeling with the excitement of meeting Rod, and encountering this super size Poster image of Indigenous Actor “Jack Charles” The 2012 Australian National Photgraphic Portrait Prize winner was just one of the highlights and the beginning of a new inspiring friendship. To top my visit off – Rod requested that I allow him to take my portrait – I was enamoured and truly honoured.
I am truely grateful for this opportunity to meet with Rod, learn about his life, his works, his creative approach and realise his passion to stay committed to his sensitivity and vision for his Art& Photography. I have included in the next two pages a sneak peek into his Studio and the portrait he took of me. At first it is very confronting as I do not view myself in the way Rod photographed me, however if you see Collections of Rod’s work – this is the very essence , strength and personal signature style that demands viewing the portrait in an unforced, very still and intensely expressive silent manner.
Charleen Morris.