At the Blackall Wool Scour

[Maris]

At the Blackall Wool Scour
Gelatin-silver photograph on Agfa Classic VC FB photographic paper, image size 24.7cm X 19.3cm,
from a 8x10 Kodak Tmax 400 negative exposed in a Tachihara 810HD field view camera fitted with a Fujinon-W 300mm f5.6 lens.

Here is an old photograph illustrating the principle that an 8x10 camera set up at full height and supported by a large swish of focussing cloth can command attention. Even the Prime Minister of Australia when confronted by such an object will stand up straight and grant a pose.

[Barry Kirsten]

I'm puzzled, Maris. Who is the PM in this photograph? Or is the mention of a PM illustrative of the principle that a big camera commands attention?

I must confess you've got me testing the reliability of my ancient memory. I can actively remember all the Australian PMs from Robert Menzies (second term of office, 1949-1966) to present, but wondered if I'd missed someone. It turns out that I hadn't missed anyone but understandably had no memory Menzies predecessors (I was younger than 6 in those days).

[Maris]

Barry, I confess to a deliberate and possibly ill-set puzzle.
The well-hatted lady in stripes is Annita Keating and the fresh faced gent in the white shirt next to her is the Hon. Paul John Keating himself.

[Barry Kirsten]

Maris, you tricked me well and good. I would never have recognised Paul Keating, probably due to the shadow across his face. Well done!

[Maris]

This was in 1992 after Paul Keating advanced to the Prime Ministership by defeating Bob Hawke in a Labor Party leadership spill. With an election looming in 1993 Paul Keating instituted a grand tour of marginal electorates which took in the Blackall Wool Scour, an icon of early trade union power.

I set up the 8x10 camera pre-focussed in front of the No Smoking door from which the PM was expected to emerge in a couple of minutes.
The lens was cocked at 1/15 @ f45 to cover any small focussing error, the film holder was inserted and the dark slide was pulled. The focussing cloth was draped over the camera and the waiting commenced.

When Paul Keating stepped into the light I removed the focussing cloth with a flourish to attract attention, held my hand above the lens in the universally understood signal to "Hold It!", fired the shutter, tipped my hat, and turned away to insert the dark slide. The photography session was over.

[Barry Kirsten]

Smoothly done. As I was reading this I recalled Ansel Adams quoting Louis Pasteur's "Chance favours the prepared mind." How true in this instance.