Andy G - Osher Günsberg....Australia's film 'Poster' boy or celebrity hipster?

[hoffy]

I am sure that many of us Australian members would be well aware of the new reality show "Photo Finish" that is being shown on the ABC, as discussed in these two threads:
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum45/1...australia.html
http://www.apug.org/forums/forum214/...ster-snap.html

I am also sure that many of us Australian members would also be well aware that the host, Andrew Günsberg (or Andrew G as he was known in the 00's) was very much a big time, paparazzi hunted celebrity due to his involvement as co-host of "Australian Idol" (but his star has faded since the conclusion of that show).

It may not be immediately apparent, though, that Andrew is also a bit of a photography tragic.

From another forum, I was pointed to his Flickr page (under the name of Andrew Osher Günsberg) - lo and behold, it appears that he is not just a photographic tragic, but he is also a bit of a film photography tragic.

While Andrew may not be any better then you or me and while I do understand that its not uncommon for celebs to be into photography, I wonder whether its actually a good thing to have someone with a household name enjoying the same passions as us?

OR is it simply a case of another freaken hipster who has upgraded from his holga?

Cheers

[mark]

Why do you care? I am assuming a "photography tragic" is someone who does not meet your standards?

[hoffy]

Photography tragic does well and truly meet my standards. I am a photographic tragic - 90% of this forum is filled with people who I consider are photographic tragics.

I actually look at this as a term of endearment.

Maybe my post was not interpreted correctly. I think its an excellent thing that someone who more then likely has access and the funds to afford the latest photographic gear (OR more to the point could potentially be given the best and latest, for a couple of kind words), chooses to use a Graphlex as his camera of choice – even using it to do the 100 strangers challenge. Bryan Adams is a photographic nut, but he chooses digital, which is something that I would expect most celebs would.

I personally am really encouraged by this and is something that we should embrace, hence my ‘poster boy’ tag (that was supposed to be a positive – sorry if it didn’t come across that way). I am just concerned that many may seem him as another hipster taking crap photos because ‘film’ is cool – Because of his former status, Andrew could quite easily fit that mould.

Cheers

[eddie]

I think you enter dangerous territory when you try to discern another person's motivation for doing whatever it is they choose to do.

[hoffy]

Fair enough. Just trying to make conversation

Close the thread

[eddie]

Fair enough. Just trying to make conversation

Close the thread

I didn't mean to come across flippant. I'm just pointing out that it's very difficult to assign a reason another person does something. I know, when it comes to my own work, oftentimes, people read the wrong motivation into it (especially the nudes... lol). The use of film is a commitment, no longer as easy to pursue, so I'd give the guy the benefit of the doubt (even though I have no idea who he is).

[hoffy]

Yeah, I'm sorry for my response - I am a bit 'tired and emotional' this morning and have a short fuse (this was written @ 2AM my time - shows you how my sleep patterns went last night....), so I should settle down a bit.

I suppose I find it excellent and kind of exciting & dare I say, ‘humanising’, that a mainstream celeb (in Australia at least, even though he is trying to break into the US) does share our passion as well, considering our passion is not mainstream.

Cheers

[eddie]

No problem. I understand completely. Over here, we don't know much about Australian celebrities. I am thankful, though, for your country sharing Elle MacPherson, The Saints, and Hoodoo Gurus with us.

[Poisson Du Jour]

I think it is a good thing that a celebrity (Andy? now!?) is known to associate with film photography. Educated and tuned-in people use film. The risks of digital are too great to be ignored. I've even versed by medical specialist yesterday in the perils of digital after she unloaded her holiday pics onto her hospital-owned computer and they promptly vanished!

Away from the cameras and prying eyes, celebs can be very, very different. I wonder what Lara Bingle uses? What about Kyle Sandilands? There's a lot we don't know about out there (maybe we prefer not to...). Here in Geelong, "Mr. Paparazzi" Darryn Lyons (owner of The Big Picture agency in London) is a film fanatic. He uses a Hassie and can be seen around town toting that from one pretty-body nightclub hotspot to another. It usually sits on the front seat of his canary yellow Ferrari (rego plates BIGPIX)!

[oneANT]

I thought his timing to engage the topic as a program excellent and as soon as I saw the show I could see photography was a passion of his. Didn't expect it and a pleasant surprise.

I need a few hours to relax into the stuff that I do and I dont think he even has time for that.