50 years behind the lens
FOR half a century, Rodney Nicholson has had a camera in his hand, capturing a range of different moments and milestones across the region and further afield.
To mark the occasion, the photographer is presently hosting an exhibition at the Queenscliff Fishermans Pavilion, which will run until January 19.
The display features 100 images taken over his career, spanning from 1974 to today.
Nicholson was influenced into photography by his mum, an avid photographer who would bring out her Box Brownie at every special occasion, and eventually handed it over to him.
“I got a lot of joy out of seeing her create infectious fun with the camera, it took me a long time to realise that I probably got the bug from my mum,” he said.
“I started borrowing her Box Brownie, I even used to put it in an ice cream container and take it out in the surf and take the lid off and take surfing photos, seal it up and go back home.”
Capturing the waves was his main drive before it evolved into a love for everything.
After completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and spending some time in the industry, Nicholson made a change and went into photography full-time.
He started out by selling his works at markets and has covered everything from cars and motorbikes through to fashion and music and much more.
Throughout his time as a photographer he’s been able to travel, open his own galleries in Queenscliff, one of his career highlights, and put on a number of shows.
Mr Nicholson said he was still just as passionate and enthused about photography five decades later.
“It’s all about the image for me, that quality, that composition, the strengths, and I still find new things. There’s always something different to capture, never a dull moment.”
His photographs have won him numerous awards, including the Queenscliff Art Prize and last year he was named the Borough of Queenscliffe’s Citizen of the Year.
As technology and cameras have continued to develop, so has his style, branching into more abstract shots and realism still a strong theme.
Nicholson hopes people feel a connection and inspiration from his works and he is able to create a story.
The exhibition is open every day from 11am until 5pm.
For more information, head to Rodney Nicholson Photography on Facebook.