Peter MacDonald, aka The Sentimental Bloke, has been involved professionally with pictures, both movie and still for over thirty years.
He has also lived and worked in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia and a number of places in the Australian Outback for almost 20 years and now combines his passion for both the Aussie bush and photography.
The idea for “The Sentimental Bloke” came about as a means of explaining where and why his photos have been taken and what is of interest in them.
He has also attracted a group of photographers who want information about how some of the images have been shot….information he is happy to share.
Apart from landscapes, for which he is perhaps best known, he takes many other photos while out in the bush, around town or with interesting people. “The Sentimental Bloke” is a way of giving these some exposure too.
Over time he’s developed a good understanding of the local geology, the native flora and fauna, the weather patterns and the traditions and dreamtime stories of the Adnyamathanaha people who are the traditional owners, and this is often reflected in his work.
While having no talents as a poet, he’s been a fan of C.J. Dennis since his school days because of the sometimes humorous, sometimes emotive stories he tells in poetry.
Because of Dennis’ work the title is uniquely Australian too.
Peter shoots predominantly on location, primarily does commission work and runs popular and informative photographic workshops for interested students of the art from his home base in the Flinders Ranges. He also exhibits selected work at a small number of locations in the Flinders Ranges.
His recent projects include an extended study of Lake Eyre in various stages of flooding over the last 18 months and a series of panoramas, three of which have been used by two Flinders Ranges clients as six metre wide displays.
He has also photographed accommodation and lifestyle material for the leading tourism locations in the Flinders Ranges, including Arkaba Station, Rawnsley Park Station, the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna and the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
The Sentimental Bloke is followed by people in 40 countries but the majority come from all states of Australia and Territories.
