User:Robert Imhoff

Robert Imhoff (b. 19 April 1949 - ) is an Australian photographer, filmmaker, writer and advocate.

Advocate for photography, local government and animal welfare issues.

 Early life and education                                                                                                    

Born in Melbourne, the only child of Arnold Henry Imhoff and Charlotte Vivien Imhoff (nee Taylor). He began his education at Lower Plenty primary school, followed by the art-orientated Eltham High School (1961-1966) where he worked for several years on the school magazine The Mercury.

Studied Photography at RMIT (1967-1968)

 Personal life                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Married to writer Virginia Imhoff, they have four children, Roland, James, Arabella and Rupert. In 1980 the family purchased an historic farm property in the Victorian Central Highlands, allowing Virginia to participate in equine activities and the children, and grandchildren, to experience rural life.

 Influences & Mentors                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

At primary school, the father of two fellow students, a noted Australian filmmaker, along with the headmaster’s brother who was the director of Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) had significant influence on Imhoff’s future destiny.

At High School the list of influences expanded and included many noted members of the local artist community.

At RMIT the list continued to expand, with introductions to noted practicing photographers, some who became life-long friends and mentors.

Throughout his career Imhoff established friendships with many noted international photographers and filmmakers.

 Photography career                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Robert Imhoff, who began his career in Australia in around 1970, is an advocate of versatility, working across the fields of film and photography, and developing a specialisation in lighting. His photographic output across three decades encompasses portraits and advertising imagery executed both in black and white, and colour, and ranging from relatively straight shots to those that are clearly highly manipulated. The subjects of Imhoff’s commissioned portraits are mostly notables in the Australian community: actors, architects, sportspeople, businessmen, politicians and members of local government. What is most striking about those portraits is their warmth, with a great many subjects being presented smiling, their faces alive and active. Imhoff’s portraiture is distinguished by a high degree of deliberation. The subjects are typically posed in the pared back setting of the studio without any props or accessories that identify their professions. In Imhoff’s portraits all attention is directed to the subjects’ faces, their stance and often their hands, which are further markers of individuality. The staple of Rob Imhoff’s work has been advertising photography and the assignments he has undertaken have proved extremely diverse. In all Imhoff’s work one of the most critical elements is lighting or what he refers to as ‘controlled lighting’. Another feature of Imhoff’s career is its internationalism. He undertook assignments for a variety of international agencies and multi-national companies, travelled extensively, and collaborated with numerous international practitioners based in Asia, the United States, Europe and England in particular. Professor Helen Ennis. Director, Centre for Art History and Art Theory, Australian National University School of Art.

In 2004 Imhoff suffered a career ending illness.                                                                                                         

 Photography advocate                                                                                                    

“Rob Imhoff’s career in photography was not confined to practice. He has been a long-time advocate for professional and commercial photography through various roles”. Professor Helen Ennis, Director, Centre for Art History and Art Theory, Australian National University School of Art.

Early on in his career (early 1970’s) Imhoff became concerned about the protection of photographer’s rights and was instrumental in forming a monthly dinner where photographers gathered and discussed issues of concern. Soon after he became a state board member of the Institute of Australian Photographers (IAP now AIPP) In 1992 he was approached to become the patron of the newly formed society of Australian Commercial & Media Photographers (ACMP). Advising on a broad range of subjects to raise the professional status of Australian professional photography.In 1994 Imhoff Participated in negotiations and the securing of a ten-year, million dollar, sponsorship agreement with Hanimex Australia – manufacturers of Fuji Film for ‘The Fuji / ACMP Australian Photographers Collection’Imhoff’s tenure as Patron ceased with the ACMP’s amalgamation with the AIPP in 2015.

 Local Government advocate                                                                                                    

In the mid 1980’s and with four young children Imhoff found that their local residential precinct was under threat from over development. At the request of his wife and fellow residents he took up the gauntlet and led a strong community-based fight to retain open-space. Following months of research and preparation he led a representation to the state government appeals tribunal (AAT now VCAT). After an eight-month protracted hearing the community achieved their goal and the development was rejected. The case was an unprecedented, success for the community.Through the 1990’s  and on Imhoff has represented the community in various other tribunal cases that have threatened to erode the residential amenity.

 Animal welfare advocate                                                                                                    

A long-held belief in animal welfare issues, Imhoff took up the plight of the Australian Brumbies and in 2018 he launched the social media site A voice for the Brumbies

 Noted photographs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

·      Sidney Charles Bromley, English actor, 1969

·      Dancing in the park, homage to the film Blowup, 1969

·      Gaye Baker, model, Wittner shoes spread, Australian Vogue, 1971

·      Gina Lollobrigida, Italian actress & photographer. 1995

·      Leggo’s Italian cook book cover, 1975

·      Solveig Larsen, Australian model, 1978

·      Ruth Cracknel, Australian actress, 1978

·      John Howard, MP, Liberal Party leader, 1985

·      Kodak Clown with puppeteer Ron Mueck, 1985

·      Mercedes Benz Emblem, 1987

·      Red Wine, Taylors Wine, 2002

·      Keith Wagstaff, Australian cinematographer, 2009

 Noted television commercials                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

·      Singapore Airlines 1x30 ‘Big Top’ 1982

·      Shell XMO 1x30 'Engine' 1984

·      Venture 1x30 'Convent' 1984

·      Kodak 1x15 ‘Clown’ 1985

·      Mercedes-Benz 1x90 ‘Like no other car’ 1988

·      Mitsubishi Magna 1x60 'Statues'1989

·      RAAF recruitment 1x30 'Antenna'1991

·      GM Calibra Launch 1x30 'Bridge'1991

·      GM Commodore 1x60 Launch 'World of Difference' 1991

·      Eunos 500 Launch 'Morphing'1992

·      Mitsubishi Magna Launch 1x45 'Airbag' 1994

·      Ford Taiwan Aztec Launch 1x30 'Wolf' 1995

·      Crown Casino Launch 'Million Dollar Jackpot' 1997

·      Melbourne Water 1x30 'Litter Critters' 1998

·      Vaseline Skin Firming Cream 1x30 'Cover up' 1998

·      Ferrero Rocher 1x30 'Golden Christmas' 1998

·      Cadbury Picnic 1x30 'Ugly'2000

·       TAC Drink/Drive 1x30 'See the Light' 2001

 Exhibition                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

In 2014 the Art Gallery of Ballarat (AGB) held the Imhoff retrospective Imhoff: a life of grain & pixels.

 Collections                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Imhoff has continually rejected offers from galleries, corporations and private collectors. Preferring to keep his archive in-tack as a one-off collection.

 Recognition                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

1971      A finalist in the national Ilford Photographic Competition titled Encounter with his entry ‘Black & White’.

1972      A finalistin the national Ilford Photographic Competition entitled Concern with his entry ‘The Age of Concern’

1977      Awardedthe ILFORD Perpetual Trophy, for the Highest scoring entry at the Institute of Australian Photography Annual Merit Awards (now the APPA’s).

1978      For the second year in a row, awardedthe ILFORD Perpetual Trophy, for the highest scoring entry at the IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) Annual Merit Awards (now the APPA’s).

1978      Conferredthe first 'Master' of the AIP (Institute of Australian Photography) (M.AIP - now M.AIPP).

1981      FACTS award (now Australian Television Awards), award for Professional Excellence. Category: Visual Effects. Client: BHP ‘Steel Can’

1981      Clio award. International TV/Cinema. Winner (category): Banking/ Financial. Client: National Bank of Australia 1x30 tvc ‘Flexiteller’

1984      The MADC (Melbourne Art Directors Club) awardfor Best Photography. Client: Singapore Airlines.

1985      The MADC (Melbourne Art Directors Club) awardfor Photography/Book Design. Client: Australian Dairy Corporation.

1985      Australian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) ‘Craft Award’- Television Production. Client: Shell Australia. Production: ‘Perspex Engine’.

1987      Awarded the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) National Print Awards. Don Taylor (memorial) Award for the Highest-scoring portfolio in the Portrait Category.

1987      Awarded an MADC (Melbourne Art Directors’ Club) Gold Award for ‘The Most Innovative use of Technology’ Client: Twining’s Tea (Television campaign).

In an era of new technology he had elected to use a traditional Hollywood technique of cell animation, highly disciplined laborious work that provided first class production values.

1987      Awarded an MADC (Melbourne Art Directors’ Club) award for the highly acclaimed Mercedes Benz commercial. Using in-camera techniques with innovative, highly disciplined structure, this was seen as the forefront of what was to follow with the introduction of the digital post production systems.

1988      LONDON International Advertising Awards finalistCategory: Automotive. Client: Mercedes Benz.

1988      Awardedan AADC (Adelaide Art Directors Club) Award for Photography. Client: State Bank of South Australia.

1992      The Melbourne Art Directors Club awardCategory: Best Colour Photography. Client: Self promotion (Pissing Santa - Christmas Card)

1993      Awarded an ATV (Australian Television Award) for the Eunos launch campaign (people morphing into cars). The Eunos campaign was later used by the American software company, as promotional material, at various conventions across America.

This production led to an Invitation from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to attend the American Film Institute’s ‘Jurassic Park Workshop’, held on the island of Kauai (the film’s location) where he had invaluable one-to-one meetings with many of the films leading production identities.

1998      Mobius award(America) – First Place Recognition - Television Commercial Category: Environmental issues and concerns. Client: Melbourne Water “Litter Critters”

2003      Judgedthe APPA-AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year.

2009      Recipientof ACMP/Photography industry testimonial ‘Roast Dinner’

2010      Bestowedthe honour of ‘Honorary Life Member’ of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.

2010      Finalist – Monash Gallery of Art (MGA) Bowness Photography Prize. Portrait: Keith Wagstaff, cinematographer.

2012      Hepburn Shire Council selected contributing artist – 150 years of Local Government. Portrait: John (Jack) Sewell, longstanding Creswick resident and local historian.

 Written contributions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

1980 - Contributing feature essay, The First Art Directors Guide to Photographers in Australia, later to become the Wizards of Oz annual.

1991 - Invited to write a foreword for the prestigious international annual Graphis Photo91 (accompanied with a self-portrait & folio examples)

1995-2004 - Annually edited and production managed the international showcase to Australian photography - The Fuji / ACMP Australian Photographers Collection.

1998 - Invited to create a host page City of Melbourne website. Ten informative pages titled 'My Melbourne'.

2002 - Researched and wrote a letter of support for the late Australian Photographer Peter Dombrovskis successful nomination to the International Photography Hall of Fame (USA).

2014 - Introduction and various essays - WriteLight published book Australian Contemporary Photographers series: Robert Imhoff

 Involvement with education                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

1979. Term 4. A relieving Head of the Photography Department at the School of Art and Design at Preston (later Phillip) Institute of Technology while Henry Talbot took leave to travel overseas. The position included final assessment of all folios.

During the 1980’s Imhoff was a Member of the Victorian Post-Secondary Education Accreditation Committee, under chairperson, Sir Eric Westbrook, for the re-accreditation of Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) at various campuses.

1999-2009. Member of the RMIT University, School of Creative Media, Photography, Program Advisory Committee (PAC).

 Speaking engagements & workshops                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Over four decades Imhoff was a keynote speaker at many conferences and held numerous workshops throughout the Australasian region.

1973      Panel Member/speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) convention, Hypo 73, (Melbourne).

1974      Keynote speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) state seminar held at Ballarat. Subject: ‘The poor standard of current professional photography’

1974      Guest speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) Queensland state chapter evening at David McCarthy Studio’s in Brisbane.

1977      Keynote speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) conference, Hypo 77, Gold Coast, Queensland.

1977      Keynote speaker - Ogilvy & Mather (International Advertising Agency) Australian conference. Subject: ‘Still Life Photography’

1978      Guest speaker - BADC (Brisbane Art Directors Club). Subject: ‘Why move overseas when overseas clients use you in and from Australia’.

1978      keynote speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) state chapter, seminar at Geelong. Subject: Portrait photography.

1978      Keynote speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) South Australian state convention, (Adelaide).

1978      Guest speaker - IAP (Institute of Australian Photography) State dinner in Canberra.

1979      ‘Group Ten’ (ten leading Australian wedding/portrait photographers). Conducted a two-day Imhoff workshop at a resort in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne.

1979      Keynote speaker - New Zealand Institute of Photography (NZIP} convention in Napier.

1980      Guest speaker - Bendigo College of Advanced Education, Department of Art and Design.

1980      Conducted a photography workshop at Hobart Technical College, Tasmania.

1981      Conducted a workshop - Photography Studies College (PSC), Melbourne.

1982      Invited, by the New Zealand photography trade suppliers to hold two, one-day (8 hour) ‘Imhoff Workshops’ Auckland and Wellington.

1986      Keynote speaker - Queensland Photography Convention ‘New Image 86’.

1990      Opening address - RMIT University BA Photography ‘Retrospective’ exhibition‘1970 -1980’.

1995      Keynote speaker - International ‘Design 95’ conference held at the World Trade Centre, Melbourne.

2001      Opening address at the ‘Eltham High School’ annual photography exhibition, Montsalvat, Eltham.

2006      Opening address - photographer Mike Leonard’s ‘Victoria landscapes’ exhibition, Lab X gallery, St Kilda.

2006      Guest speaker - AIPP(Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Melbourne. Subject ‘My Life as a photographer’

2006      Guest speaker - International food stylist seminar, Melbourne. Subject: Imhoff Food Photography

2006      Guest speaker – Photography department, Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe (NMIT)

2009      Speaker - launch of the Boroondara Stoke Support Group ‘Living with Stroke’ photography exhibition, Hawthorn Town Hall Gallery.

2009      Opening address as ACMP Patron - Projections 09 photography competitionscreening, presented by the ACMP in association with Sony.

2009      Guest speaker - AIPP(Australian Institute of Professional Photography) State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.

2009      Kodak sponsored Keynote speaker - NZIPP Infocus Conference, Wellington New Zealand. Three-two-hour lectures over three days.

2009      MC & speaker at the launch of the Boroondara Stoke Support Group ‘Living with Stroke’ photography exhibition as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB’09).

2010      Kodak sponsored speaker at the Australian Institute Professional Photography (AIPP) Tasmanian - Southern Exposure conference.

2010      Conducted a photography workshop at Hobart Technical College, Tasmania.

2010      Visiting lecturer - RMIT School of Media & Communication, photography

2010      Floor talk at Monash Gallery of Art (MGA) during the Bowness Photography Prize exhibition of which he was a participating artist.

2012      Monash Gallery of Art (MGA), Discover Duffy floor-talk. Theme: My commercial photography in the 1970s in Australia and the international reach of the work of Brian Duffy.

2014      Guest speaker – Image Chasers Group meeting, Melbourne

2014      Opening address – RMIT School of Media & Communication – Photography Graduate in Residence Exhibition

 Media interviews                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

1977. Live interview on ABC morning radio at the ABC’s Brisbane studio, following the delivery of a keynote lecture the previous day, at the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) convention Hypo 77 on the Gold Coast.

1999. Live television interview with Bert Newton on Good Morning Australia, promoting The Fuji ACMP Australian Photographers Collection.

2011. ABC Ballarat radio interview regarding UK photographer, the late Brian Duffy and his exhibition as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

2011. ABC television, Art Nation program, interview with Imhoff regarding UK photographer, the late Brian Duffy and his exhibition as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

2014. Miro Films produced the documentary Imhoff: a life of grain & pixels. Michel Lawrence in conversation with Robert Imhoff at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

 Reference / Published material                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

1971      Professional Photography in Australia magazine featured Imhoff as the lead cover story ‘The Making of a Photographer’.

1972      Cover and double page spread, May-June issue Professional Photography in Australia magazine.

1977      Professional Photography in Australia magazine featured Imhoff work as the lead cover story.

1977      ILFORD Australia used an Imhoff image in a national campaign for Cibachrome prints.

1977      Photo Graphis78 featured Imhoff work in the world-wide call for entries.

1978      Pro-Tech magazine (November/December issue) cover and feature article.

1979      An article in Australian Camera Annual titled, Seven of the Best - Australia’s Top Professionals talk about their personal involvement with photography.

1980      Contributing article The First Art Directors Guide To Photographers In Australia later to become the Wizards of Oz. (text & photographs)

1980      A double page Polaroid - Imhoff advertisement featuring two Polaroid commissioned images appeared in the world-wide publication Rotavision Photography. This gesture by Polaroid was a token of thanks for being Polaroid’s single/largest user of the 10x8 product.

1981      Interview – Profile in the trade magazine Advertising News by David Blackley, National Creative Director of Clemenger Advertising.

1981      Front cover and double page spread, January-February issue Professional Photography in Australia magazine.

1983      Article in the May-June edition of ‘Close Up’ New Zealand Photography magazine.

1991      Invited to write a foreword for the prestigious international annual Graphis Photo91 (Contributed text, self-portrait & folio examples)

1991      A double page article ‘Quiet Achiever’ March issue of Campaign Brief magazine.

1992      American college textbook Photography by Bruce Warren. Example of Visual - Attraction of Line – Mercedes Benz Emblem image.

1997      (Interview).Commercial Photography magazine, ‘The Agony and Ecstasy of the Fuji ACMP Collection Books’

2003      (December issue) Article - Australian photography magazine Capture. Subject: Taylors Wine – ‘The Wine Is Everything’ campaign.

2006      Six-page article ‘Masterpieces’ Australian Better Photography magazine (issue #44).

2006      Six-page article ‘Santa Cards’ Australian Better Photography magazine (issue #46).

2009      Foreword - BSSG (Boroondara Stoke Support Group)‘Living with Stroke’ catalogue.

2012      The History of Professional Photography in Australia - Paul Curtis

2014      WriteLight published the book Australian Contemporary Photographers series: Robert Imhoff to co-inside with the opening of the  Imhoff: a life of grain & pixels  retrospective exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

2014     Inspirational Imhoff article by Terry Lane The Age newspaper.

2014     Feature article, Paris based SAS L’Œil de la Photographie publication Eye of Photography