Master Vernon Low, Chief Instructor John O’Brien, and a contingent of senior South Australian instructors visited Perth recently for First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia’s spring grading examination. The afternoon segment of the event started with adult black belt gradings.
The highlight of the afternoon was the examination for one instructor’s promotion to the rank of 2nd Dan. Following comprehensive demonstrations of self-defence techniques, extensive breaking techniques, patterns, and sparring, the candidate was successful. He received his new belt from Master Low, and his degree certificate from Chief Instructor O’Brien.
Most of the afternoon was taken up with the senior coloured belt grading examinations. These were not as demanding as the black belt gradings, but nonetheless tested the candidates on their knowledge, techniques, mental focus, and determination.
At the end of the day, Master Low, Chief Instructor O’Brien, Chief Instructor (WA) Meade, senior WA instructors, and visiting senior SA instructors stood together for a group portrait. Normally, I would have used a wider angle lens for this purpose, but there was enough room to capture the group with my 85 mm lens, and that lens is perfectly capable of rendering a pleasing image—whether of a group or an individual.
The lighting in this venue has a distinct yellow cast to it, but shooting in RAW mode and post-processing appropriately allowed me to produce images as if under neutral lighting.