Cassinia, also called Coffee Bush, is a plant associated with regeneration and survival. Referred to as a pioneer plant it is often the first growth to occur in disturbed, damaged and bare earth.

Using expired black and whie light sensitive gelatin silver photographic paper [ie paper that is usually used under safelights in the darkroom], take a sheet outside into daylight, place an object onto it and expose it to uv light for between 5 hours and several days depending on the density/transluscence of the object the light has to travel through.

The image can be ‘fixed’ in the darkroom which makes it permanent. It also reduces it back to the original black and white tones.

If the paper is not chemically ‘fixed’ in a darkroom, it begins to fade and eventually disappears. Julie Millowick does not fix her Lumen prints, but immediately digitises them. This method creates a lasting copy that includes the subtle ‘non-black and white’ tones/colours.

In 1977, after graduating from Prahran College, whilst continuing her personal documentary work, Julie also began the challenge of breaking into industrial photography. In 2021, Angela Lynkushka wrote: Your industry work is pivotal....for women. You pioneered this male-dominated area.

Hard-won clients included Mayne Nickless, Shell, Arts Centre Melbourne, BP, Wool Corporation, Wheat Board. During1977 she was included in Australian New Work curated by and exhibited at the NGV. In 1993, with Sally Mann, Nan Goldin and Jacques-Henri Lartigue, her images were exhibited in Intimate Lives, International Fotofeis, Edinburgh. In 2024, Castlemaine Art Museum exhibited Surrounding, a 37-year documentation [including Lumens] of the post-goldrush environment surrounding her house. Collections: NGA, NLA, MAPh, SLV, NGV.

Julie writes: Photography is my life, the very core of my being.

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