Parkinson's propels Brisbane photographer into gallery star

PHOTO: Budding Brisbane artist Mary-Louise Levick uses her Parkinson's disease to capture her signature style photos. This is a photo of the Story Bridge in Brisbane. September 2015. (Supplied: Mary-Louise Levick)

Like all great photographers, Brisbane's Mary-Louise Levick spends most of her time in pursuit of the perfect shot.

But when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 34, the budding artist was literally forced to shake things up.

Ms Levick had her first symptoms at age 30 when she noticed a tremor in her thumb.

About three years later, when she began to struggle writing, doctors suspected she had Parkinson's disease.

At the same time, Ms Levick was just beginning to explore her passion for photography.

PHOTO: Mary-Louise Levick's diagnosis of Parkinsons disease in her 30s helped her create her own style. (Supplied: Luka Esenko)

She sought out a mentor in fellow photographer Marcus Bell to learn how to use her camera properly, but from their relationship an idea blossomed.

"We started talking about the Parkinson's side of things and how it would affect my photography, especially into the future," Ms Levick said.

"And that was when he (Marcus) told me; you know 'go with it'.

"He said 'if you want to stand out in the crowd, you've got to come up with something different'."

It was from these discussions that Ms Levick's signature style, the "Parkinson's disease effect", or "PD effect", was born.

Initially, Ms Levick would just let the tremor go and whatever the result. 

Now she focuses and plans the photograph, taking in the tremor component of it.

"Because I'm still initially I can get the still shots," Ms Levick said.

"But then my tremor starts and you're using lights, you know that as soon as you move the camera you get a pattern."

Mr Bell felt compelled to work with Ms Levick, despite rarely agreeing to one-on-one workshops. 

"It really intrigued me," he said.

"I was able to resonate and understand a little because of my own experiences, with my mum having Parkinson's."

'PD effect' exhibition opening most successful in gallery's history

A collection of Ms Levick's "PD effect" images are currently on display at a Maud Creative, a photographic gallery in Newstead.

The exhibition had the most successful opening in the gallery's history.

"It's not about the sharpness or the perfect picture, it's about the essence of the image," gallery owner Irena Prikryl said.

"I just thought her [Mary-Louise's] passion and enthusiasm for life was just something incredible, and something to show to everybody."

She described Ms Levick's photography as unique and inspiring, and said it highlighted the beauty in imperfection.

"I can see the technique but I think the unintentional movement is so unique that I don't think you could reproduce it, I don't think you could recreate it," Ms Prikryl said.

http://health.einnews.com/article/285912979/6ztAzMKnkBmx30im