Originally seen on PIC’s Noticeboard. Thanks.
Archive for the ‘BLOG’ Category
Some thoughts from Daido Moriyama…
Monday, January 31st, 2011Creative Truth Telling
Friday, January 21st, 2011Currently in South Africa, whilst indulging in some extra time to get some head space and consider the year ahead, I came accross this great interview on the 99% with Francis Ford Coppola on; risk, money, craft & collaboration by Ariston Anderson.
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The quote that drew my attention was this:
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve given to your children, inside and outside of the industry?
A: Always make your work be personal…read the rest of his answer here.
Originally seen at A Photo Editor. Thanks.
2010 Losing Signal | Christmas & New Year’s Wishes
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010The end of the year.
For some reason, this year seemed endless. So I, for one, am pleased to be tuning out of 2010.
I will leave this years blogging with a simple, but sincere ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’. Love every minute of life and those around you, whatever you are doing, and wherever you are, life is a amazing gift and you just don’t know when you could start losing signal.
Losing Signal, 2010
I hope the best for you in 2011 and thanks for reading.
Month 11
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010Those partial to facial hair; who are supporting men’s health, kudos to you. Those who know someone who actually has cancer my heart goes out to you. Those all over the world who have been in contact since my recent family news, thank you. Those who have shared how people you know have been healed,
I’m keeping the faith……
Month 11
Destroying the Essential; for the sake of the Superfluous…
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010I have been captivated and moved by the work of photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand , since visiting the ‘Earth from the Air’ exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.
The aspect that sets Yann apart from many other photographers / people is the underlying importance of the message in his work.
The message from ‘HOME’ for me is a simple one concerning beauty (earth) and greed (humanity). I wasn’t really prepared for the impact ‘HOME’ would have and how it would subsequently keep playing on both my sub concious and my conscience.
Whoever you are, or wherever you live, this film is relevant to you…go and buy this film, or at very least watch it (for free) on-line:
The photography is awe inspiring and deeply emotive, fantastically composed and inspirational. The message is sobering. Whether or not you have any kind of faith or ‘spiritual’ bent I find the movie intrinsicly linked to this statement from the Bible: ‘Each of us will have to give a personal account to God’. Romans 14:12 I am not here to give a sermon, but we are responsible for our planet and we have to take responsibility for our actions, and at very least make some part of our lives / work in some way help to save the planet.
As the movie describes, the lesson is there to learn from Easter Island, but it seems like we have not learned it.
To summarise, take Dubai, as illustrated in the film – a place so unnaturally focused on growth and development, pillaging and raping the earth to get to where it is, it then ships in all the essentials you need for daily life: food & water, etc..to the extent that the very essentials it needs to survive are not as important as the superfluous beast that it is…look in the mirror and I guess you will find there’s a little ‘Dubai’ in each of us.
See Yann’s Charities and find out more here: www.goodplanet.org
Watch the movie here: www.youtube.com/homeproject
creating visual impact
Saturday, August 28th, 2010This stage set is simply about visual impact.
Artificial light
Projection
Colour
Motion
(Noise)
and ultimately Experience…
…the announcement that U2 will be bringing the 360° Tour to Australia, reminded me to re-visit a few clips I took at the concert in London a year ago this time…(see a few more here)… I wasn’t there to video or photograph but just to savour the best around in terms of stadium concert visual impact…and for visual impact this concert has to rate right up there. I have certainly never seen anything like it in a live setting. To understand more about the concept design read:this.
Like most intelligent creative ideas, it’s the strength of an original concept, well executed and completed, which creates the best result. If you are interested in seeing this kind of creativity I can think of few better ways of spending an evening ‘soaking up’ some of the best ‘creative visual impact’ the world has on offer; whilst simultaneously, listening to (arguably) the best rock group on the planet.
I have never left a U2 concert feeling uninspired, photographically or otherwise.
inspiration vs. imitation…
Saturday, July 31st, 2010I am not a sports photographer.
But, I am inspired by great sports photographs and the images in this years 2010 red bull illume competition…(as emailed to me yesterday) are no exception.
But, there is a difference between inspiration and imitation.
Earlier this morning, I had a few bizzare moments that photographer’s amongst you are probably familiar with – where another ”photographer” (or two in this case) tries and not very convincingly ‘copy’ the shot you are composing, whilst you are there! ..it’s happened before and will again but, I always find it comical/sad that some ”photographers” will literally do this in front of you, rather than try and create or see something in the moment for themselves.
I could have pointed my camera at my own backside and they might well have looked to see what the shot was…
If you are looking for some inspiration here’s a great place to start…or alternatively wake up earlier.
STOP: Security Check!
Sunday, July 11th, 2010
Eastern Cape, South Africa 5:21AM
Apologies to everyone who has recently posted comments on the BLOG, seems the SPAM catcher has been in overdrive and a number of posts have been inadvertantly deleted.
If you have the time to re-post, pelase do and I will respond individually. Thanks.
bangkok(dangerous)
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010Things have clearly been a bit crazy in Thailand …and it’s easy with the news bombarding us every minute to skim over such articles and events, placing war, rebellion, injustice…etc next to sport or financial highlights…but, when you get sent a link to a specific ‘situation’, it brings it all a little closer…what’s someone’s news, is someone else’s reality.
I don’t think we all can be, or want to be James Nachtwey, but those photographers who are out there ‘documenting someone else’s reality’ need to be given recognition – for helping us to wake-up … while we ‘the rest of us’ sit in relative comfort.
The video above is a simple, unedited, real, close-up view of a little part of the current Thailand events by Alan James. Feedback via YouTube…
I for one, will take some more notice of the situation; and at very least start asking the question…what is this all about?
After having the privilege of hearing Ken Duncan speak and workshop over the last 2 weekends, I’d like to take a leaf from his book, and suggest a little communicating with God (esp. in light of world events) sounds like a very good idea.
Whether it’s about a volcano in your ‘backyard’ or a capital full of protestors.
the girl in the ruined house…
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010As I have been updating my website, here’s an update on some of my new work – which can be viewed by selecting this link:
the girl in the ruined house stock photography
Ken Duncan: Life’s an Adventure
Sunday, April 18th, 2010Just a heads up if you are into Landscape Photography (and possibly could do with a long overdue visit to Church), Ken Duncan, arguably Australia’s leading Panoramic/Landscape Photographer will be speaking at Subiaco Church in Perth on the 8th and 9th of May 2010.
I have scanned a copy of the flyer attached I received today if you’re interested with further details.
Recognise the main image? It’s the cover photograph to Midnight Oil’s Diesel & Dust album….say no more…but to quote the flyer:
‘…Ken Duncan: Life’s an Adventure. Featuring many rare or never-before-published photographs, we invite you to come and see his artwork and hear his spiritual journey over the past 25 years.’
See you there…
World Press Photo & Nikon-Walkley Photographic Finalists Exhibition – Western Australian Museum, Perth
Sunday, April 18th, 2010***WARNING LINKS CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES***
So, I just got back from the World Press Photo and Nikon-Walkley Photographic Exhibition in Northbridge (Perth), both on exhibit, as part of the FOTOFREO 2010 Exhibition at the Western Australian Museum.
I highly suggest if you are into journalistic photography or just need to catch a wake-up call as to what a crazy, messed up state the world is in…and maybe need to realise how fortunate you are…I suggest; if you are not having a cold beer watching the Red Bull Air Race, you get on down there immediately before the exhibition closes today.
faith, interference + image
Saturday, March 6th, 2010“In your teens you feel like you can drive that car as fast as you can and you won’t come off at the bend. In your twenties, you have some near misses. In your thirties you realize you are in danger. And in your forties, I think you are just really glad if you wake up in the morning. “
Bono (page 299, from U2 by U2, the last of the rock stars, 1998-2001)
I have spent the last few hours sitting on the couch flipping through U2 by U2, a book by journalist and music critic Neil Mccormick.
Having been a U2 fan since about 11 years old there are obvious reasons as to why this large coffee table book is in my collection; the largely unpublished personal snapshots and the incredible cross section of Anton Corbijn’s photography come to mind… but primarily, I have – over the years – an increasing interest with the personal journey of Bono ‘the man’, outside of, the band.
I continue to find his ‘striving’ (for lack of a better word), to balance faith, music, family, success and (somehow combine this with an agenda for helping) those in need, to be an incredible source of inspiration.
Bono & the Edge on stage at Wembley Arena, London, August 2009. Photograph Douglas Mark Black
What are we on earth to do?
How does this affect our creative indulgences and visions?
What does this mean for the photography I take and expose to the world?
How will this affect the day that I meet my maker?
Can I be accountable for my time and actions?
Has any of what I produce, contributed to or been beneficial to anyone?
Has it helped?
Or, to paraphrase Warhol, has it just been for the indulgent 15 minutes of fame…as tantalizing as that appears?
How will all these thoughts affect today, the way forward, my photography and my life?
Does any of it matter?
“For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
2009.6 retrospective: A long road through the Karoo…
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
A long road through the Karoo
…and out of South Africa (for now)…
Trying to capture a ‘best of’ retrospective set of images from South Africa has proved near impossible – too many images – too many subjects – too much personal connection – so I am going to wrap it up with this image taken on the road that runs from Middelburg through Graaff Reinet to Cape Town. It’s a long, straight and hot journey especially at 3pm on a Sunday afternooon when every cornershop inland seems to be closed…
About the photograph:
‘This photograph is taken on the N2 road to Cape Town, The Glen (my mother’s ‘family farm’), outside Graaff-Reniet, Eastern Cape South Africa, sits nestled among the taller vegetation to the centre of the image.
…if, like me, you haven’t been ‘home’ for a long time, go, look at your grandparents gravestones, smell the air, taste the food, remember your heritage, take a deep breath, give thanks you can, and go on…’
2009.5 retrospective: Contemplating district 9 & the charging white rhinoceros…
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Contemplating district 9.
South Africa is a land with substantial ‘visual interest’, and it’s often, as I have previously mentioned, not where you would expect to find it.
Take DISTRICT 9 for example, and the unlikely yet complex visual backdrop to the film.
10/10 for originality and juxtapositioning of ideas.
The film, along with a few others recently set in South Africa (disgrace, invictus..), has been on my ‘watch-list’ since it’s release, and, it is brilliantly original. The political and social references continue to re-play long after the last scene…watch it; even if sci-fi is not your thing.
&
Charging White Rhinoceros, Mpofu Game Reserve, South Africathe charging white rhinoceros
SITUATION: MPOFU GAME RESERVE
LOCATION: EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA (Approx 3-4 hrs drive inland from Port Elizabeth, some would say out of the way…)
TIME: 07:23:50 (22.05.2009)
SUBJECT: CHARGING WHITE RHINO
FOCAL LENGTH / APERTURE : 450mm F/2.8
POST PRODUCTION: ADOBE CS3
About the photograph:
‘You just do not get to see this everyday…’
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2009.4 retrospective – inspired by disgrace
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010JM Coetzee, John Malkovich, Eastern Cape, South Africa…a recipe for something of interest…disgrace.
If you have been following the retrospective posts you will be aware of the time I spent in South Africa last year – in the heart of the Eastern Cape – 100 kilometers from Grahamstown – it’s currently a dry place where ‘post-apartheid’ South Africa doesn’t neccesarily carry the same understanding as it may in other parts of the world…the film is worth watching…
'small town, eastern cape'
About the photograph:
‘small town, eastern cape’, Adelaide, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2009′
View from ‘Nel’s Hill’ over the town of Adelaide, with the Winterberg Mountains in the background.
_dmb
Watch the film…
Learning from the Sign
Thursday, December 24th, 2009It’s been 24 days since I started my experimental series of mobile images ‘the sign on the side of the road’…
Some lessons I am taking/reminding myself of, which may resonate somewhere:
1. Basic shots are easy to see and take…but; good is the enemy of great…that’s someone’s famous quote I am sure of it? …anyone?
2. You have to get over the figure and ground principles to start seeing images within images…
3. Lazy photography has no place…
4. There is merit in quick photography and reactions (if you are doing wildlife, sports or journalism) but for fine art patience and time are required…at the very least…
5. Sometimes things just look better in black and white…
6. Sometimes they look better in color…
7. There’s a photo opportunity at every turn – just look – or stop trying so hard to look…
8. Sometimes you need to expand your parameters to get the shot…
9. It’s better to take more photos than less…
10. Don’t stick to too many rules they will throttle you…
The sign on the side of the road experimental series…the photographic parameters
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009Ever since my second year at University, the notions of building vs sign, figure vs ground and the ideas raised by books such as Learning from Las Vegas (The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form) by Robert Venturi have been of continued interest that I have been wanting to explore photographically in some form or other.
Having followed with interest von_brandis’ fantastic exploration of signage here and feeling the need to pursue a daily creative yet ‘low-fi’ approach to a theme of sign based photographs I have decided to spend December doing a shot a day of the sign on the side of the road.
The parameters:
Shoot with a mobile cameraphone, stick to one daily route into and out of the centre of town, black and white only, compose sign and immediate surrounds in a geometeric manner; that neither focuses on the surroundings or the sign/signage only,but rather, the compositional relationship between the 2 subjects, shoot within 30 seconds of ‘seeing’ the sign, minimal post processing, and lastly, add noise.
The other side…
Sunday, November 29th, 2009It has been well over 2 months since I last blogged and almost as long since I picked up my camera with any degree of seriousness, or, to be honest, enthusiasm.
Alot has gone down, but we are now literally, on the other side (of the world), as well as, (I am hoping) on the other side of my creative detour. Theres been the odd moment of enjoyment with a competition win here, an awesome capture there, but on the whole, to have had some time out to get perspective has been well needed.
I recommend switching off your ipod, not logging into twitter and not surfing the net – not only as a good idea – but as an essential part of re-evaluating and re-inspiring your creativity or just general life.
Given time to think about: sameness vs. originality, more vs. less, quality vs. quantity, fear vs. courage and the general brevity of life…amongst other things wakes you up.
I think it was Oliver Wendell Holmes who said; ‘The human mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
What a great line.
Restart + Reboot.
Monday, September 14th, 2009It’s been a month since my last blog post.
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Q: Why might someone who is trying to promote their photography take a off month between posts?
…and while I am at it, take another few before the next one…?
A: Because someone may have lost direction, taken a detour?
Back in February I caught a post on Chase Jarvis’ brilliant blog (link here) to a video by the photographer Zack Arias, entitled: Transform. (watch it here) .
STOP.
Seriously.
If you are into any creative endevour watch it.
Thanks Zack.
Sometimes, we do just have to transform, and to nick the U2 lyrics from ‘unkown caller’:
RESTART AND REBOOT YOURSELF…
I have been in Perth, WA now for two weeks, having moved accross the world from London…so it’s the new home at least for now and I have decided to take some time out do just that.
NO BLOG. NO TWEETS.NO PHOTOS.
Catch you on the other side…
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