Boundaries - Conversation with the Global. Exhibition at the Cube

It's been a while since posting but I thought I would update this with a post from the current exhibition. I have selected only but a few pieces of work that are being exhibited.The exhibition has an eclectic mix of traditional print based work, to multi media presentations, and a large canvas.

These are from Marianne Van-Loo, Livia Lazar, Kev Pritchard and of course myself. Other Photographers have their work included making a total of 10 contributors.

From the outside looking in. A series by David Wade

Free postcards and a link card which allows the visitor to download an e-book

 David Wade's work are prints made on a high quality 'Metallic' paper which absorbs the light and refracts it creating a luminance. The Prints have been mounted on MDF board and stand 3/4 of inch away from the wall. The idea being that there should be no frame or glass to act as a barrier or constriction to the subject.

Kev Pritchard's work which looks at a Slate Quarry in North Wales

A High Quality Image invites the viewer to step inside a darken room. From the outside you can hear the wind blowing, and distant 'chinking' noises of slate being mined

Once inside chairs await the viewer allowing rest. The screen projects a series of images from the slate mine.

 Your senses are muted with a cool dark room, the only focus are the images in front of you. During the presentation the wind blows, and mine noises echo around you. A deep solemn voice echoes reading poetry - the combination creates a feeling of actually standing where the images were captured.

Livia Lazars exhibition of a series captured in Romania

The series reflects on the older values which are becoming lost in the country.

Livia's work creates a narrative which flows in the image selection. With beautiful composition the photographs are only but a few of a larger collection, all featured in a book and postcards. More of her work can be found here (link)

Marianne Van-Loo. Diesel for successful living

Included as part of the exhibition is a limited newspaper

Marianne's work is a series which reflects upon India's changing economy. "This series was inspired by Harpers' ideas on expanding sociological vision and Pragers' book Delirious Delhi. With this series I wanted to render social processes. In particular to document how the world's largest democracy (India) operates on a local level. Much of the services provided as seen in this series, will disappear in the future as India will open its door to Foreign Direct Investment. These are photographs of service providers in Pansheel Park, an enclave in south Delhi, where I currently live and work"

Marianne's Newspaper is in limited production and copies can be purchased here (link)

Vert Paris

Upon returning from a long weekend in Paris, I couldn't but help notice a reoccurring colour in my photography. I suppose you could quite simply quantify that as the images were captured outside, it would be the case! But for me it has become a theme to this small collection - Vert Paris!

If I think I can I know I can 

Low Light

Vert ecologique

I love my shoes

I can hide 

Park Life

My conversation

Missed the party

Amore

Meadow Street Preston - The Shutters

I happen to live in this local area, and I've always been curious about these brightly painted shutters. I can't think how long ago it must have been, but I myself was a former 'Aerosolic artist' - So seeing these around the area had always had me interested.

It's not often that you fall upon a photographic opportunity. In fact what I should say it's not often that your eyes are not open to a photographic opportunity. Thankfully this Sunday my eyes were well and truly focused.

I was lucky enough to meet the artist 'Moot' and the instigator Robin Maudsley. It seems that the project has been going for some time now, and has received some funding from the Arts council. The rest of the funding was put forward by a Local Members Grant, through County Councillor Carl Crompton. It seems that 'Moot' donated his time for free to help complete the project!

The idea behind the project came from Robin, and working with Moot, they've been able to create something inspirational from something mundane.

Moot starts work on making another creative addition to the otherwise plain shutters

Local people are celebrated along the streets security shutters

The artists palet 

To really appreciate this project you have to visit the street at closing time. Oddly enough perhaps not what the local businesses might like; but despite this they all want their shutters painting next! At the time a local Jewellery store was making inquiries.

layers of paint are applied to build up the desired effect

The paintings are updated keeping the look fresh, and relevant to local events

Local children look on inspired and ask questions what is coming next!

This time it's a simple refresh and something to celebrate the Olympics. 

'Moot' The artist and Robin Maudsley the man who started the project. 

Both Moot and Robin look on discussing the updates, and plans for the next artistic creation

Moot is looking for more projects around the city. It's worth looking at his blog (link) where you can see more of his work; or if like me you are local to Preston, just take a stroll down Meadow street... you never know who you'll see at work

Her mother in her eyes

A couple of weeks ago I took delivery of the latest Nikon DSLR. I've been running a few tests before starting to work the camera to it's full potential. One thing so far that I have concluded is that it is incredible.

I've cropped into this shot from a shoot on Sunday - which really says it all

These files have been reduced in size considerably but what an fantastic bit of kit!

The Western Wall - Jerusalem

One of the most sacred places for members of Judaism to pray, the Western Wall or otherwise referred to as the 'Wailing Wall' is without question one of the most visited parts of Jerusalem. The most exposed section measures some 57 meters across, and 19 meters above ground that you can see.

There is a common practice for pilgrims to place there prayers on notes of paper, in the cracks formed between the large stones. The idea being that the wishes are more likely to be heard. Also at the same time many people will come and pray at the same time.

The only restriction is that you  must cover your head, they offered Kippah's for you to borrow. Also women are not permitted to pray at the same section as the men. The wall is then divided approximately 3/4 to men and 1/4 to women.

I've selected a few images taken, presented in B/W more are available through Flickr (where I've started to upload my images for sale) (link)

Hopefully this selection will convey the daily atmosphere of the Wall in Israel.

The Western Wall is easily found following the dominant 'Dome of the Rock'

All ages attend the wall together

The Wall is crammed full of small notes into every millimeter

Prayers are repeated over and over

The scale of the wall only becomes visible at a distance

Prayers are written with hope of being answered

Even Prayers are whispered to the Wall

A single place of shade offered from the midday heat

Even Soldiers visit the wall with hopes

Back in the studio

It's been a long time since I posted on my blog. This was mainly due to finishing a Thesis for my Masters, that and many other things just piling up. Well I passed my Masters in photography with a Merit grade... I was really pleased with this as I have no under-grad qualifications. So all my work was started from a few runs up the ladder. It's over it's done and now like anything the real learning begins.

I've just quickly converted one of the shots from today. It was taken by myself at a demo day for Broncolor lighting. The camera this was shot on was the Hassleblad HD4, with a mighty 50 mega pixel back. I also switched between my Nikon D700 with a 70-200 2.8 ED lens (only 12 mega pixels) I wanted to see the differences and the feel of two ways of shooting. There was a big difference, but like anything you have a 4x4 for snow and sports car for sunny days. (well you do in the world of this kit)

The image below really does no justice to image quality of the file, it's huge and massive beyond reason... I'm sure the model will hate me for it, but you can even see the hairs in her nose. Anyway enough babble the image... (space left for text cover usage etc.)

And yes it was great getting back into a studio... watch this space for more updates!

From the outside looking in...

I have just completed editing and print making for a forthcoming exhibition. I've added two of the featured image below. The project titled. 'From the outside looking in.. portraits given on the streets of Istanbul' is an exploration into many different dimensions of street photography. I set myself a challenge of photographing people on the street, but only asking for their permission first - hence 'given' in the sub-title.

Questions which the project opened were, 'Is it possible to represent a city from street portraiture?' - 'Is it possible for a outsider 'foreigner' to a city understand it's people?'

I utilised many different methodologies during this project, to start with the very first visit employed a Dérive of the city. However upon reflection this resulted in a very small capture; so upon consultation my return visit was far more informed. I would visit many different districts, and consider the time of day and the type of people I would encounter.

Without wishing to label or stereotype people I titled each image by the location, time and date. The mounting and print type have been considered, along with finish and location within exhibition. At the exhibition there will be cards for people to take; these include a special code which allows a complimentary download of an e-book of the exhibition - This again is considered as the portraits were 'given' and not taken. However of course sales of prints will be available and limited to production of only 10 per image.

I'll post details soon of the opening as dates are confirmed.

Çeşme Sk. Taksim 13:23  3/8/11

Tesvikiye Cd. Nisantasi 16:34  8/8/11