Read All About It...

Image copyright Andy Glinka

I didn't actually read the story, guess you don't really need to! But I  do love a wee bit of sensationalism to try and sell a newspaper. Utter crap and but worth photographing.

The wise words of the people of Mancunia

Image copyright on all images Andy Glinka

I love snapping the little notes people leave for each other. Here are a few from a larger selection from in and around Manchester.

Mark Rothko... ?

Image copyright Andy Glinka 2011

Image copyright Mark Rothko

Photo of the week - Todd Hido

Image copyright Todd Hido

Taken from the series "Ohio". Old family snapshots and photographs taken by Todd as a child blend seamlessly with current photographs that were taken using the same camera. Todd has crafted a delicate and raw narrative of the failed American family dream.

Reet up my street

DOUG DUBOIS

For anyone who is in Belfast or can get to Belfast on July 14th then go see this. I can't believe it. (Hence the title of this post being in capitals!) One of my favourite photographers, Doug Dubois is giving a talk at Belfast Exposed Photography. I'd love to go but I can't! If you can make it then I suggest you do. Dubois is one of the most under-rated photographers out there. In  fact Alec Soth described him as the MOST under-rated American photographer.

For a look at Dubois' work look HERE
For more info on the talk check out HERE

Photo of the week - Nadav Kander

Image copyright Nadav Kander

I went to the Lowry on Monday to see the Nadav Kander portrait exhibition. Frigging brilliant stuff. I generally find photographs of 'celebrities' a bit cliche. Kander's are quality. Simple as. They are creative, sinister, humorous, beautiful and epic all at the same time. I know it's a cheesy thing to say, and at the risk of sounding like an old lecturer of mine but "its all about the light". The above portrait of the iconic Sophia Loren was my personal favourite but they were all great photographs.

As previously mentioned, the works are on show at the Lowry until 4th September 2011 and its FREE in so go check them out. You need to see them in the fleash to fully appreciate them.

Baby Eyes

As a newborn, a baby can't focus farther than 8 to 15 inches away. At greater distances, they can detect light, shapes, and movement but it's all pretty blurry. As a new father, I've started trying to see the world as my daughter see's it, from her point of view...

Image Copyright Andy Glinka

Photo of the week - Riot Kiss

A couple are seen in the middle of the Vancouver riot after the Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup decider. Photograph: Rich Lam/Getty Images

I'm going to start doing a 'Photo of the week'. New, old, professional or ameture... I'll be selecting a photograph each week that really tickles my fancy.

This one, shared by many 'Tweeters' over the last week was shot during the riots in Vancouver after some ice hockey game. It looks like some advert for Lynx but despite that I think its bloody ace. Right time, right place - great execution.

The photographer was being buffeted by rioters and riot police when he spotted the couple. "I was about 20 or 30 yards away," he said. "There were these two people on the ground in this empty street. Initially I thought one of them was hurt." He took a few shots and then the moment was lost.

"It was complete chaos. Rioters set two cars on fire and then I saw looters break the window at a neighbouring department store," he said.

"At that point, the riot police charged right towards us. After I stopped running, I noticed in the space behind the line of police that two people were lying in the street with the riot police and a raging fire just beyond them.

"I knew I had captured a 'moment' when I snapped the still forms against the backdrop of such chaos but it wasn't until later when I returned to the rink to file my photos that my editor pointed out that the two people were not hurt, but kissing."


I have read that this is the greatest photo of all time, bollox! Don't be silly. It is though a top photo that captures something beautiful in a world where rioting seems to be an everyday event.

Grand

Alec Soth

I like Alec Soth. Love hearing what he has to say... a real cool guy and top photographer. Also, check out his blog. Its fan-dabby-dozy! http://littlebrownmushroom.wordpress.com/

University of Bolton Photography Degree Show

Image copyright Rebecca Dixon

Bolton might not be the first place you think of when it comes to a hub of creativity. But the standard of photography at the University of Bolton is getting better every year - the best of Bolton is at least on a par with its nearest rivals (MMU and Stockport), if not outshining them. Don't be put off by the degree posters, they are as naff as they come, but there are some really talented and creative works on show. The thing about the work is that it seems sincere, its not surrounded by highbrow pompousness, yet there is a lot of high class sophistication on show (as well as some weaker bodies of work, as you get in many degree shows)

The work on offer at Bolton is varied, interesting and inspiring. From in your face, large format Photographs to some delicate and beautiful 6x6 images to the surreal and quirky... it has a real mix of styles and genres and definitely ticks the box of having quality.

Whilst there are lots of peoples work that left me thinking wow! My personal favourites are Rebecca Dixon's medium format photographs which were both quirky and beautiful and Jon Fitton's photographs of Kosovo. Both technically and creatively brilliant.
In terms of the arts, The University of Bolton degree show is a good show but for me the photography show is definitely the highlight.

The show is only on  until this Thursday (23rd June) http://www.bolton.ac.uk/CreativeShow/Home.aspx
so get down tomorrow if you can.
Oh, one last thing... my only real gripe is the lack of access to people's work via the tinternet... please get a website guys, they're free!

What, where and when

Now that summer has arrived, days out are being planned and students are finishing their degree's. Well fear not, there's lots to go and see and do...


1. Liverpool International Photography Festival
A fantastic array of work from photographers from all over. It's great to see a city (in the north) putting together a festival dedicated just to photography that is THIS GOOD.
Featuring Paul Graham and a body of work that inspired me so much through my college years. Got a couple of days spare, then get yourselves down/up/across to Liverpool and take a ganders.

   

   

Image copyright Ian Berry (showing at the LPF)

Various Locations throughout Liverpool

Showing Now until various dates (see web site link for more details) (Paul Graham exhibition runs until 26th June so hurry up!)

http://www.look2011.co.uk/

2.  CECIL BEATON, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH

3.  NADAV KANDER: SELECTED PORTRAITS, 1999 - 2011, THE LOWRY

I love the IWM North and The Lowry. There forever putting on great documentary photography exhibitions. So hats off. Side by side (The lowry is next door the IWMN) you can do these in a day, as well as look at some shit shops in that place where all the shops seem to be shut... something outlet -me-jig). Anyway, The Cecil Beaton one is an external display of 6 of his iconic Second World War shipyard images in huge 5meter high frames. 

On now until 30th June

http://north.iwm.org.uk/server/show/conEvent.3392

Nadav Kander's exhibition (what a flipping great photographer) showcases some iconic, never before exhibited portraits, including the one and only Eric Cantona.

Image copyright Nadav Kander

Showing now until 4th September

4. LONDON STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSEUM OF LONDON

It's not a genre of photography I actively take part in myself but I love a bit of street photography and I love group exhibitions, this one features 59 photographers (always guaranteed to walk away with a new exciting name to shout home about).

Image copyright Bob Collins

On now until 4th September 2011. Entry Free

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Exhibitions-Displays/London-Street-Photography/

There's plenty more going on all over the UK (i've only mentioned one in London a) because I'm a Manc and biased towards the north and b) there is so much going on in London that your already spoilt for choice!

These 4 are well worth a visit and might just inspire you to dust down your own camera.

Greetings...

... to one and all. 

I'm starting a new BLOG! I used to co-run Cause and Effect, which is now defunct (gas bill issues!!!). 

Untitled #96  is a very similar project but focusing more on photography.

I will be running competitions, collaborations, exhibition opportunities and sharing lots of opinions about what I like and don't like. I welcome any comments, opinions, contributions.

... stay tuned.