Thought of the day....

And so it would seem there are a few very talented people following my little blog.
I find my B-Mode is becoming very good therapy and a joy most of the time. Tonge in cheek it maybe but this humble blog has made me really look and most importantly enjoy other peoples work and I hope you both feel the same.
What would really make my day is if people started to comment, but I am not about to reel off broad sweeping statements just to get reactions, I'm not that kind of guy.
Film is better than Digital.

Calling Kipp....

Now and again I come across photographers that bowl me over in there technical skills. In this American dominated blog (at least at the moment it would seem) here is yet another photographer that fits the bill and leaves a tip.
Kipp Wettstein not only has an abundance of fine work he also builds his own cameras, and my they look the business. Not only that but theres a whole section on his site devoted to the building of these fine beasts.
I have often thought of building my own camera but the thought of all that testing and measurements makes my head spin. But to have a camera built to your very own spec must be nice. I have had my 5/4 camera for about ten years now and its been in extreme heat, extreme cold, heavy rain many times, sea spray, dropped in a deep mud pool (only last week), and survived many trips overseas. Its held together with 'Duct Tape' and now looks like I did an A-Team creation put it together in a prison cell using bits of fluff.
Maybe its time to give Kipp a call.

Donations are now being taken.

Shot Of The Week...Yeeee Haaaaa...

The work of Matthew Porter is just fine fabulous.
It may come of no surprise that he is a graduate of Bard College and taught under Stephen Shore. How great to be taught by someone like Shore. I can't even remember the name of my tutors. I remeber one of them talking about nothing but Grey Cards for exposure purposes and how he once had to select perfect round peas for a Birds Eye shoot (no photo shop back in the 1900's) and thats about it. Most of my time at college was spent chasing girls and dancing, but of course now I just dance....
Anyway back to Matthew Porter and his brilliant images. I think his website is very confident in its arrangement of photography (see for yourself) as he has mixed some of the images in with things that are out of context and somehow it works.

Lifting the mood...

After my last very serious post I thought I better look at something a little more light.
I stumbled upon the work of Russ Quakenbush very much by accident. Never heard of him before, very surprising with a name like that, but have to say that his work has such a wonderful element of dry humour to it, at least I hope this is the case otherwise I am in trouble...
There is a mountain of work on his website and I am sure it will leave you smiling, especially the Muscle Beach segment which is fantastically observed right down to the last image (couldn't find a copy online) of Governor Swarchenegger (still baffles me) arm wrestling a member of the public....Brilliant...

I guess now is a good time to point out that I am not a fan of 'very serious' photography, or for that matter 'very serious Photographers' particularly within the landscape field. This of course does not mean I do not admire the serious 'Photo Journalist' or 'Documentary Photographer' as they have a very important place. I am pointing more at the perfecto, deadpan, my monotone building is very serious type of photographer who likes to talk about straight lines and critical exposure, composition, and vitamins. Dull as dishwater and as happy as a beached whale. Enough said.

What is one to do.....

I felt I should mention the recent events involving the photographer Bill Henson who's exhibition was shut down due to its content. Theres a really good piece here on the conscientious blog. There are also links to stories of similar cases including Tierney Gearon who I wanted to write a little about on my own blog.
I first met Tierney when I was an apprentice black and went printer (not again I hear you cry...). Over the years I printed hundreds of her B&W images (she shot solely B&W early in her career) for Tierney, probably thousands come to think of it. She would shoot so much film that I would sometimes help her with editing and was always amazed by her natural talent at capturing the most uplifting images, mostly of her own two children. I did assist Tierney a few times and to put it bluntly it was always a nightmare. But the images she produced where remarkable.
During my time printing Tierney's work there where many photographs of her children running around naked, and of course it was just part of growing up. Never questioned it, never found it odd, the images where great (as where my prints it has to be said). When Tierney switched to colour I never really seen much of her until she was in the news regarding her exhibition at the Saatchi gallery (see links).
Like Mr. Colberg over on the Conscientious blog, I too am tired of the same old story regarding exhibitions of naked children being shut down and creating a big 'hoo haa' and without diving into the political area I have several thoughts on the subject:
As a photographer I totally understand the concept of wanting to photograph kids in all situations recording there natural little lives. I also understand how a photographer who believes in there work rarely thinks of the consequences of people who do not share the same views and how they may react to certain images. This is something I discovered when I showed my 100 year old grannie a nude of a male model I shot at college, she never ate for a week....

As much as I agree with the likes of Tierney in her views and as much as I understand what artists like her are trying to say there will always be people who do not understand why anyone would put a naked picture of a child on a gallery wall and even though I think the problem lies with the viewer, I think it is something that will always happen within society and there is no simple answer.
I am sure a lot of you wouldn't understand when I announce that I hate wedding photographs and really think they should be kept in albums, not put on view for all to see. I realise there is no comparison with the above subject but hopefully you will grasp what I am trying to say...
I also hate other peoples holiday 'snaps,' but dont we all.......

Tim Simmons....

It would seem that I am mentioning more and more my 'Painting With Pixels' theory and today is no exception.
I have see a fair bit of Tim Simmons work and admit it is very striking at first. But I just cannot get my head around such clean perfect landscapes. I will admit straight away that I would not know where to start when producing images of this certain quality (well maybe a little), but its just not my bag..
In comparison with my own work I think its safe to say that where I may photograph the artificial in nature, Tim Simmons creates it.
Upon further examination its clear to see where the style of Simmons work comes from and and I have mentioned before everything in the advertising world has to be perfect, I'm just not sure it crosses over well into the 'Fine Art Landscape Market'.
As I see more and more of this style of work I find it harder and harder to except, but thats not to say I don't like it....

anyone for a Mars Bar....

I have often been asked what would be my ultimate location for landscapes the answer to which is always the same 'Another Planet.' (no chance of someone doing the same shot there, see previous post)
But my answer is probably a foolish one because besides the lack of oxygen and gravity, the extreme heat, the extreme cold and no fizzy drinks, there are places on planet Earth that are remarkably similar to other outer worlds. The image above is of Mars (if you have not seen it on the news) taken from the NASA Phoenix lander, but it could easily be one of my images from Lanzarote.
I have always been fascinated with the Solar System and like a lot of guys my age was always excited by the prospect of going into space when growing up.
It has always bothered me when people rant about the costs involved with these kinds of remarkable conquests and so I will quote my uncle who worked for NASA for almost fifty years:

"Uncle Alan, don't you think its a waste of money sending rockets and men into space?"

Uncle Alan "What would you rather the government spend there money on, housing pregnant teenagers...."

Now wheres my telescope...

Room for one more...

Quite often (and more than I would like) with all my web surfing, or as I like to call it, research, I come across images that are shot in the same location. Although this is not unusual in itself when you see the same subject matter and even the same composition It makes me ask a few questions: 'Have I being followed ?' and 'Who's that over there with a camera?' spring to mind.
I should point out right away that I do not claim to be original, far from it I model my appearance on Bruce Willis and am mistaken for a younger version of him daily.
I came across the image above by the very talented Rob Hann who I do not know personally but get a good impression from his work that we share similar influences so at least we have something in common.
I shot my version of Niland (yes, they have the same title) as part of my Salton Sea project, but asides the same location and subject matter, what I find most bizaar is that I found this car completely by accident. You cannot see it from the road and you almost have to drive off-road to find it. But even with the same location, content etc, etc they are still 'different' images, each with there signature style.
A lot of photographers think in a similar way, but this my friends is not plagiarism. There was a time I would not go to certain places just because others had been there. But now I see it as more of a challenge as it makes you look harder and produce a more unique body of work. This was my whole ethic behind the Salton Sea which is probably one of the most photographed areas of California.
So let us not get upset if we think our images have been copied and let us not remove them from our websites. Now go and create and stop following me....

ORIGINALITY IS UNDETECTED PLAGIARISM

Heeps of work.....

After several days of editing which cut into my puppy training of my second sidekick Peanut (way off topic I know, little turds all over the place..) I can no longer stand the sight of lava fields and long exposures (of course this will pass) so I thought it would be nice look at someone else's work....
Richard Heeps is a photographer who's work I have frequented a fair bit over the years mainly due to the similar themes which I have also covered Stateside.
As I have only just realised that Richard Heeps is British. (I guess this comes from my genius and lack of common sense) I now find the images even more appealing, but its the content I am interested in, not so much the technique. Its easy to see the Shore, Eggleston influence but I do find Heeps a work a little on the 'ruff' side.
There is a vast amount of imagery on his website but the big let down is when you click on an image all the prices and sizes appear which I think looks tacky, cheap and a little un- professional in my book. But technicalities aside I think the work deserves a look.
He has a show on at the Rathbone Gallery in London until the 5th July which is where I had my end of year show in the 1850's, well thats how long ago it feels....

Image of the week (month), thought of the week (month), blah, blah,blah...

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes." -Proust.

More from the homeland...

As I was up in my homeland recently I wanted to mention the work of John Darwell simply because he shoots landscapes and lives in Carlisle. He is probably most noted for his book Dark Days which documents impact of foot and mouth disease across Cumbria. Although an important book it does leave me a bit chilly probably because it takes me back to smell of cows burning in the fields and the fact you couldn't go anywhere, a miserable time indeed.. I have to say during this time I did venture out once and was shot at by a farmer (I must of crossed a barrier) anyway that put me off doing any kind of project...
As I have not seen any of Darwell's prints I cannot comment on the quality as I know he shoots large format but the repro on the website is quite poor.
All in all though I think Mr Darwell has some great projects however, I do think I may bit over critical on some of the work as it is so close to home.
I am waiting for the day when I bump into JD on some mountain in Cumbria so I can say to him 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us' (which is why I moved to London). Or maybe we will just have a scuffle...
I have included an image of Darwell's and a one of Doyle's both shot in the same location in Cumbria. I should point out that this is not a competition, but just a look at two different styles and approaches. You should know which is which by now....

My Grandfather and a toast to the coast...

May I first apologise for this pathetic attempt at copying a painting. I have no excuse other than the picture was behind glass and I felt a little sluggish.
This image is one of hundreds my late Grandfather John Alexander McGregor painted in his lifetime. He was by far the greatest influence to me very early on when I was a freckle splattered pip squeak.
This particular painting is very special because it is of an area of Scotland I hold dear and have photographed many times. I spent years trying to find the pictures location until I discovered that the white house in the background (if you can make it out) was never there. You see my friends my Grandfather painted all his paintings from memory sometimes adding things like houses or trees (no different to photo shop I guess) in order to 'make it a bit more interesting my boy.."
I rediscovered this particular image while I was up in Scotland when clearing out my 100 year old Grannies house and rushed off to get it framed (and yes I did ask if I could have it). It really influenced my recent trip, in particular the dramatic sky and the subtle composition.
Oh, if only I could paint....

AND SO YOUR BACK FROM OUTTA SPACE...

And so it would seem my creative friends I have returned to the Smoke although somewhat prematurely due to unforeseen work commitments and a second sidekick called Peanut who is currently destroying sofa cushions as I type.
An intense few weeks of shooting has left me eager to eat pies and drink ale, but fat bellies aside its time to process, edit and print, so watch this space for some of the latest images.
Although there is nothing quite like roaming the landscape alone with only my thoughts, a camera and the cool breeze on my bald refined head. The process of producing the final image in the darkroom is unbeatable.

For some reason everyone I told I was going to Lanzarote just laughed as they just think of it as a holiday resort, but it is the most wonderful place for photography . The landscape is remarkably like Iceland, although you do not have the freedom to roam as you cannot go on a lot of the lava fields as they are protected. They are also full of big sharp holes for you to fall down or maybe graze your knees. Apparently its so similar to the moons surface that NASA trained a lot of there astronauts there and I believe the reason there spacesuits are so big is so they don't hurt themselves when they fall over although this wouldn't happen on the moon as there is no gravity, or tourists.....
Lanzarote is like no other island and I would urge anyone with an interest in landscape to check it out. It also has the most peculiar light, very soft and quite grey after sunset resulting in very monochromatic scenes.
As theres not really much in the way of images around of Lanzarote (apart from thousands of holiday snaps of camels and drunk grannies) you will just have to wait for my results. But until then, here's one from the previously mentioned Jeanloup Sieff (see above). I was going to strip off and pay homage to Jeanloup, but I had T Shirt marks from the sun.
And yes its very hot.

The new art movement...

I thought as I won't be writing for a few weeks that I would just leave you with a thought to ponder as you all sip iced drinks and enjoy this glorious weather...
There have been many art movements throughout history;
Expressionism, Surrealism, Deco, Impressionism, Modernism (I could go on) Well I have a new one for you so I hope everyone is reading...Pixelism.....This is the movement started several years ago when someone decided to replace over 150 years of photography with a virtual image, the trouble is in another 150 years there wont be any record of this movement because the prints will of faded and the computers will be controlling our minds....
And remember, I'm not bitter, just clever...

Keep it real and stay hungry.