30.5.20

Deserted Desert..

 Throughout my life I have often found that after a life changing event, be it an injury, winning the lottery, bereavement, and in this case lockdown, people always want to go somewhere else other than where they are. This usually takes the form of a holiday,  some kind of retreat,or maybe just a day trip to the sea side.
Here in California its been either the beach, or the desert, and in that regard I am no different.  What has been interesting is seeing just how many people are going out to the desert, on their own, to find solitude after being shut-in, on their own, in solitude....But enough of my ramblings.

The desert was a delight and certainly no different to any other time I have spent out there (maybe that's what brings people out here). It was certainly hot, but hey its the desert..





26.5.20

The reality of digital photography.

Salton Sea. C Type hand print shot on film for the AOP Awards, London, 1998

Despite having no desire whatsoever to enter any kind of photography competition these days. I still like to keep afloat of whats going on. Looking through some recent competition invites (you know the ones everybody gets and charge you to enter) I realise just how much digital has changed photography. 
In regards to my forte, landscape photography, most of the time its hard to imagine what the original scene may actually have looked like, and there in lies the problem I have with digital imagery.  
The most important aspect of my work has been, and always will be, an accurate depiction of a scene. Adding or subtracting elements has no interest for me and renders an image as something else, now usually just referred to as fine art because there really is no other  name for it.  
Once the wow factor came from seeing something, like the above image, and realizing it actually exists.  But sadly these days HDR would have us believe otherwise. Its bad enough that retouch, which has always existed since portraiture began, has become so perfect that people believe he or she looks that way has become the norm. But to have this lie now spill over into all realms of photography is to me absurd and pointless.
Thankfully I can still do what I do, the only question is, will people believe its real.
 

15.5.20

Class of 2020.



It's certainly been an interesting year with my students.  An exceptional group with each one adapting to the current situation despite having to go online and work virtually.
I have put together a mini montage with some of my favorites ranging from basic photography 101 to MFA.


 David Bess. MFA
 Jackson Philips Photo I
 




















  


Megan McIntyre Photo I 


 Emma Waterman. Advanced Photo.

Kento Sun. Commercial Photo

 

 Adam Buck. MFA
 Alejandro Barrera. Commercial Photo

Hannah Greisen. Photo I

10.5.20

It's times like this when my memories mingle and think of past road trips and the joy thereof.
Most normal people think of time spent with family on a beach somewhere or a country home. I on the other hand like to remember the odd stuff, perhaps a cafe which only sells toast, or a walk through Marfa Texas with my good friend Dazzle.


5.5.20

New Year Eve..

Another very appropriate looking lockdown image, but this ones taken from my 'Nine Days' series.


And now in reference to global quarantine, I wonder whether people are actually, writing that book, getting in shape, or just becoming a better person.. It's like one long drawn out New Years Eve.