THE ROAD TO NOWHERE.....

Chevron and Taco Bell. 2010

It's difficult to know where my work will take me these days. Gone have the times when photography filled my mind 24/7 and I have pretty much done all I set out to do regarding my work and now look for other photographic avenues to pursue.
I'm one of those Fine Art Photographers that is in the strange parallel of the industry where my work falls somewhere between 'Quite expensive, but not expensive enough' category. The larger prints are silly money to produce as they are to ship. Add on to this mounting and framing and you have spent over 1K already. Also take into account the always unjustified, but accepted, 50% split from a gallery and you are looking at a fairly hefty final price tag (lets not forget taxes either). I haven't even mentioned film, processing and other expenses incurred whilst out in the wilderness. Basically its a rich man's hobby. And I am not rich...

I have battled with this Fine Art situation for a long time doing almost anything it takes to fund projects choosing to find a way rather than wait until funds and timing is right. I don't think things will ever change and I don't fantasize about making the big time and selling work for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don't know how other people do what I do (well actually I do) but I don't want to know.

I don't expect anything from anyone, never have. But what I would like is for people to stop asking me to do things for free. That's all..

Now read this.

It is better to want what you have than to have what you want...

MICHAEL HALL

Michael Hall image.
Michael Hall image

Beautiful work over on Michael Hall's Website. The look is quite digital, but not in an over done way and something I can personally live with because its not all just technique, there's some real thought here and some wonderful locations.
Nice to see digital landscape done well for a change and not just revved up HDR (accurate colours my ass)..
Wonderful stuff...

VIVIAN MAIER

Although it may not appear so, as I don't post about it much, I love street photography but as I try to keep this humble blog mostly about landscape I have not opened this door of delight just yet. However, recently I was sent a link by a friend regarding Vivian Maier and its just simply remarkable. There's an excellent blog here which will fill you in far better than me and has all you need to know.

What is England... The finale...

The What Is England project had its final instalment today with the theme Rural. Admitidly a few of my own shots were done previous to the project, but I never wanted to shoot something just for the sake of it..
Anyway, it was a pleasure working with Stu on this and I hope the whole project does him proud.

Bursary Bollox..

Image Jim Cooke.

Its not that I am bitter that I have never gotten anywhere with grants, bursaries and kind giving. But I did throw a tiny tantrum when I failed to make an impression with the Bradford Bursary this year which would of come in very handy to help finish my Coastal Project.
I won't go on about how I think most of these things are rigged like scaffolding on a house, or how I was told rot like my images are too pretty for that kind of thing. No, not me. Instead I will direct you all to the excellent work of Jim Cooke who is one of the winners of the prize this year. Jim's work stands out, one because its good, and two because it's not predictable and safe like the rest.

More Ongoing Stuff

Abandoned petrol pumps which have a hand written 'closed' sign on them but it was either that or a better angle showing lovely warm light and a reflection in the booth window. 2011
Strange looking house with a green drain pipe. 2011