ROMKA #4

Always good to see interesting and creative collaborations using the web. Plenty of interesting images if a little "yoof centric" over at ROMKA free online magazine.

Back.

Well that's Crimbo done, boxed off, my baubles are back in a bag under the stairs. Nothing left of festiveness cept half a box of snickers celebrations and half a bottle of Lidl mulled wine (which tasted of arse) And so now after my NOEL hibernation and too much telly, thoughts turn back to photography and this blog.

If I've learnt anything over the last couple of weeks it's that I actually am not as addicted to blogging as I thought and in fact I've been in two minds about whether to knock it on the head. I have always done it because I have enjoyed it but I'm not going to let it become a burden.

I've also got several projects that should be coming to completion spring/early summer that will need publishing and trying to find homes for.

First up SEMI'S which has already had a bit of a run out last year and I'm hoping to get finished off Late February as it's due to go to Rotterdam as part of a group show and then maybe on to New York later in the year. A Typology, that maybe my last for a while, I think I've got them out of my system for a bit at least. This work has been realised as small prints like in an estate agents window but I do see the final outcome as a book.

POMONA is also due to come to an end in May. At least that's when the year of documenting this post industrial area just outside the city centre is up. Landscapes, weird macro pictures and several plastic bags full of flower pressings (I'm sure enough of my manliness to carry my flower press with pride through the mean streets of Salford) will no doubt end up on my kitchen floor with me stood over it scratching my head wondering what it all means and what to do with it.

And third up RED ARMY PILGRIMS should be finished by the end of the 09/10 season. 100 compact camera, snatched portraits shot at OLD TRAFFORD to mark the centenary and printed at Boots for that authentic snap shot feel. Who are we?

All images copyright Mark Page.

(Image copyright of whoever. No file info no byline but no doubt they will moan for me using this picture which I may say as an image for a search of "Manchester fireworks Newyear" just about hits the spot so well done that photographer. Now always remember to add some file info if you want people to acknowledge your work which they should but can't if you don't let us know who it's by.)
Oh yeah happy 2010...........

FESTIVE ROGUES GALLERY 2009

Welcome to Manchesterphotography's FESTIVE ROGUES GALLERY 2009. Over the last couple of years of blogging I have started to collect a right little network of friends and acquaintances, from people visiting here and leaving comments or "heads ups" for new shows and work etc. Nobody really knows what we are all building here in cyber space or how long it will last, so I wanted to celebrate our little relationship and take it to the next level. Each person has a link through to their website or blog so have a click through and get to know each other a little bit better. Think of it as Manchesterphotography's Christmas party minus the vomit & embarrassment!


All photographs copyright of respective bloggers/photographers.


CMS Lost in Manchester UK



Andy Adams Flak Photo US
(Image copyright Jonathan Saunders)






S Cousin Pentimento AUSTRALIA




David Dunnico Photism UK




Marcus Doyle B-Mode UK

Ed Watts Ed Watts Photography UK

Gill Moore Scatterdrum UK

Harvey Benge Harvey Benge NZ/FRANCE

Stan B Reciprocity Failure US

John Darwell John Darwell UK

Jonathan Blaustein Jonathan Blaustein US

Colin Pantall Colin Pantall's blog UK

Marc Burden Latitude Photographers UK

Julian McKenny Processional UK

David J Colbran D J C Design UK

Vron Harris Latitude Photographers UK

Martin O'Neill Martin Takes Photos UK

Pete Brook Prison Photography US

Brenda Burrell The Photography Pages UK

Melissa Tritten Cigarettes and Purity US

Robin Whittaker Rob Whittaker Photography UK

Seba Kurtis Seba Kurtis UK

Benjamin Chesterton Duckrabbit UK

Andy Glinka Andy Glinka Photography UK

Tom Rice-Smyth Tom Rice-Smyth UK

OK that's it then. Cheers to everyone who took part and boo to all those who did'nt! Have a great Christmas and a good New Year. I'll be back 2nd January so until then mingle............

Lesson Learnt Today.

Today I learnt that THE MANCHESTERPHOTOGRAPHY MOBILE will operate in heavy snow as long as you don't want to turn or stop.....

In Amongst This Years Christmas Cards Was This...

Image copyright Mark Page

I don't imagine I'm the only one to get a letter like this, this Christmas. It seemed appropriate to shoot it in Mono. It's all reminding me of the 80's and my Dad getting "laid off" Where's all the DON McPHEE'S when you need them?

Image copyright Mark Page

Image copyright Mark Page.

Last Chance.

Thanks to all those who have submitted to THIS and last chance to if you've not.I will be slowing down the blog now over the next couple of day's as I get FESTIVE ROGUES GALLERY together to go live at 00:00 Monday (GMT) 21st

Steve Harrison.

Image copyright Steve Harrison

Thanks to Benjamin for this, and I'm so glad that he pointed this cynical old Git in the direction of The BBC VIEWFINDER photo blog and THIS piece on the work by the late Steve Harrison. The above picture by the way is the one used on the blog and in my mind is neither the strongest or the most Representative of Steve's work. The work can be seen on Steve's Flickr site HERE.
"A KIND OF DIGNITY" is a set of pictures of people living life as best they can. Often pictures of the old or people who are struggling on. Not shot with the usual condescending pity or spite full humour that are the natural tools of photographers approaching this cast of characters.
No, Steve genuinely seemed to have that emotion that photojournalists seem to have no problem projecting onto third world subjects but seldom are able to summon when turning their lenses on the British........ Compassion.

Goodluck Rosie on getting together a book, please let us know if you do....

Eugenie Scrase Is The Winner Of This Years Arty, Saatchi X Factor!

Pictures courtesy BBC

And so the posh pretty girl WON. Never saw that coming. "But I'm only twenty" gushed Urinal or Eugenie Scrase or what ever the fuck she was called. Her work, a log on a fence removed and taken into a gallery. I wonder how many photographers must have walked past that scene and gone na that's way too cheesey? But heyho the Simon Cowell of Art liked it.......

Masashi Asada.

Images copyright Masahi Asada

Family photography with a difference from Japan. Masashi Asada creates tableaux using his Mother, Father and Brother to act out different scenario's from Japanese life. Now having recently just undertaken a recent Christmas Markets shopping trip with my family (like herding cats) my respect for him and his work is huge. His website is HERE but it's crap. You are best off going HERE and scrolling through the images.

Pop Will, Sorry Has Eat It's Self.

That's what the 80's/90's bands name PWEI prophesied. and last night that may have come true. Paul McCartney appearing on last nights X FACTOR may well have been the moment that Pop/Rock came full circle. THE BEATLES were great for amongst other things moving music away from mere light entertainment to something different something a bit more important. Last night it went back to how it was BB (before BEATLES)

Did You Know?

Image copyright Shawn Records.

I don't care that I'm 42 THIS film looks bloody great and I can't wait to see it. You know the cool kiddie in the film, Max Records? Did you now his dad is a bloody good photographer and also writes the blog 40 watt.

Oh yes stick with MANCHESTERPHOTOGRAPHY for all the showbiz news......

Hello Nice And To Meet You......

I am doing a talk at Urbis tonight as part of the course that's been run there over the last few weeks THE PHOTOGRAPH AS CONTEMPORARY ART. so a big hello to those people who have to put up with me droning on. Please feel free to tell me to shut the f##k up if I a boring you....

New Cliches of Photography #18

Girls & beds, messed & distressed.....

Ying & Yang Is........

Loosing your job at URBIS and getting your book stocked at IMPRESSIONS all in one day.......

We English, speak for yourself.

Copyright Simon Roberts?
Copyright Peter Bialorzeski

I've never got what all the fuss is about when it comes to we English by Simon Roberts. Starting with the title, it makes no sense. The work is clearly only about one very slender section of English life. Leisure, and a very slender section of leisure at that. It should be called 'These are the leisure pastimes of the readers of The Daily Mail with one picture of pissed scousers some, Blackpool shots and a picture of some Maccum footie fans thrown in to represent the North and non Mail reading English folk'. Although granted that's not such a catchy title but it is more accurate. No signs of Multiculturalism or Diversity in Roberts England. Us English are apparently forever condemned to live in the home counties in 1955 with just the odd trip to 'The Lakes'. It received Arts Council money, I hope The National Trust have put their hands in their pockets, it sure looks like one of their ads.

I can hear people saying jeez why the spleen over poor Roberts. I don't normally get stuck into other photographers that's true (OK the cliches bit I mean besides that) but if public money is going into a series/book/career then I reckon they should be accountable. And besides fellow Manc bloggers BLACKLAB posted THIS . Too much coincidence for my liking. There's an interesting interview with Peter Bialobrzeski HERE. Be sure to read the first question.

Word Up.......

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
05-12-09---30-01-10

'Will You Clock Me Out?'
Kate Furnell

Will You Clock Me Out? questions the idea that people can never live through experiences of the past and that memories can often be left behind. The project is very personal to the artist as she uses a mixed media approach to discover secrets and stories, from both her mother and fathers past, looking closely at her hometown of Blackburn, Lancashire. Although Kate has a predominately photographic background, Will You Clock Me Out? experiments with both photographs and audio in order to portray two contrasting point of view: that of both hers and her parents, along with the stories of the past and the visions of today.


Please have a look at the text/photo version of the project here:

http://www.katefurnellphotography.com/gallery_86635.html

I'm A Photographer!

Image copyright Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill my mate and 'jobbing photographer' (his words not mine. I'd prefer The photographer who helped to make one of the coolest bands of all time iconic) anyway he's joined us in bloggyland. HERE.