NOTE TO READERS – this post can also be viewed as a photo story in its own right (if you would prefer not to read my ramblings that accompany it).  Click on an image to load it up as a slide show.  Either way, I would recommend viewing the images as a slide show so you can see them as a bigger size.

DAVID CAMERON COMES TO A BRIGHTON COLLEGE

First up, I must admit to loving this election.  It’s my favourite election ever – probably more exciting than when Labour whitewashed the Conservatives 13 years ago.  Granted, I am interested in politics as it is and regularly follow the insane ramblings of politicians – but this election has got me worked up into a proper political frenzy.  As someone said to me in the pub the other day…

“It’s a bit like the World Cup!”

Well yes it is – but a bit more significant, a bit more thought provoking but a lot less suited to getting drunk whilst watching.  Perhaps the major thing they have in common is the high levels of shouting at the television!  Rest assured I love a good General Election and this one is not proving to disappoint and will hopefully be one never to be forgot.

Whilst I would love to remain impartial in my comments below, I can’t.  Actually, I wouldn’t love to remain impartial – save that for the BBC, I would very much like to bad mouth David Cameron and the Conservatives – yet at the same time, give an inside view into the political circus that is the election machine at work.

So, imagine my surprise, when, on returning from the Easter break to the Brighton college where I work, I was greeted by David Cameron’s Tory Election Fun Bus.  It glistened at the school gates, all freshly washed and adorned in brightly coloured ‘vote for change’ propaganda.  It even came complete with lovely impressions of clouds – to inspire the mind and evoke the sense of the picturesque British landscape that the Conservatives would no doubt concrete over given half a chance.

“Strange” thought I – why would the Tories send a coach to a college?  Not a great place to hand out fliers surely, given most of the recipients would be under the voting age.  Naturally, I assumed the fun bus was present to give the local Tory MP a chance to be seen doing their bit in the local community.

However, soon the teachers grapevine was in full swing and word spread that we were to be humbled by a visit by none other than David “Change” Cameron himself.  That’s right, the odds on favourite next PM was heading to Brighton to woo the students.  Apparently Gorden Brown had been to visit BHASVIC the preceding Friday and coaxed students away from the last day of their holidays by wheeling in the big guns of Eddie Izzard as a support act.  Sadly, I was unaware of that gathering and so didn’t get to witness it.

Still – more luck for us, as Cameron’s gang called the college the same day to request a short notice soiree with the students.  Naturally, the college obliged.

I have to admit, this got me rather excited.  Not because I would get to see the smug face of Cameron in the flesh, but because never in my voting career have I had the chance to witness a party leader speak in person.  Sure I have chatted to the odd Minister for Pensions in my previous incarnations, sure I have written to David Lepper MP (Brighton Pavilion’s current MP) numerous times on various issues – but never have I witnessed a political heavy weight first hand.

Anyway, with Cameron due to arrive at midday and speak at half 12 – I grabbed my camera under the guise of taking some shots for the college and set about seeing what I could see.

The media descends on a Brighton college to wait the arrival of David "Change" Cameron

As with all these things that are meticulously planned – things didn’t run to schedule.  I positioned myself outside the college doors, in the media pen with the ‘proper’ journalists and waited patiently for the fun bus to arrive in its blaze of glory.  Nearly an hour later than scheduled it was all systems go.  The secret police looked sharp and the press got wind Cameron was round the corner.  The sky clouded over.

An hour late, the main act arrives

Vote For Students quickly thrust their flier towards him

Before kick off, the students had been briefed and arranged on the proper conduct on his arrival.  As you would expect, the meet and great at the doors is a well conceived and planned media opportunity.  However, it was pleasant to see a few rogue groups getting to the front and shouting questions at Cameron as soon as his foot hit the concrete.  Namely, campaigners for the NUS Vote for Students campaign.  To be fair to Cameron, he went straight up to them and gave them a minute to vent, before taking a leaflet and scurrying over to the congregation to shake some hands.

The human condition means a wave of excitement is created when someone of fame, stature or celebrity is witnessed

It was interesting to see how the students reacted to this opportunity, and most appeared quite taken aback at being confronted by someone they had seen on the television.

Every inch of the hall was packed with people watching from the balcony, reminiscent of a scene from The Graduate

Students capturing evidence on any device at hand - an interesting illustration of the most media friendly election ever?

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH THE STUDENTS

Cameron made his way to the hall where several hundred students and staff were gathered, as well as a score of different film crews, photographers and journalists.  I had witnessed the hall being prepared for his talk and it was incredible how quickly things happened.  Earlier that morning, several vans had arrived with an army of staff, who set about unloading an endless stream of staging, seats, PA equipment, branding and alike and within a few hours had the hall fully set up in their chosen manner.  Fair play, it must have been intimidating and it was well conceived – they arranged the seating in a circle around the centre, where Cameron would perform.  Giving him and the viewers a 360 degree front to defend.  A brave approach but no doubt a well calculated one.  Presenting oneself in this way suggests an openness, willing to speak to all and a certain vulnerability which was no doubt decided on by a panel of PR experts.   All part of the creation of Cameron’s public persona – a man of the people, ready and willing to roll his sleeves up.

In fact – roll his sleeves up he did.  One of his favourite buzz phrases to create an image of him getting stuck into the dirty work required, true to form he came with top button undone and sleeves receded.  Did he look more approachable, friendly and ready to get stuck in?  Did he bollocks.

Dave picks them out the crowd

and tries to look thoughtful as questions are asked

Cameron’s whole body language comes over as being a highly rehearsed, calculated and analysed routine.  Gesturing to the crowd to illustrate his ‘dramatic’ points, hand on chin whilst each question was asked, as if trying to look like Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’

Yet the body language of the students assembled to ask and listen was often different.  After a while, I got bored of photographing Cameron’s set stances and was more interested by the expressions of those around him.  Most were genuinely interested in what he had to say, but there was a definite air of scepticism at some of what he was saying.

Some students just looked plain frustrated at the whole parade.

It was interesting to see how many students looked uninspired by what he was saying, others looked ready to kill

THE MEDIA FRENZY THAT IS A GENERAL ELECTION

The media frenzy did not let up for a second.  Life as a political journalist must be an aggravating life of traveling, waiting followed by an intense snap of constant documenting.  The digital click of cameras was endless for the hour he spoke and the roaming camera men were involved in a constant search for that 5 seconds of footage that could put an interesting spin on their broadcasters coverage.

It was a surreal experience being amongst that element of the event, as I was as keen as the rest to get a shot that perhaps illustrated something unique about the day and dreaming of the chance to get a truly satirical image.  I was concentrating so much on watching for something in the background and scrutinising Cameron’s every move for the decisive moment, that I had to remind myself frequently to actually listen to what he was saying.

The media's gaze didn't falter for a second, it was an eye opener into how politicians are constantly on show and being documented

Sometimes it seemed the public were more media friendly than Cameron

DAVID CAMERON’S SPEAKING STYLE

So – what of his chat?  The event was conducted as Cameron asking for questions and choosing who asked them.  Hats off to the students for barraging him with a huge variety of intelligent and topical questions.  Ranging from Gay Rights to tax breaks for marriage.  Fox hunting to student loans.  Political reform to economic problems – most key issues were addressed.  As for David Cameron’s responses, well, he always had one!  As you would hope from a potential Prime Minister, he had a well delivered and on manifesto response as soon as a question was asked.  I would love to know about the preparations for an election campaign and how the politicians rehearse the questions they might be asked and how best to answer them.

He was slick and animated in his answers, but , it was all too easy to see through that glossy exterior.  Contradictions leapt in between different questions and rarely was there any genuine policy or plans provided.  It seemed to me that his answers were all media friendly soundbites.  Take any one on its own, in a 20 second news clip, and he would sound passionate, full of ideas and believable.  Watch him for more than a few minutes and the black interior of the Tory soul starts to show through the gloss.  Cameron is much like when you are looking for new home.  The Estate Agent tells you that the lack of a window in the bathroom is a good thing because it provides more privacy.  He says the fresh painted rooms are illustrative of how the owner looks after the property when in reality there are layers of damp underlying them.  And he tells you how the neighbourhood is a friendly one where everyone looks out for each other – where as once you move in, nobody will give you the time of day.  And so the Conservatives equally represent this model of good curb appeal but when you get the surveyors in – all the cracks are revealed.

I was very underwhelmed and slightly surprised that he was exactly as he is on television.  That is the public face of the Conservative party – one big media friendly soundbite.  For me he didn’t come across as someone with authority or depth and certainly not as a potential leader & representative of 60 million people and shit, he didn’t half say CHANGE a lot!

An angry Conservative? Or a well timed photograph?

The best question came right at the end when a student asked:

“Mr Cameron – the Conservatives state it’s time for change, however, since you are unwilling to address the issue of political reform – how can you seriously call yourselves the party of change?”

A rapturous applause filled the room and a grin filled my face.

For the several hours the fun bus was there, the college was a constant excited buzz of action as we were the centre of the political machine for an insignificant snap shot in time.  It almost seemed important and poignant, but any illusions of grandeur would soon be shot down on watching the news, when the hours of planning and setting up, the scores of staff and media and the few hours out of Cameron’s relentless schedule were condensed into a couple of seconds of news coverage, which focused entirely on the style rather than the substance of what occurred.

Perpetual propaganda

and constant media opportunities

How the Tories would like us to think of the youth vote

How I viewed the attitude of the younger generations to Conservative policy

THE DEPARTURE

Things concluded as they had begun, with a crowd of spectators and media gathered outside ready to see him off.  However, rather than the atmosphere of that morning, where most were excited and slightly overwhelmed by what was taking place, this time, a more significant mood filled the air.  Campaigners and supporters of other parties gathered with quickly made signs.  Students prepared rude notes in readiness to wave in front of the cameras, and one group told me they were planning on humming the Star Wars Death March theme as he left the building.

The anti-Cameron groups gathered for his departure

and the media gather again to steal another few seconds of coverage

However, Big Brother is always watching and Mr Cameron snuck out of a back door into a Jaguar and was removed from the scene without having to face embarrassment, or present the media with the opportunity to film a negative slant to the day.  Within minutes, the staging was being removed, the students had dispersed and most people seemed left empty.  Much like the feeling at the end of Christmas Day, when you realise the build up is much more significant than the day itself.

David Cameron leaves by the back door and leaves us all waiting for nothing

CONCLUSIONS AND THOUGHTS ON THE CONSERVATIVE FUN BUS

So my brush with the election circus was dead and buried.  And what a circus it was, the whole thing precisely planned, designed and executed – with one specific aim in mind – to present the media with a positive story to recount about the Conservatives.  The number of staff involved was slightly disturbing and for anyone who is a fan of The Thick Of It could not look on without a constant rye grin at the many comparisons. Spin was quite literally unraveling in front of my own eyes.  What a lot of time and huge expense for very little political gain.

No doubt the same is true for each of the parties at these events.  I fully admit I went into the experience as a very anti-Conservative individual and most certainly a sceptic of David Cameron and what he represented.  I was very keen to get to see Cameron talk and give him the chance to turn my opinion first hand, however, I came away with no different an opinion as when I went in.  If anything, having witnessed the insanity of the whole process, I came away with even less respect for the Tory manifesto.  I do not believe Cameron and I cannot buy into the Conservatives.

We do need a change, but I sincerely hope that change is not Blue – a Liberal or if required LabLib situation would, for me, always be 100% preferable.

Perhaps the most challenging part of the day for me was resisting the urge to heckle!

Bring on the final debate this Thursday!

Oh yes and remember JUST VOTE!  It matters more that you do than for who.

I do, I wonder it all the time. In fact, I am near obsessive about trying to get a glimpse of what others are snapping.

Actually, this also relates to my previous post SOMETIMES I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THINGS AND CANNOT REMEMBER WHY – but applied to other people rather than myself!

We have spoken about my nosiness before – and I have forced the view that any photographer worth their price in salt should be nosey. Nosiness = interesting images!!!

Anyway, my obsession means that whenever I walk passed someone with a camera in their hand, poised framing a shot – I have to maneuver myself near to them so I can try and get a view of what they are shooting. This is not a flawless system, sometimes social ethics mean you cannot stand over some-one’s shoulder and inspect what they are looking at. So more often than not, I get to a safe distance and take an educated guess at what they are taking an image of. But – I never know for sure.

Perhaps this desire comes from the fear that they are taking an interesting shot of something I have not seen or thought about. It’s basically photo envy.

What Is He Photographing? (2010)

WHAT WAS THE CHAP IN PRESTON PARK PHOTOGRAPHING?

The other day, I was wandering through Preston Park – the morning sunlight, the frosted ground and the emerging buds shouted of Spring. I was content. Then…there to my left was the chap pictured, in full crouch position taking a shot. I was distressed, not only was I running late so could not properly investigate, but my position also meant I could not really tell what he was doing. All I knew is he was crouching and looking at a beer can atop a bin. I walked on by, concerned at what I might be missing.

THEN…the day passed by uneventful and soon it was morning again, and I was trudging my well worn path to work, through the park. Remembering my distress of the morning before, my eye idly glanced to the spot I had seen the chap the previous day. Low and behold, the can was still on the bin. I saw my chance, I could actually attempt to re-create the shot my predecessor had already snapped.

A SOLUTION TO ALL MY WORRIES

Armed with the photograph from the previous day still on my camera, I zoomed in and inspected the lads pose and position. Then – I guessed at what he might be thinking in terms of depth of field, focus and composition – and shot the shot. Joy brimmed up as my torturous ordeal came to a satisfying conclusion. I had managed to exactly see what someone else had taken a photograph of. Well – almost, I still don’t know what exactly he was shooting – but I had a pretty good idea.

Perhaps I might adopt this approach and try to re-create any photograph I ever see anyone else taking! best give up my job.

Anyway, here is the result…

Beer Can On A Bin (2010)

A short while back – I got obsessed with reading George Orwell. The man is no doubt a genius – both his novels and essays are outstanding work.

Two passages really stuck with me, both during and after the Orwell-fest and I have wanted to share them for some time. However, I could not be bothered to type them all out until now.

The reasons being as follows:

Market Today Inside Mans Belly

1) I have been interested in starting a project that involves some form of comment on social position and British society – particularly how democratic our state is and where we might want to look at making changes.

2) The other week, we watched Che part 1 and 2. Lovely stuff – really powerful films, principally because Che is a very interesting chap indeed. Watching them lead onto a search to buy some of Che Guevara’s writings, and a lot of thinking has ensued since learning more about his life and political views. Namely – do we need our own revolution. Not in a Cuba style of course, but a revolution none the less against capitalism and the power of the state over the individual. This seemed to tie in with my Orwell-fest thinking.

3) I was at Brighton Marina the other day, utilising Asda’s facilities (without putting any money in their massive coffers of course) and I took the image shown above. This made me think about points 1 & 2 above leading to a new more exciting point 3! This final point is still not fully formed and is being gently caressed in a sketch book into the start of a new project.

DO WE NEED A REVOLUTION

So, with these three points rattling in my mind, and feeling a photographic project about a British revolution is approaching, I felt the time was Nigh to recount the wise words that Mr Orwell chatted, that struck a cord with my own thinking. So here goes…first passage is from 1984 and the second, from Down and Out in Paris & London. They are quite long, but I bothered to type them out, so you can ruddy well take the time to read them!!!

Incidentally, if you have not read either book – do it immediately. Especially Down & Out, which, is probably one of the best books my eyes have ever graced.

Behold the words of wisdom:

DOWN AND OUT IN PARIS & LONDON

It is worth saying something about the social position of beggars, for
when one has consorted with them, and found that they are ordinary human
beings, one cannot help being struck by the curious attitude that society
takes towards them. People seem to feel that there is some essential
difference between beggars and ordinary ‘working’ men. They are a race
apart–outcasts, like criminals and prostitutes. Working men ‘work’,
beggars do not ‘work’; they are parasites, worthless in their very nature.
It is taken for granted that a beggar does not ‘earn’ his living, as a
bricklayer or a literary critic ‘earns’ his. He is a mere social
excrescence, tolerated because we live in a humane age, but essentially
despicable.

Yet if one looks closely one sees that there is no ESSENTIAL
difference between a beggar’s livelihood and that of numberless respectable
people. Beggars do not work, it is said; but, then, what is WORK? A navvy
works by swinging a pick. An accountant works by adding up figures. A
beggar works by standing out of doors in all weathers and getting varicose
veins, chronic bronchitis, etc. It is a trade like any other; quite
useless, of course–but, then, many reputable trades are quite useless.
And as a social type a beggar compares well with scores of others. He is
honest compared with the sellers of most patent medicines, high-minded
compared with a Sunday newspaper proprietor, amiable compared with a
hire-purchase tout–in short, a parasite, but a fairly harmless parasite.
He seldom extracts more than a bare living from the community, and, what
should justify him according to our ethical ideas, he pays for it over and
over in suffering. I do not think there is anything about a beggar that
sets him in a different class from other people, or gives most modern men
the right to despise him.

Then the question arises, Why are beggars despised?–for they are
despised, universally. I believe it is for the simple reason that they fail
to earn a decent living. In practice nobody cares whether work is useful or
useless, productive or parasitic; the sole thing demanded is that it shall
be profitable. In all the modem talk about energy, efficiency, social
service and the rest of it, what meaning is there except ‘Get money, get it
legally, and get a lot of it’? Money has become the grand test of virtue.
By this test beggars fail, and for this they are despised. If one could
earn even ten pounds a week at begging, it would become a respectable
profession immediately. A beggar, looked at realistically, is simply a
businessman, getting his living, like other businessmen, in the way that
comes to hand. He has not, more than most modem people, sold his honour; he
has merely made the mistake of choosing a trade at which it is impossible
to grow rich.

1984

Throughout recorded time, and probably since the end of the Neolithic Age, there have been three kinds of people in the world, the High, the Middle, and the Low. They have been subdivided in many ways, they have borne countless different names, and their relative numbers, as well as their attitude towards one another, have varied from age to age: but the essential structure of society has never altered.

Even after enormous upheavals and seemingly irrevocable changes, the same pattern has always reasserted itself, just as a gyroscope will always return to equilibrium, however far it is pushed one way or the other. The aims of these three groups are entirely irreconcilable. The aim of the High is to remain where they are. The aim of the Middle is to change places with the High. The aim of the Low, when they have an aim — for it is an abiding characteristic of the Low that they are too much crushed by drudgery to be more than intermittently conscious of anything outside their daily lives — is to abolish all distinctions and create a society in which all men shall be equal.

Thus throughout history a struggle which is the same in its main outlines recurs over and over again. For long periods the High seem to be securely in power, but sooner or later there always comes a moment when they lose either their belief in themselves or their capacity to govern efficiently, or both. They are then overthrown by the Middle, who enlist the Low on their side by pretending to them that they are fighting for liberty and justice. As soon as they have reached their objective, the Middle thrust the Low back into their old position of servitude, and themselves become the High. Presently a new Middle group splits off from one of the other groups, or from both of them, and the struggle begins over again.

Of the three groups, only the Low are never even temporarily successful in achieving their aims. It would be an exaggeration to say that throughout history there has been no progress of a material kind. Even today, in a period of decline, the average human being is physically better off than he was a few centuries ago. But no advance in wealth, no softening of manners, no reform or revolution has ever brought human equality a millimetre nearer. From the point of view of the Low, no historic change has ever meant much more than a change in the name of their masters.

Lovely Stuff. Think on.

One of the mysterious and alien codes on the ground of a building site!

WHY ARE BUILDING SITES SO INTERESTING TO LOOK AT?

Have we ever discussed my love of the humble building site?

It runs deep – especially when cranes are involved.  Heavy machinery is always exciting, but when it involves construction – my fascination knows no bounds!

Like with anything one knows nothing about, it is always interesting to ponder what things mean.  Building sites are full of secret items. codes and symbols that I do not understand and therefore want to.  Usually, I imagine in my mind that they represent something far more interesting than reality permits.

Still, perhaps that’s the secret of my fascination.

The fence contains its own mysteries...

FOUND MOUSTACHE NUMBER 1

WHAT DO WE THINK OF THE MODERN MOUSTACHE THEN?

Well, views anyone?  I must confess – it rests uneasily with me.  I am a massive fan of the beard.  I am a massive fan of the massive beard in fact.  I am also a massive fan of massive hair in most formats BUT…I am NOT a massive fan of the tache (massive or otherwise) as a solo piece of facial hair.

In recent months, I have noticed that young men’s top lips are starting to become adorned with an array of different moustache types.  At first, it was simply the odd dandy partaking in this new wave facial hair – but now, its hit the general public and men the length and breadth of the country are hanging up their razors to champion a tache.

Personally I say no.  You do not wear a moustache on its own.  Wear a full beard and tache combination.  If you must, wear a designer beard alongside a moustache, but surely, you should never, ever, consider going solo.  Just check out the 70’s and 80’s for proof.

The question therefore is who is right?  Me and the don’t fly it solo gang, or them, who wear one with pride.  Shall we do some proper research?

BRING ON THE MOUSTACHIOD MEN…

Example #1 - random man with classic tache. NO	Example #2 - the more modern pencil thin street tache - NO
Example # 3 - The ever hansom Mr Pitt with tache - NO, you look like a fool	Example # 4 - Burt Reynolds with a smokin' tache - MAYBE...alright, so this one is quite good and I am a bit jealous
Example # 5 - Hitler sans his infamous tache...HMMMM - he looks much more friendly and approachable	THE HARD FACTS… So look, lets talk serious here.  It is plain to see from these samples, that, generally speaking – its a bad idea! NUMBER 1 – he looks like an 80’s stockbroker…and not in a good way. NUMBER 2 – No words can describe what a bad fashion choice this moustache was NUMBER 3 – No, No, No.  You look like a joke man – pull yourself together. NUMBER 4 – I accept this as firm evidence that some men, can unquestionably pull off a moustache. BUT, my caveat is that its Burt Reynolds.  We are not all Burt Reynolds – one man in a million is.  So, unless your that man – don’t consider it. NUMBER 5 – This is like my wild card.  Hitler is famous for his tache…remover it and what do you got? A slightly evil looking maths teacher, that’s who.  If Hitler hadn’t worn a moustache, imagine how different the world could have been.

WHAT DO STREET STYLE BLOGS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE MOUSTACHE?

So, I wonder if you are convinced yet?  Please don’t get me wrong – I am a fashion fan, but I am not a dedicated follower of fashion.  Sometimes a new trend comes in and I think it looks a bit stupid – then, over time, come around and join in (skinny jeans on bandy legged men like myself par example).  BUT…I am quite, quite confident in knowing that I shall never, ever, come round to the idea of wearing a moustache as a solo project.

Moustached Dandy from copenhagenstreetstyle.dk

I thought I would check out a few of the street style blogs to see what living samples I could find.

I was surprised at the turn out I got…I thought they would be littered with fine samples to prove my point – but those street style snappers were not playing ball.

THE STYLE SCOUT (stylescout.blogspot.com/) – NO TACHE

HEL LOOKS (www.hel-looks.com/) – NO TACHE

THE SARTORIALIST (www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/) – NO TACHE

FACEHUNTER (facehunter.blogspot.com/) – NO TACHE

I thought I was going mad – I knew the tache had made a come back, I knew I had seen many samples in the fair city of Brighton – but this was not represented on the fashion blogs.  Had I got it all wrong?

But then, as I was about to abandon my post in shame, I checked out Copenhagen Street Style (copenhagenstreetstyle.dk) and YES, my patience was rewarded with this little beauty to my left.

They are a dapper couple – the lad looks interestingly turned out – nice boots, nice bow tie, nice scarf and shirt combination.  But that moustache – NO.  It was all going so well until that point, it just looks bad.

THE MOUSTACHE IS SIMPLY A COMEDY ACCESSORY

I think I have more than proved my point now.  The Moustache can be a comedy item, to be worn to a party, festival or perhaps for charity – but as a stand alone fashion item, its a bad show.  UNLESS you are Burt Reynolds – in which case, you can just about pull it off.

The main benefit of the moustache is as a comedy item, and that is how it should be.  Take Moustache Me (http://moustacheme.com/) for example, who comically apply moustaches to adverts, famous people and other such media.

It just so happened that as I was pondering the heady world of facial hair, I came across the two fine drawings which you can see in this post – which have been neatly illustrated with a stick on moustache.

Whilst I would love to claim them as my own work, sadly they were just something that I found and seemed to be rather appropriate.

Obviously, if one can grow a moustache such as the one to the right here, then we are entering into a whole new conversation about acceptance.  Once the realm of the cool tache has been passed – and the wearer is firmly and securely deposited into the realm of the comedy tache, then everything is acceptable.

As a final thought for you – take heed of the note scribbled under this moustache:

“I want to look rich because that is what my character wants to be”

I ask you – would that moustache make anyone look rich?

Front cover to the Meopta Axomat 4 manual

THE MEOPTA AXOMAT – A FINE ENLARGER AND A FINE COVER IMAGE TO BOOT!

The darkroom I run is full of Meopta enlargers – they are a fairly standard piece of college equipment – built out of solid metal, so very hardy!

I was trying to establish the maximum wattage bulbs for the Axomat enlargers – that’s the sort of excitement my days can be filled with.  Upon searching through piles of manuals, hap-hazzardly arranged in a filing cabinet – something glistened at me from the bottom of the pile.

I plunged my hand through the jumbled array of other grey papers, and dragged a dusty booklet to the surface – probably its first fresh air in decades!

I was greeted with this little beauty!  What a design, what a photograph!  Its amazing.

WHO ARE MEOPTA AND WHAT IS AN AXOMAT?

First thing to point out is that Meopta were a Czechoslovakian company that made basic and highly usable photographic equipment.  The enlargers themselves are not the greatest in the world, but they are solid and fairly robust – and for basic darkroom printing, they fit the bill perfectly.  For schools – they are ideal as they are also really cheap!

The Axomat was a range of enlargers they produced, from the 70’s onwards I guess.

I could go into a full on review as to the Meopta enlarger range – but from fear of boring 99% of the readers, I won’t!  However, feel free to ask if you want some fascinating information on them!!!

BACK TO THE IMAGE…

I guess this must be how the Czechoslovakians chose it best to promote their enlarger – with an elegant lady, daintily raising her hand to the enlarger controls!  What I like best is the fact that when in their meetings about the design and promotion for this piece of kit – a collective decision must have been made that this image best reflected the image they wished to portray.

Rodchenko's advert for the Red October Biscuit Factory (1923?)

HANG ON – WHY ISN’T EVERY DESIGNER AS GOOD AS RODCHENKO?

Thought I would stick this in as an interesting comparison!  Now, I know that Czech was not formally a part of the USSR and they are not strictly neighbours.  Czechoslovakia were communist post WWII for many years and, as I understand it a sort of independent satellite state of the Soviet union – so perhaps my link here is a weak one.

But, on with the point – check out this amazing poster for a biscuit factory, crafted by Alexander Rodchenko, for the Red October Biscuit Factory in around 1923.

So, that’s about 60 years earlier than the Axomat, for biscuits and is infinitely better designed and crafted than the Meopta marketing.

Many people would argue that an enlarger was a more exciting product than a biscuit (I am not sure I could ever agree with that), yet Rodchenko managed to make the poster much more dynamic and exciting.

Constructivism is an amazing and fascinating bi-product of Communism in Russia and it’s interesting how it did not filter down to all of the associated countries.

Now I am sure that Graphic Designers out there can point me in the direction of many amazing Czech designs – and they may also point out that the Meopta artwork is from the 80’s not 20’s.  But humour me and lets all have a few cheers for the genius of Rodchenko (and Popova of course!) and how most graphic designers owe their entire style to these pioneers and are still not doing as well as they did back then!

Inside back cover image from Meopta Axomat 4 manual

LIFE IN A DARKROOM – THE MEOPTA WAY

Apologies.  I went off topic, I shall pick up the story seamlessly…then I came across this beast on the inside cover.  I can confirm it is exactly what life is like in a darkroom!

Now – ignore what I said earlier about Constructivism being great and once again humour my change in direction!  I don’t know what it is, but there is something I really love about this sort of Graphic design – it seems really naive and basic, but endlessly appealing and amusing!  I guess that’s the way things always go as cultural visual language moves on.  In a few more decades, no doubt we will be looking back at current design and thinking how dated and simplistic it appears.

As far as I know, the Axomat 4 was produced int he early 80’s – yet this artwork seems to scream 70’s at me!

Show Studio 1 (2009)

SHOWSTUDIO – FASHION REVOLUTION – REVIEW

I made a posting on this before ‘SHOWSTUDIO – FASHION REVOLUTION – COMEDY CASTING’ – a brief one of me doing a video casting at the exhibition.  Thought this should be followed up by a more in-depth look at this show.

I must confess to not being the biggest knowledge on fashion photography.  I love some of it, but in the past have found a lot of the images out there quite bland, obvious and purely about commercial selling without having much creative flair to boot.  In recent years, I have tried to look at it with more open eyes and analyse exactly what is going on in this very creative side of Photography.  I do like fashion and when a photographer applies an original mind to this genre – the results are amazing.

Nick Knight is one of those fashion photographers that I guess everyone has heard of and quite rightly so.  He is no doubt a genius at what he does – his images are punchy, original and beautiful.  What is more, he actually manages to capture the essence of fashion and the clothing yet retain a creative approach to his images.  (And, incidentally, his non-fashion personal work is lovely – check out his work ‘Flora’).

Show Studio 2 (2009)

Not surprising then, when his SHOWstudio project took over the bottom floor of Somerset House for the Fashion Revolution show – it was an amazing and interactive place to visit.  Described by themselves as:

…a retrospective of nine years of online innovation, invention and creation.

This seems to give a good account of what you could see.  Following in the footsteps of the SHOWstudio website, the exhibition attempted to throw the usual expectations of fashion, art, photography and video on its head.  More like a full on assault of the senses with images, video, instillations and a whole host of interactive elements.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHOWSTUDIO

Established by Nick Knight in 2000, SHOWstudio was created as an online organisation, aimed at pushing the boundaries of how fashion is communicated.  It has pioneered fashion film and is one of the leading lights in this new medium and collaborates with some of the most influential and acclaimed figures of contemporary fashion, including John Galliano, Kate Moss, Maison Martin Margiela, Comme des Garçons and Alexander McQueen.  It has blurred the lines between fashion, photography, film and art.

For a full idea of what they do, check out the site at: www.showstudio.com

FASHION REVOLUTION

For me, there were a few stand out elements to the show which, for me, were the clear highlights and made this exhibition so unique…

NAOMI

Show Studio 3

As you first entered the exhibition, you were confronted by three huge monolithic sculptures of supermodel Naomi Campbell, created from a 3-D rendered image captured during Nick Knight’s Spring 2007 Naomi shoot.  A touch sensitive computer panel let you graffiti over these white body casts, creating anything from clothing to abstract shapes.  Naturally a high percentage of the contributions seemed to involve rude dawbings!!!  The figures could also be drawn onto via an online interface, so anyone in the world, provided they had internet connection, could graffiti Naomi and the results appear ont he figures in real time.

Check it here: http://www.showstudio.com/project/fashionrevolutionnaomi/

Show Studio 3 (2009)

CASTINGS

Show Studio 6 (2009)

You may have already seen my comedy casting in the previous post, before that, I recorded a “normal” one, before realising exactly what the casting was:

A small room contained a video camera where visitors were encouraged to do a casting to appear in one of Nick Knight’s photoshoots.  The set up was simple, with a computer asking basic questions and the sitter answering to camera.  These films were then captured and put onto the website for the world to view.  Obviously the results depend on the sitter and they range from interesting to dull and funny to shit!  I suspect my own effort is both dull and shit!  It’s worth looking through the films on the site, if for nothing else, just to see how people react in front of a camera in this situation.

Check it here: http://www.showstudio.com/project/fashionrevolutioncasting/

PERFORMANCE

Show Studio 7 (2009)

Perhaps the most inspiring and revolutionary piece at the exhibition was the opportunity to watch fashion shoots live.  The basic set up was a medium sized studio space, kitted out with all the expected equipment and at one end, floor to ceiling – wall to wall,  one way glass.  This meant you could see the photo shoot happening but they could not see you.  I was lucky enough to go near the end of the exhibition and see Nick Knight himself doing 100 portraits for ID magazine.  It was addictive viewing – like Big Brother but with substance!  Getting to see Knight’s working method, how his assistants worked with him and the general set up and feel of a top level photo shoot was amazing.

I was particularly suprised to see how calm the whole thing was.  From film and media – I kind of expected to see an Austin Powers type shoot, or like a scene from Blow up.  I guess the media stereoptype wins through as we are so unused to seeing fashion shoots live.  That’s where this part of the show really wins through and fills the brief of SHOWStudio so well.  It allows viewers to witness a true behind the scenes aspect of the world of fashion photography  readdress their stereotypes and perhaps start looking at this genre as a genuine form of art in its own right.

Show Studio 8 (2009)

All to often fashion photography is written off (as is fashion itself) as a true form of artistic expression.  For me, the live studio totally cemented my view that fashion photography is increadibly diverse, sersious and creative and deserves upmost respect.  Knight was a pleasure to watch work and a great inspiration I’m sure for anyone interested in getting into this field.

FURTHER READING

Sadly, this show has now stopped.  I kind of wish they could find a permanant venue and always offer people the opportunity to see the full range of SHOWstudio’s creations, as well as benefit from aspects like the ‘Performance’ Live Studio.

In the meantime, however, I urge you to check their website and see the full range of joy that is on there:

http://www.showstudio.com/project/fashionrevolution/ – Fashion Revolution site

http://www.showstudio.com/ – Show Studio site

Show Studio 10 (2009)

Show Studio 9 (2009)

RUBBISH INNER CITY (2009)

IT JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO BAG IT AND BIN IT

Just a brief post for now – but got loads lined up in drafts – so will be sending a barrage your way soon.

First up – this picture illustrates myself.  I am a rubbish blogger.  I have neglected you for too long.  I am sorry.

BRIGHTON’S BIN MEN ON STRIKE

Moving on, took this on the morning of the first day of the recent strike in our fair city at the start of November.  (more info on the Argus website here).

I wasn’t that interested in the strike to be fair – maybe they had a good reason.  Maybe they didn’t.  Happens so regularly kind of don’t pay attention any more (is that bad?).

What did interest me was the scene above.  It was the first day of the strike and this was the amount of rubbish left at one recycling point at Preston Park at 8am in the morning.  Thats just insane.  More than being annoyed about a strike – we should be disturbed at the amount of rubbish that amounts in such a small amount of time.

I cannot believe in today’s climate (forgive the play on words) – when the enviroment is such a concern, how little people seem to care.  Despite all the evidence, publicity and chat – people are too lazy to try and actively reduce the amount of waste they produce.

For me, the strike made me question our policy towards waste, rather than get upperty about the workers striking.  Personally I think we should start penalising people who don’t recycle.  Penalising people who produce more than an acceptable amount of waste and start to introcude a tough stance on people who just don’t care of bother.

Still – little chance that will happen as the government and most political parties are too scared to ever make a significant stance on anything as they are too pre-occupied with trying to please everyone.

Bollocks to pleasing everyone – some people are just wrong and those who make no effort to protect the planet are high on that list.

RUBBISH IN A CITY MAKES A RUBBISH INNER CITY

This was the recent slogan of a campaign to stop a recycling plant being built at the old meat market in Hollingbury, Brighton.  The slogan was a bit naff and the whole campaign was plain stupid – but thought their slogan was appropriate in a way.  Rubbish in a city does make a rubbish inner city – but not due to strikes or building recycling plants – but because individuals refuse to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Rant over.

LONDON GREYS (2009)

WHY IS LONDON SO GREY?

I guess this does not apply solely to London, but to a variety of British towns and cities – they are all constructed in grey tone.

Perhaps this is most noticable in London due to its immense size and the sheer number of buildings crammed into it.  I took this photo last time I was in London, eating lunch on some steps just opposite St James’ Park.

I have always been struck by the monotone look of the architecture and the inhabitants of our fair capital city.  Obviously the suit is the chosen uniform of the city and so a huge percentage of the population walk round in shades of black or grey - perhaps their tiee of if lucky, their shirt inserting an injection of colour.

But it all seems quite drab – more so on a winters day.  You can happily sit somewhere and be surrounded by different tones of grey, be passed by grey people and look up at the grey skies.

To its credit, London does OK for park spaces and tree lined streets – which give a welcome break from the singular vision.  Granted, you could argue the lights of Piccadilly are colourful – but really, that’s advertising and should never count.

Go to a city like Barcelona and you cannot escape colour.  The buildings are painted or even built in a wealth of colour.  Colourful public art fills the area and the people are an explosion of different shades.

Now of course there are exceptions to the rule in London or any other British city – but stop and look and you will notice how drab a lot of it can come accross.  Hannah often wears a variety of colours, more vibrant than the general populous of London and gets innumerable dirty looks for daring to splash some colour amongst the greys.

Is it that we are afraid to stand out or make our buildings shout out from their surroundings?

What I don’t get is that London is not a grey and drab place.  It has a huge personality and is filled with wonderfully creative and excetric people – perhaps we should begin to allow this to be reflected in our personal appearance and that of our architecture.

BLACK & WHITE PRINTING

Incidentally…

Not sure why you want to know this or there will be any interest, but you know – this is a blog, an online sketch book, some I am going to tell you anyway…

This is the first black and white print I have made in a long while – hence its not that well printed!  During the dark days (when my digital lens smashed), I returned to 35mm and shot some Black and White as I knew I could process and print it at work.

So, over the past month or so, I have processed a few of those films and done contact sheets.  Yesterday, I was trying to re-align and enlarger and thought it was the perfect chance to print one of the images to test the focus was even on the enlarger.  So here it is, for all to see!

I must say, it was great to work in the darkroom again.  Not done much of it in the past few years and its always a pleasure to have the smell of chemicals around you and be bathed in nothing but red light. (Does that sound perverted!?!?).

LETS TALK MORE ABOUT BLACK AND WHITE

Shall we?  Do you want to?

I am not sure I do – perhaps another few posts should be dedicated to this topic.

But to tease you – I am really not sure its for me these days.  I like the printing and all, but the results are never as pleasing to me as colour.  I do like Black & White street photography, but the world is in colour and that’s how I like to capture it…generally.

Perhaps I will address the B&W v Colour issue in more depth soon.  Perhaps not.

FACT - FEMALE MP'S (2009)

FACT – IN THE 2005 ELECTIONS, ONLY 19.7% OF ELECTED MP’S WERE WOMEN

Do we wonder if that has anything to do with why things are so shit?