Its brilliantly refreshing to see film being used so much again and a real love of the aesthetic for a very basic technology!  Enough mega-pixels, HDI and all that guff – bring on out of date, cross processed slide film!

As I get the films back, I have been picking out the images that are most interesting to me and slowly putting them into loose thematic sets.  You probably have already realised that, should you be a regular reader!  But, sometimes I feel the need to write something in these posts, even if it is essentially pointless!!!

On with the show.  My latest set is cunningly entitled…

LOMOFILE – THE URBAN DAYS OUT

Want to see more? Check out all the Lomofiles here.

Roger Fenton - Photographic Van Crimea, 1854

ROGER FENTON AND THE EARLY DAYS OF WAR PHOTOGRAPHY

The history of photographing wars and conflicts is long stretching and has been practiced since the Crimean War.  Roger Fenton (1819 – 1869) is commonly cited as the first war photographer – making images of the Crimean in 1855.  He was commissioned to photograph it following continued criticism of the government for entering the conflict.  He made over 350 images in all.  Interestingly, this first voyage into the world of documentary war photography was essentially propaganda.  As Fenton was commissioned by the government – his images were predominantly fairly positive and perhaps did not show the grim realities.  They generally depicted the well being of the troops and often featured officers.

The image to the left is a portrait of Roger Fenton on his wagon!  Utterly amazing, for over 3 months he traveled around with this van – the back of it set up as an on location darkroom, so he could make his own negatives and prints in the back of it.  That sort of dedication that early pioneers had cannot help but inspire.

The two images below are an example of the images Fenton created.  Camp of the 4th Dragoon Guards is fairly typical of his work from the Crimea – groups of soldiers is set up images, perhaps showing a romanticised view of the conflict.

However, in contrast, there are a few images which suggest something else.  “Shadow of the Valley of Death” is a dark and somber image – although it shows no overtly obvious signs of the horrors of war, the ground is littered with canon balls and the earth churned up from the conflict.  You can almost imagine this landscape continuing far off into the distance of the photograph, suggestive of the size and brutality of the war.  However, the title for me is the most interesting twist to this image.  When it is viewed and considered with the words “Shadow of the Valley of Death” a whole new symbolism creaps into the mind.

Roger Fenton - Camp of the 4th Dragoon Guards

Roger Fenton - Shadow of the Valley of Death

Mathew Brady - Portrait of Joseph Hooke

MATHEW BRADY AND THE ADVENT OF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Fenton’s war photography was relatively short lived and not that successful on his return from the Crimea.  However, perhaps the most well known and successful of early war photographers, Mathew Brady (1823 – 1896), was hot on his heels.  Brady, an American, photographed the Civil War between 1861 – 1865.  Brady had been involved in Photography from an early date and took the daguerreotype to America in 1839, establishing a highly successful portrait and gallery business.  Interestingly, Brady almost operated as an early Agency – many of the images of the Civil War that carry his name were actually taken by other photographs.  He employed up to 20 people and equipped them with a Photographic van like Fenton’s who went out and took the images of the Civil War.  Brady as their employer, had his name appear on the photographs.

None the less, this approach was very successful and resulted in an amazing document of this conflict and his images were well received and considered important as they brought the realities of the war to the public.  In fact, it can easily been seen that Brady established the tradition that war images did not need to be posed and it has been argued his work was one of the first instances of documentary photography.

Goya, plate 36 of 'The Disasters of War' 1810-1814

I have picked a couple of examples which I think are particularly striking and must have had a huge effect when they were first seen in the 1860′s.  Prior to this, the brutality of war had been depicted in paintings and drawings and of course literature.  An immediate and powerful example that jumps to mind are the series of Etchings made by Goya ‘The Disasters of War’ made in the 1810′s depicting the horrors and brutality of the Peninsular War.

But Brady’s images, being photographs and what was then considered a very new and accurate technology, must have been quite shocking.

Mathew Brady - Battle of Antietam 1863

Mathew Brady - Battle of Gettysburg

Of Course, the legacy of these early documenters has continued and we are now subjected to countless images of war and conflict – perhaps to the extent that some level of desensitisation has happened in respect of some of the material offered for consumption.  Interestingly, part of the most recent war in Iraq, was the media and propaganda war that happened in our own front rooms.  For the first time journalists were placed with troops, they received daily briefings and the military approach to the media was inclusive and of course controlling.  We got first hand, battle front images – but of course this imagery was heavily controlled, censored and monitored by the military press machine.

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHS OF WAR – DAVID GUTTENFELDER AND SHAUN GLADWELL

With all this in mind, the two images i happened across last week really stood out for me.

David Guttenfelder - Man In The Pink Boxers

First up is an image by David Guttenfelder, a Tokyo based Photographer who has worked for Associated Press for some time.  He was embedded as a photographer in Afghanistan and took this image in 2009 when the soldier scrambled from his sleep during a Taliban attack.

This image has been plastered all over America and indeed the UK, to the extent it is threatening to become an iconic image of the war.  For me, its power comes from the dichotomy of emotions it triggers.  First, you cannot help laugh when seeing the soldier in his bright red T-shirt and I Love NY boxers.  But a bit more consideration of the image and it is a stark reminder that those who are involved in a war are living with the realities day in day out.  I guess for us, at a distance from conflicts like Afghanistan, we can turn on and off the news and be reminded of what is going on at our discretion.  But for those involved – there is no such escape and duty calls whether in your pants or not!

Shaun Gladwell - Figure Firearm Study 2010

This image is somewhat different and is a production still from a film by the Australian artist film maker Shaun Gladwell.  The film is called Figure/Firearm study – but I have been unable to find much more information than that about it.

However, I think it is a great image – very striking and simple, but has a lot to say about conflict and again the realities of war.

Again this image is quite amusing, and suggestive of not only the boredom that must be experienced on a tour of duty, but also over time, how hard it must be to not become casual or flippant about one’s situation.

Sadly, I cannot find the whole film so not sure of the overall context, but thought his image on its own said a lot anyway.  It also reminded me of the film Jarhead – which I thought I would hate, but was actually a very cleverly executed film – again touching on the boredom of war and the desperation of those involved to be able to do something.

I recently received an email from my friend and peer Murray Ballard about a book he has produced with his partner Gabriella Rizzello.

Murray was in my year on the Photography degree at the University of Brighton as I was, and Gabriella also studied on this course.  Both are amazing photographers (check out their websites for yourself) who produce really beautiful and thought provoking images.

They are producing a self-published book to raise money for the charity Diabetes UK and are trying to get 150 people to pre-order it at a bargain price of £15.  If they meet this target, that will cover the production costs for a run of 500 copies of the book.  All the money from the sale of the other 350 books will then be donated to the charity.  To give a bit of background to this book, Murray says:

“My girlfriend, Gabriella Rizzello and I are self-publishing a photography book, One Week In Moscow, to raise money for the charity Diabetes UK.  The motivation for this project stems from the loss of Gabriella’s mother earlier this year due to complications of diabetes.
The book is now available to pre-order.  Purchase a copy before the 23rd August and you’ll receive a signed copy with your name printed in the back with special thanks.”

This is a great cause and also an amazing opportunity because it will mean:

1) You get to own a very exclusive book of amazing images, produced by two highly talented, and emerging talents in on the Photography Scene.
2) You will help raise money for this good cause.
3) You will own a signed copy of one of 500 of these books.  Given that Murray and Gabriella and destined to become renowned Photographers one day – it is basically an investment for your future as who knows what it will be worth one day!

What more reason do you need?

Please visit their site and support them:  www.oneweekinmoscow.com/

AND APOLOGIES FOR MY ABSENCE

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

I have just been checking the stat-o-meter and realised, to my shock / horror / surprise – that is has been over a month since we last spoke.

My service has been poor and for that I must apologise.  However, much photographing and thinking has been taking place which should feed into a plethora of new postings coming your way.  I have shot loads of LOMO in the past few months, as well as the usual digital musings and even a splattering of Medium Format (OoooOOohhhhh!).

But enough of this chat – lets check out some images.  First up, I present to you another in the Lomo series – this one appropriately titled ‘The Abstract, The Strange & The Unknown’:

Another post to formulate itself momentarily…and then…the flood gates will once again open!

Check back soon for more – or click here to view all the Lomofiles.

Out.

Well, with all this excitement about the World Cup and England being as terrible as one might expect – I feel that I should assist the nation with a public service.  That service is to bring you all down to earth with a full and frank chat about why Lofts are great and will always be exciting to go into!

Now, on the face of it – you might think I am mad.  Perhaps you think I should keep to my latest obsession of posting Lomo photographs and stick to what I know rather than delving into the world of moribund topics.

But no – hold forth on your judgements and behold some revelations about the world of lofts and other childhood places of intrigue.

Loft Door (2010)

Ever since I was a kid, certain places have always excited me.  Whilst at the core, I always knew they would probably be disappointing – the mystery of what lay behind certain doors or up the top of certain ladders could not fail to instill a sense of wonder in my simple mind.  Amazingly, now in my 30′s, this effect still takes hold!  Lofts, Cellars, Disused buildings – any place that is rarely visited by human feet and is behind a closed door holds a certain appeal.

Loft Rafters (2010)

THE MOST EXCITING LOFT I EVER WENT INTO

So, imagine the joy that fell upon my simple face, when I had the chance to go into the loft above the hall at the college I work at.

This met the brief on a number of different points:

1) It was a loft

2) It was at a college (and the place I work) so held even more excitement and mystery

3) I had to climb onto the roof to get in there and as any self respecting person knows, going on a roof is a guaranteed good time.

Loft Blocked Up Door (2010)

WHAT MYSTERY LIES BEHIND A LONG CLOSED DOOR?

So was this mystery place as exciting as I had hoped?  Well, no – obviously not, but that is kind of besides the point.

Up until you open the door, the sense of mystery still remains – what lays beyond it is unknown.  Rarely do people go up there, so there is always a chance of finding something incredible, unseen by eyes for many decades.

In my limited experience of exploring such locations, I admit that I have never found anything exciting.  A bag of cement ( gone hard) or some smokeless fuel perhaps, but never anything that could really live up to my initial high expectations.

Lofty Wine (2010)

THE GOONIES EFFECT

So what is the appeal when the reality rarely meets expectation?

Well, this is the point of my post (besides showing some moderately interesting photographs I took up there).

I blame it on The Goonies.  Not just The Goonies – but that whole kids adventure genre, where a romping good yarn begins by finding something in a loft or a barn or a run down derelict property.  You know the sort – kids have hard life as parents are cruel – kids want something to break the monotony of suburban existence – kids find shed/barn/building/loft/cellar and go in to look around – a few random things scare them and then they stumble across a map/treasure/hobo/alien/monster/criminal – there begins an adventure that 1) gives them some excitement 2) makes them realise their home town is great 3) makes them realise their friends are great and their enemies are actually there friends 4) makes them realise their parents are great; and sometimes 5) gives them some form of riches that set them up for life.

Now, anyone who grew up not looking for such adventures, clearly had a miss spent childhood – as building dens and going into lofts looking for maps is clearly how one should spend ones formative years rather than being stuck behind a X-station-wee-advanced playing video games.

Loft Pulley (2010)

And that is my theory.  It is rather simple and a bit rubbish I know, but a theory none the less.  That excitement instilled in us as children, that a Famous Five style adventure is entirety feasible and is actually quite likely to happen if you go to places you shouldn’t and explore places that few men tread, stays with us to adulthood.

Of course, I speak in the plural here, when I can only really account for my own actions.  Although nothing of consequence was found during my loft adventure, part of me did still believe it was possible I would find something exciting!  And whilst that belief, no matter how small, rest in your soul – child like excitement at doing rather unexciting things will remain!

Before I go, I would like to share with you a funny loft story from when I was younger.  Call me a strange kid, but sometimes I used to go into the loft just for larks.  No real goal in mind, just an excuse to clamber up and have a look around – after all, who knows what could be up there.  Anyway, one such day, as I stuck my head through the hatch, I saw my brother.  But he was meant to be at work – doing his Saturday job at the local shop.  I was rather confused and slightly shocked at seeing his face staring back at me.  My immediate thought was he had been sacked and didn’t want to tell my parents so was hiding in the loft so he could pretend he had been at work.  I quickly asked him what he was doing, to which I received no reply.  It was then I realised I was looking at my own reflection in a mirror which had been placed just by the hatch.  What a fool I felt.  True if not sad story!

Loft Rubbish (2010)

Loft Abstract (2010)

Continuing my explorations of the Lomo – behold some more images.

These I have dubbed The Fashion Shoot – taken on a trip to London when I checked out Nick Knight’s Show Studio exhibition / event at Somerset House.

Yeah, I know what people are saying:

“He’s always banging on about car boot sales”

But what of it – I am a fan!  We all know that!  I highly advocate other people selling their tat to me at knock down superstore prices.  In fact, that’s how I can afford to buy things, without boot sales and charity shops – I would be scuppered!

Anyway, in my previous posts: Brighton’s Sunday Market is moving! & Brighton Car Boot Sale / Sunday Market…The Facts I have shared various pieces of invaluable information about Brighton’s best market, but I thought it was about time for some more interesting images.

So here is a little photo story from a recent visit to the sale, which reflects some of the variety of brilliant items one can find.

Enjoy and go visit yourself (details of where, when and how here).

TECH INFO – All shot on Nikon FG-20 on Kodak Royal Supra 200 film.

Following on from my previous post – Lomofile – Weather Images I present the next collection of images cobbled together from my first few Lomo films.

One of the great things about the Mini Diana is it will take half frame shots – meaning you can get up to 72 shots out of a 36 exposure film!  Plus, they are a really pleasing format I think.  Anyway, you can stick it in half frame mode and then create diptychs, either intentionally by remembering what your previous shot was, or by throwing caution to the wind and snapping away and leaving it to chance if the images look good together.

Below is a couple of the ones I liked from my first films.

LOMOFILE – THE DIPTYCHS PART i

NOTE – click on an image to load up in a full size viewer.

Liking the Lomo shots?  Your comments would be welcome as this is a new style for me too!

As I mentioned in my previous post FIELD TEST – WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GIVE A VERY SMALL CHILD A CAMERA TO PLAY WITH? I mentioned that I batch processed about a years worth of films after having delayed so for lack-of-financial reasons!  On one of the 35mm films, I found some shots taken when being a “responsible adult” on a school trip to London.  First stop was the Victoria & Albert Museum for a general peruse, followed by a visit to the Design Museum to see Super Contemporary alongside a Javier Mariscal retrospective.

As always, I have little or nothing to say about the exhibitions – if you were interested in that, you should have gone yourselves

But I did take a lot of photographs that day, which is much more interesting.  isn’t it?

SCHOOL TRIPS TO LONDON AND THE PAIN OF COACH TRAVEL

Coach Window (2010)

Taking a coach to London is generally a rubbish idea.  Nobody does it, apart from 1) old people on a day out, 2) broke people who are using Megabus and of course 3) school trips.

It is slow, uncomfortable and ultimately frustrating.  Why anyone would choose it as a method of transport is beyond me – when there is another means, take it!  That’s what I reckon.

Anyway, as I was on a school trip, there was little choice – but at least I had a camera for company and being one of the “responsible adults” I got to sit at the front under the watchful gaze of the vast windscreen, which provided almost constant entertainment from its reflection.

If it wasn’t for putting the bus driver off, who probably thought I was some kind of coach spotter, I would have taken many photographs of it.

Desgner Curtain (2010)

Floor // Foot // Shadow (2010)

THE DESIGN MUSEUM, LONDON

To be honest, I wasn’t that interested in visiting the design museum!  I went on the trip as it was a day out, generally speaking – I find graphic design a bit of a dull thing to view in a museum or gallery environment.

Ignorant I am sure – but I see design around me every minute of every day and it does little for me in this setting.  I am sure it is because I am missing something and I get why good design is artistic, important and clever – but it usually leaves me a little dry.

But, where there is dullness – there is always interest.  The eye wanders and spots a line, shape, shadow or colour and the whole trip has been made worth it.  Luckily, photography means the whole world is your museum and anywhere you find yourself, something interesting will find you.

JAVIER MARISCAL & SUPER CONTEMPORARY

Jazzy Paintings (2010)

Come on then – lets mention something about the exhibits on display.  First up, I can remember little or nothing about the Super Contemporary show!  I seem to remember there was a few interesting pieces of design in there, but generally – I wasn’t that bothered by it (see above!).

BUT – Javier Mariscal, yeah that was actually rather brilliant.  Whilst I was aware of Mariscal’s work, I had no idea what his name was or who he was!  I had simple absorbed his illustrations in various guises and various mediums.

Perhaps one thing most people might know his work from is Cobi - a cubist dog that was adopted as the mascot for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.  Reports have it that Cobi soon became the most profitable mascot the games has ever seen.  Cobi went on to have his own cartoon!

All in all, Mariscal’s work was playful, colourful, highly diverse and highly prolific!  It was a joy to see and a bit like stepping into the mind of a slightly deranged child!  Brilliant.

Check out his work (http://www.mariscal.com/) as it really is worth some investigation and is colourful in a way only the Spanish seem to be able to pull off.

SKY V (2010)

Nice!  I love school trips.  Not only do I get to see art and get paid for it, it is also a great chance to go to our fair capital city and take photographs…and get paid for it!  Long live the rule of the technician.

I have been aware of the growing obsession with lo-fi camera’s like the Lomo or Holga for a while, but only really a background awareness.  Whilst I liked the aesthetic of these cameras, I never investigated them too deeply, probably from a fear of getting obsessed myself.  Plus, I own far too many camera’s as it is, so buying more always seems daft.  But – a rebellion against the high tech world of digital photography cannot fail to excite when I have a constant craving to shoot on film whenever the digital click of my Nikon sounds.

However, when my good friend Andrew “Goz” Gosling presented me with a Lomo Mini Diana for my 30th in December – I was bowled over.  Finally a chance to play with this cult bit of kit for myself and see what all the fuss was about.  I have taken about 5 films so far and had 3 processed.  It took me the first two films just to get to grips with shooting in such a basic way and ‘from the hip’  But by the 3rd film I was hooked and my Diana now travels most places I go.  Alongside my digital SLR, I feel ready to document whatever the world throws at me.

So, having gone through the images to date I have cobbled together a few series of shots and would very much like to share them with you.

LOMOFILE – THE WEATHER SERIES PART 1

NOTE – click on an image to load up in a full size viewer.

TECH INFO – All images shot on Lomo Mini Diana, Fuji Fujichrome Provia 100F (Colour  Reversal Film – Cross Processed).

For more information on Lomography check the official website (but be warned – there are lots of images and you might be there hours!)