Torbay Trojans @ Portsmouth Dreadnoughts

The Portsmouth Dreadnoughts took on fellow BAFANL South West newcomers the Torbay Trojans. Kick-off was at 14:30 at Victory Field, Alexandra Park on the 22nd June 2014.

A time-lapse of some of the game to give a feel for the size, speed and time involved.

 

Northern Delights

Salts Mill Gallery, Saltaire.

Impressions Gallery.

Bradford 1 Gallery.

National Media Museum.

I think the one thing that annoys me most about galleries, including the Turner Contemporary in Margate, is their insistence on banning all photography within the art space. Why can I not take a photograph of an image I like that is hanging in your art gallery?

If I am ever lucky enough to have a solo show, I will have a sign stating exactly the opposite. "Photography is NOT banned." You can hold me to that, even when I'm rich and famous.

Chris

Projects

On the way back from my recent trip up north I was able to formulate a few of the ideas in my head into words on paper. It's official, I have a first draft for each of the required pro formas. As a teaser, and out of interest to look back on in six months time, below are each of my modules and the related working title of the project.

Major Practical Project | Bookface
Independent & Art | Free
Dissertation | Beyond 'The Decisive Moment'
Professional & Community Practice | Exposed

None of these are ready to be signed off as yet, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. I just need to find some time to iron out some of the creases and develop each of the ideas further.

Chris

ScanFace

New Topographics

NT#01

NT#02

NT#03

New Topographics in Photography. In the style of Laurenz Berges.

Chris

Instant Failure, Lasting Success

Bicycle Diptych

Continuing on with the theme of showcasing imperfect images, Bicycle Diptych brings together two out-of-date Instax prints.

In just a couple of hours the print on the left started to degrade (see bottom and top left corners). Although I like this added, or rather lost, detail, the death of this image is, sadly, a reality.

Chris

The Pursuit of Sharpness

There goes an old rumour in photography that it's possible for a photograph to be blurry and / or out of focus, and yet still be a success. The problem with rumours is that they can spring from anywhere, without warning and without any real grounding.

A photograph that is not sharp can be a great image. This rumour is particularly worrying as it is very nasty, in fact it is one of the worst types of rumours possible. It is a truth. It is the truth.

Too often we strive for perfection, we attempt to freeze time, we want only clarity. Cameras, I believe, should not have a 'delete' button, at least then we would think about what we are taking. Tomorrow's generation of photographers will perhaps never truly appreciate what it is to take just one photograph, to stick with whatever it is that was captured first time. Even if ultimately the shot was missed.

The beauty of digital photography is that there is always a camera poised to capture a moment, providing you've remembered to charge the battery and empty the memory card. This image was captured using a mobile phone. It should be a sin. Still, better a photo taken with a low resolution camera and kept, than one that is take with a high resolution camera and is condemned to the recycling bin.
Maybe there's hope for me yet...

Chris

The Wonders of 3D

Just thought I'd post this experiment from the other month since I will be returning to this in the next week or so.

Stereoview:

Animated GIF:

Chris

App; In Search of Hockney

The first foray into the world of mobile applications has led to this self-published app concerning the In Search of Hockney project. Although very basic, this should hopefully provide the building blocks for more advanced designs in the near future.

Only available on Android Market.

Chris

A Philosophical Dilemma

In an article entitled Monkey Business (Professional Photographer, October 2011, Pg.62-63) Peter Stevenson raises an interesting problem, albeit in a humorous tone.

The question goes as follows: "...has anybody asked whether a million monkeys with a million digital cameras would eventually shoot the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson?"

After some thought I am able to provide an answer which resolves this philosophical dilemma almost as soon as it has been asked. Quite simply the solution lies in the wording of the question. These monkeys will never succeed.

It is not an issue of skill, timing, or even composition. It is the equipment of choice which will inevitably be their downfall, "...a million digital cameras...". Beyond any reasonable doubt the works of Cartier-Bresson cannot be replicated to a sufficient level through the use of digital photography.

I am not a film snob, in fact I often choose digital over film for pure ease, but the monkeys need to take a long hard look at who sold them their equipment.

Chris

To the Corner Shop and back...

Tourists & Mirrors

Broadstairs High Street

Wingham Wildlife Park

Imagine at the Old Lookout

I was lucky enough to be involved in a small exhibition at the Old Lookout Gallery in Broadstairs over the last weekend. There was a great mixture of work on display, showing the real diversity that bringing eleven of this year's second year Photography Students together creates, no two pieces were alike.

 

 

A few hours spent curating on Sunday afternoon where a great experience, even if the number of visitors was slightly lacking due to the poor weather. Thankfully with Anita and Joy for company, this didn't get our spirits down.

Chris