Rafal Pruszynski – Riverside

Well, the context of this work is better put by Rafal himself that I would be able to explain so, get it in ya' first before looking at the photo's.

I shot “Riverside” at the same time as I shot Little Pieces of us, and both are still on-going projects. The shooting, and showing of Pieces was a very intense experience since it was highly personal and highly intimate. I began Riverside first as simply a visually interesting project, but it quickly turned into a counter to Pieces. Whereas Pieces was very intense, Riverside was a way for me to get away from that, to step back, become more contemplative. Riverside and Pieces are opposites in many ways. One is black and white, one is color. One is more in the moment, shot on intuition, the other more composed. Riverside, became an escape from Pieces, and as such it can even be viewed as another side of the same coin. With Pieces I had co-authors very much involved in the project. With Riverside it was just me.

One thing I’m most interested in with the projects I shoot is to explore my immediate world. I don’t travel often and when I do I find that I am never happy with the photos I take. With my immediate surroundings I can take time to explore and to get what I intend. Most of the photographs in this project were shot within walking distance of where I live or work.

Riverside is a chapter in a larger on-going project entitled “Marooned”. South Korea though not technically an island, is still cut off from the rest of Asia by North Korea, a barrier more difficult to cross than any sea or ocean. It is therefore a de-facto island, an island I have been living on for the last 8 years. “Marooned” is my look at the island that has been my home for nearly a decade, and will remain so for another 2 years.

Check out his photo essay at burnmagazine

BBC Feature

I got featured on the BBC Cumbria website, a nice surprise. I sent stuff in ages ago and only realised today that I have been featured on the main arts page.

Have a look HERE

John Pfahl

His work has interested me for sometime now, his oldest (professional) project began his exploration of the landscape that surrounds us, this project aims to outline elements of the scenes to create compositions that wouldn't other-wisely have the same impact.

Images Copyright John Pfahl 2009

For more of his projects, have a look HERE

in Bb 2.0

THIS HERE is one of the most individual, unique and exciting idea's i have seen in a long time!

Nietzsche’s Last Days

I was out today with my mates band, we are working together to try and get some promo shots together for their new demo/website and whatever else requires imagery.

We didnt really have many ideas for locations so we just drove around looking for something interesting. Here are a few images from todays shoot, there should be more up at the end of next week depending on how the next shoot goes.

Check the bands self produced demo out HERE

Yao Lu

I have just come across something that has blown my mind visually. Have a look at this work by Yao Lao, then look closer! HERE and HERE

His/Her not sure on the sex of this artist but its not them at this moment in time I find interesting, The reference to ancient chinese painting combined with 'Human relationship with landscape'(a personal favorite) is astounding. I want to see them hanging infront of my face!

Simply.......

Just another place I rest on the old 'RecordS'

18miles this time

posing a question

As you may know Im interested in our (as humans) relationship with the landscape and how this is changing, and has been changing rapidly since the Industrial Revolution.

These three images are at probably the most extreme end of one side of the spectrum, mainly because of the process involved to get them how they look now.

All these photo's were composed, framed etc in Google Street View, then mildly touched in photoshop, mainly colours. In todays western world you don't even need to leave your armchair to go 'taking photographs'. In relation with our landscapes, you can basically wander (so to speak) around the open countryside, cities etc and take in the views of places you have never been; sad really that someone thought this would be a good idea, although I cant see it becoming a replacement.

These first 3 images are within 15mins of my house, depending on how i feel towards this idea, i may post some more later in the week.

tell me what you think, do you have any questions?

MSF

I just seen this 'advert' on Manchester Photography, very gripping footage but I dont know if I agree with what MSF is trying to achieve with this approach, especially since it is being used as a cinema advertisement for the charity.

Its understandable that they are going for the shock factor but I think the creators or 'visionaries' for this clip are far connected from the people out in Africa conducting the aid work, True that things like this happen but this is not the only work that MSF conducts and not all of Africa is like this? Its confusing what they are trying to say and I think the creators didnt really think it through properly, If the boys family hadn't have been destroyed would the doctor still help him? is the audio real? are we seeing the scene first hand? many questions on a tough subject. Im not sure what my opinion is at this moment in time.

Insane!

Im a bit partial to a good skate video from time to time

Huge Inspiration

image copyright Sky news 2009

I remember the first time I heard an electric guitar being played in front of me and it was a life changing experience, the tone, the emotion that can be captured through a few strings, some wiring, a speaker and a good slice of wood. I've been playing the guitar ever since, completely obsessed with the endless amount of options and medative properties that guitar playing holds.

A true Genius and I'm sure will be missed, but at least he left an awesome legacy behind to be remembered by!

Farewell Les Paul

Day 6

Getting things together in our bags for the next stage of the journey to lough Neagh and potentially on home to Carrickfergus, all today hopefully; 67 Miles.

My bed was like sleeping in a half open book or a badly dug trench, worst night comfort-wise so far, would rather have preferred the tent.

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We made it the entire way on day 6 back home, with the one stop in Ballymena. with the only two falls on the bikes during the trip. I comically fell off at a small roundabout and Aaron got his eye divebombed by a bee or somthing big on a dual carrigeway, he also fell off.

Day 5

Left around lunch and made our way to Dunluce Castle, then onto Portrush where I bought a dodgey salad from costcutter, really gloopy and slimy. So we just had had roast beef and red onion sarnies by the harbour.

Headed on round the coast to Portstewart where eventually we found Ricks Hostel, not craigs hostel as I had thought. We sat by the shore with a few tins on Bass after a couple of Black Bush in the Anchor (yeehaarrr...!)

Day 4

09:30

Slept Brilliant as rain stopped. Didn't get invaded by ticks I think. Gonna get up and head for the boat back to Ballycastle.

In Bush Strand, camped near beach. Left Ballycastle and headed past Carrick-a-rede then stopped briefly at giants causeway carpark before heading to this strand/beach.

We had an awesome day, a good cycle, lots of ups and downs; the hills were pretty crazy! then after we set up our tents in the out of bounds area in the Golf Course, we headed to the beach and body surfed for a good hour, followed by dinner and a walk into what we thought was Port Ballintre but it was actually Bushmills.

Had a few bottles from the Offies then sat on the beach...

All in all a good day.

Goodnight

Day 3

21:50

Just sitting on Rathlin, on the coast at the top of a plateau in my tent.

Rain is pouring down which is quite noisy. Earlier, we went round the coast, seen and explored some monumental coastal scenery. Was like something from a fantasy novel, reminded me of 'Shadow of a Dark Queen' when they land/shipwrecked on Novindus for the first time.

We have be plagued by various insects as this place is virtually untouched by humans; Mainly grass ticks, absolutely everywhere. Every 5 mins you find half a dozen on your arms/legs/torso, a right pain in the arse! I'm getting bitten as I write.

We have been getting invaded all day since we pitched tent.

Was at lighthouse and seen a small colony of puffins, a spanish guy who had lived in Whitehead gave me a bird badge and I gave him a pound, he also worked there.

During heavy rain after dinner - Hangman Results -

'The Dark Knight' 5lives left Aaron 1

'Man on Wire' 5lives left Andy 1

'Lost in La Mancha' 2lives left Aaron 1

'Castaway' 5lives left Andy 1

'Heat' 1life left Aaron 1

'Apollo 13' 4lives left Andy 1

'Space Jam' 0lives left Aaron 0

22:12

Fairly warm, although it is still loud from rain. Tired and Excited for what lies ahead for tomorrow.

22:44

Beyond Care, too tired, going to sleep.

Day 2

After the previous day all we wanted was a day of rest, there's only one photo from ballycastle but I think it portrays the days events perfectly.

---Journal Entry

Cycled from Glenariff to Ballycastle, 17miles; 9 or which were uphill over a mountain! very hard work to say the least. At hostel now, just got washed off the beach by the rain. Did get to swim in icy sea with Rathlin Island on the Horizon, hopefully be on there in the morning.

Well over halfway now until portstewart, which is why we rest today. Bike ride this morning to about 2 hours.

Just had shower, no idea of the time now although I think fish & chips are needed, and a pint.

Our room mate is a diver from west Meath, he's dived around Rathlin but hasn't been on the island yet, we might see him there tomorrow.

Pub sounds good now though!

Day 1

Im going to add my diary entries along with the photographs from the last five days; which are relevant to the individual entries.

09.04 - Set off early in morning, made it to carnfunnock by 11 - had an orange for a boost

then Glenariff by 3. Showered then went to cook dinner, I had bought wrong gas; cycled 3 miles on dodgey roads to get some un-cookable food.

Ate. witnessed my tent getting raped by flying ants

Walked down 'rainbow trail' then invented a new form of table tennis, involving pot lids and pinecones.

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All images copyright Andrew Clarke

Check back tomorrow for Day 2

A taster...

...From my journey up the Antrim/Causeway Coast line.

I felt the need to create an image for my 'Halfway From Home' ideology, this image was created at Bush Strand, near Bushmills.

Il post all the images from the roll later, but for now, just a taster....

Due North

Im setting off tomorrow with a friend to cycle up the Antrim Coast, from Carrickfergus to Portstewart way up in the north of the country. Wish me luck and il be back in a week with hopefully some interesting photos and story's to go with.

Human Relationship with Landscape (The Topographic Movement)

Copyright Jason Lazarus 2009

The New Topographics photography movement, started in the 1970s. Mainly through young photographers looking to explore how the planet we inhibit is viewed, perceived and ultimately treated. It challenged back then the idea or thought process behind what a landscape photograph was, questioning the work of Ansel Adams for example and how imagery like this sits in todays contemporary world; does anyone see scenes like this anymore, and does anyone want to see things like this anymore. Is the romanticism of these scenes lost on todays individual?

"Exploring man’s inherent interaction with nature – its manipulation, destruction, and regeneration – adds an element of stark honesty into an otherwise romanticized and phony idyll that is landscape photography."

Jonathan Feinstein

HIs book titled “In the Dirt: Young Photographers Rethinking the Human Relationship to the Contemporary Landscape” sheds light on the predecessors, whose influence is important, but gives a much-needed fresh perspective. worth a read!

Jason Lazarus’ photograph “Wall of Fire” presents just that: an ominous blaze whose destructive power is palpable but just far enough for the viewer to enjoy the surrounding beauty it can potentially devastate. The image is at once that of a sculptural structure and an elemental force. An equally poignant work is Rachel Sussman’s photograph of a forlorn tree standing alone amidst a rock quarry, large cracks ready to open and swallow the little tree fighting for survival. Sussman’s image reconfigures societal problems and human shortcomings by capturing a scene in the isolation of pure nature.

Source Block Magazine

Image of Winter in the Sun