Just a quick post to let you all know I have now put together a Model Portfolio Package Price list.
You can download it from my website from this page:
You can download it from my website from this page:
Showing posts with label belfast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label belfast. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Model Portfolio Package: NOW AVAILABLE
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Shout out for Models / future Models!
Morning guys,
This is just a quick shout out for those living locally to Belfast, Bangor, Co.Down area.
I'm looking to build up my own personal contacts for models that would be interested in photo shoots for prints for their portfolio.
I'm looking to expand my own photography portfolio and I'm concentrating on fashion imagery at this moment in time.
If you, or anyone you may know would be up for putting there name on my list, then please do contact me with the following information and a photograph attached.
Looking both males and females. All different looks and styles, each person will fit a certain type of theme, so if you aren't contacted, it doesn't mean you aren't on the list!
- NAME:
- DOB:
- LOCATION:
- INTERESTS:
- MUSIC:
- CONTACT DETAILS:
- jpg. photo attachment.
Please forward information to:
s.taylorphotography@live.com
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Skate Park Images, First ones!
Today I FINALLY got to get to a local skate park to get some boarding and blading images on the go. This has been on my list of things to photograph for around a year now, and feels great to have a few new ones to add to the collection.
These were taken at The Bridges Skate Park, Belfast. Which is free to use and open between 7:30am-10pm. Everyone of different abilities down there, lots of friendly people too!
Enjoy the images. Hoping to get some more at this location over the next week or two.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Back to Cyberspace!
Hey guys,
First of all, I had not realized how long it had been since I have posted here, time has just flown by the past month as I have been busy wrapping up end of year photography projects for college.
All the hard work paid off as I was awarded the Annual Photography prize for my end of year show "Then & Now."
 |
| "Then & Now" - SERC Exhibition |
It was a series of black and white images, created using a twin lens, medium format camera. Influenced by capturing the past and mixing it with the present, inspired by old family images I had found.
Needless to say, I'm over the moon! It's the cherry on the cake to the past few years devoted to photography at college. So it was nice to put a very happy ending to the whole thing.
The Exhibition this year was a great success, there was a wide range of both artwork and photography, which is always great to see.
In the meantime, here is a link to Professor Paul Seawright's website:
I have been on location with a few shoots during May, and have another couple lined up for June. As promised, there will be a bit on lighting techniques and how the images were created.
Will keep up to date now I have a bit more time to put into the blog!
Keep posted, I'll keep posting!
Friday, 30 March 2012
Old Photographs
So! After unearthing a lot of old photographs, (and I mean a lot) - I have decided to do a post every few days of one of the old photographs.
I'm one of these photographers that is constantly fascinated and amazed at old photographs. They always leave me wondering.
Who the people were, why they were their, where are they now, are they alive, are they dead, who was standing behind the camera, what was their reasons?
All the questions and chances of getting an answer often, very slim!
So, with that, here is the first image :) Martin Parr - Eat your heart out!
I love the vibrant colors in the image, the curtains, the shirts, along with the ice-cream and the lady eating it.
It's has classic, Martin Parr written all over it.
Snapshot, color photography. Showing part of society frozen in time.
I hope that these entertaining and intrigue you as much as it does to I!
Lengthly postings have been slow lately (and I apologize) as I have been busy working on several projects at once and will be doing so until May. BUT, I will keep you updated and hopefully get a lesson of sorts up after all the hard work is done.
Until then, enjoy some of this vintage imagery!
I'm one of these photographers that is constantly fascinated and amazed at old photographs. They always leave me wondering.
Who the people were, why they were their, where are they now, are they alive, are they dead, who was standing behind the camera, what was their reasons?
All the questions and chances of getting an answer often, very slim!
So, with that, here is the first image :) Martin Parr - Eat your heart out!
I love the vibrant colors in the image, the curtains, the shirts, along with the ice-cream and the lady eating it.
It's has classic, Martin Parr written all over it.
Snapshot, color photography. Showing part of society frozen in time.
I hope that these entertaining and intrigue you as much as it does to I!
Lengthly postings have been slow lately (and I apologize) as I have been busy working on several projects at once and will be doing so until May. BUT, I will keep you updated and hopefully get a lesson of sorts up after all the hard work is done.
Until then, enjoy some of this vintage imagery!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Quick Update! - Current works
Hey guys,
Just thought I would hop on here and give you all a quick update on the blog, my works and other items in progess!
I have quite a few projects on the go at the moment.
The first and main one being, adding more to my works on Urban Exploration.
My Final Major Project the end this year in college will be based around this - so needless to say, it is the priority at the moment.
I am hoping to travel out to Chernobyl, Ukraine over the next couple of months for a documentary photography project there.
I will be working alongside photographer Jan Smith, you can check out his website here:
Other projects include various photo shoots on location for models. This will be keeping the creative part of my brain on fire! I hope to get a few lessons up on lighting on location also during these shoots - along with some photographs to show you how some images are created. So expect a lesson on that during April.
Just thought I would hop on here and give you all a quick update on the blog, my works and other items in progess!
I have quite a few projects on the go at the moment.
The first and main one being, adding more to my works on Urban Exploration.
My Final Major Project the end this year in college will be based around this - so needless to say, it is the priority at the moment.
I am hoping to travel out to Chernobyl, Ukraine over the next couple of months for a documentary photography project there.
I will be working alongside photographer Jan Smith, you can check out his website here:
He has done some really nice work on abandonment around the globe. Jan also writes a blog that is definately worth a look at and read, it includes his own imagery along with his writings.
Check it out here:
Other projects include various photo shoots on location for models. This will be keeping the creative part of my brain on fire! I hope to get a few lessons up on lighting on location also during these shoots - along with some photographs to show you how some images are created. So expect a lesson on that during April.
Another project that I'm beginning (with much fustraion so far) is going to be a series of 4 sets of Polaroid images.
Progress has been slow on this one and also costly, as sourcing worthy Polaroid film is a costly task, but once I find a few that give results, then that project will be fully in the works.
I'm heading to a lecture tomorrow in The University of Ulster, Belfast - The talk will be hosted by Sean O'Hagan and is titled "A Photographic Story." I'm looking forward to this and will hopefully get a review up on the blog before the end of the month.
As for the future, there is one exhibition being displayed in Belfast that I'm really looking forward to seeing - "Open Shutters of Iraq" by Eugenie Dolberg is opeing in the Belfast Exposed Gallery on Thrusday 10th May 7-9pm. This one is definitely on my list!
As for updates of my own images, check out the Flickr page here:
There's some black and white film work I have just submitted, along with some Polaroid tests and a few others from being out and about in Northern Ireland.
Enjoy!
Monday, 19 March 2012
EXHIBITION REVIEW: "Churches" by Sylvia Grace Borda
"Churches"
Photographs by Sylvia Grace Borda
Where: Belfast Exposed Gallery
When: 20 January to 2 March 2012
Review by Suzi Taylor
The artist, Sylvia Grace Borda is Canadian-born, but has been living and working in Northern Ireland for the past number of years.
She has studied Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia (MFA) and Media and Photography at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (BFA).
Borda has had many solo exhibitions worldwide. From Vancouver to Ottawa, Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Belfast.
Borda has also received a number of public grants and awards for her works from 2005 onwards.
This latest exhibition from Borda has been supported by several departments throughout Northern Ireland, including the Arts Council, Belfast City Council and the National Museums of Northern Ireland.
"Churches" - the latest work from Sylvia Grave Borda was the last exhibition hosted by the Belfast Exposed Gallery.
I visited this gallery during January to see what the work of Borda was all about.
I had read a few tasters on what was to be expected and went to this exhibit open minded as usual and keen to see some photography that was new to me.
Visiting exhibition is a great way to get inspired or find some influence if you are hitting the wall with your own projects.
However, I couldn't help but find this work (with great disappointment,) un-inspiring.
I entered the gallery and it was a different set up to the usual empty white room with images around the walls.
The space had been blocked off by a huge black wall, outside of which, was a display table with items encased in glass.
These items were several artifacts from churches around Ireland.
I had picked up the information sheets on the way in so took a few minutes to read through these before moving onto the next part.
The table of artifacts were in fact a series of ceramic objects, on loan, from Government collections in Northern Ireland. Amongst the items was a traditional 'souvenir plate' which is often used as a token of remembrance.
I saw the connection here of the reason Borda work was printed onto plates, but had not yet seen the main body of work.
I continued around the corner of the black wall and followed a short corridor of blackness until I reached the room the images were displayed in.
The room was square, dimly light (around three lights perhaps) and in the centre, was a long table with each plate set out as if you could sit down and have a meal.
My first reaction was to think this was possibly influenced by the last supper, but a quick count before looking closer showed that Borda had 18 plates at the table (not 12 as I had originally assumed.)
There were a handful of seats around the table for perching on. These were handy as Borda had an extensive collection of images to show in this series of work.
These were being displayed at the wall at the end of the table via a projector. It beamed the images out, circling through them quickly.
I felt more time could have been given on each image, but since there was over 100 to get through, I can appreciate the speed these were being shown.
I lapped the table a couple of times and took a close look at the plates. It was a nice idea to reflect on the 'souvenier plate' with her imagery printed on them. I thought that was a nice touch and a different way of showing work.
Unfortunately, for me, I didn't find the images that enthralling. The buildings weren't visually captivating, and the way they were photographed, wasn't either.
Architecturally, these buildings always seemed bland and bleak to me. Flat, dull, and lifeless.
I felt the photographs were the same.
It took Borda 2 years to put together this project. I can appreciate here time, effort, and commitments to a project such as this, but I personally feel, do dedicate so much time to a subject, I would certainly want to have much more interesting results.
Photography is the most common form of documenting many things. From objects, people, places, and buildings. I feel that Borda has been committed to her work into "Churches." She has used it effectively as a way to capture a photographic survey of Northern Ireland's modernist churches.
Unfortunately, for me, I couldn't take much away from this exhibition. I left feeling a little disappoint and perhaps a little confused.
Then again, maybe I'm missing some sort of deep meaning to this work. With that, I decided to read more about Borda and her past works.
Her project "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC" connects me to her style of photography and to her "Churches" exhibition.
For this project, she had made it her purpose to photography (as the title helpfully suggests) every bus stop in Surrey, British Columbia.
This series of images can be seen here: "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC"
Patience is a fine thing, and I feel it is something that this artist has a lot of. That, alongside determination.
Although these images, rather uninspiring, have managed to create an extensive collection of many of the churches seen around Northern Ireland.
Maybe to locals, it is too much of a regular occurrence and are seen as fit to be ignored, nothing interesting here, time to move along. But to someone outside of our culture, it could be perhaps, more thought provoking.
That said, I do enjoy some of her other works, such as "Hotel Stirling" and "3176" - I recommend you check these out if you want to see more from this artist, and if "Churches" wasn't quite up your street.
Find out more on the artist Sylvia Grace Borda here on here website:
http://sylviagraceborda.com/index.html
More gallery reviews to come. I've been very busy with projects lately and haven't been writing as much as I would like to be, but do keep posted on the Facebook page or Twitter, all updates will be posted there.
The artist, Sylvia Grace Borda is Canadian-born, but has been living and working in Northern Ireland for the past number of years.
She has studied Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia (MFA) and Media and Photography at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (BFA).
Borda has had many solo exhibitions worldwide. From Vancouver to Ottawa, Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Belfast.
Borda has also received a number of public grants and awards for her works from 2005 onwards.
This latest exhibition from Borda has been supported by several departments throughout Northern Ireland, including the Arts Council, Belfast City Council and the National Museums of Northern Ireland.
"Churches" - the latest work from Sylvia Grave Borda was the last exhibition hosted by the Belfast Exposed Gallery.
I visited this gallery during January to see what the work of Borda was all about.
I had read a few tasters on what was to be expected and went to this exhibit open minded as usual and keen to see some photography that was new to me.
Visiting exhibition is a great way to get inspired or find some influence if you are hitting the wall with your own projects.
However, I couldn't help but find this work (with great disappointment,) un-inspiring.
I entered the gallery and it was a different set up to the usual empty white room with images around the walls.
The space had been blocked off by a huge black wall, outside of which, was a display table with items encased in glass.
These items were several artifacts from churches around Ireland.
I had picked up the information sheets on the way in so took a few minutes to read through these before moving onto the next part.
The table of artifacts were in fact a series of ceramic objects, on loan, from Government collections in Northern Ireland. Amongst the items was a traditional 'souvenir plate' which is often used as a token of remembrance.
I saw the connection here of the reason Borda work was printed onto plates, but had not yet seen the main body of work.
I continued around the corner of the black wall and followed a short corridor of blackness until I reached the room the images were displayed in.
The room was square, dimly light (around three lights perhaps) and in the centre, was a long table with each plate set out as if you could sit down and have a meal.
My first reaction was to think this was possibly influenced by the last supper, but a quick count before looking closer showed that Borda had 18 plates at the table (not 12 as I had originally assumed.)
 |
| "Coming to the Table" |
There were a handful of seats around the table for perching on. These were handy as Borda had an extensive collection of images to show in this series of work.
These were being displayed at the wall at the end of the table via a projector. It beamed the images out, circling through them quickly.
I felt more time could have been given on each image, but since there was over 100 to get through, I can appreciate the speed these were being shown.
I lapped the table a couple of times and took a close look at the plates. It was a nice idea to reflect on the 'souvenier plate' with her imagery printed on them. I thought that was a nice touch and a different way of showing work.
 |
| Souvenir Plate with image |
Unfortunately, for me, I didn't find the images that enthralling. The buildings weren't visually captivating, and the way they were photographed, wasn't either.
Architecturally, these buildings always seemed bland and bleak to me. Flat, dull, and lifeless.
I felt the photographs were the same.
It took Borda 2 years to put together this project. I can appreciate here time, effort, and commitments to a project such as this, but I personally feel, do dedicate so much time to a subject, I would certainly want to have much more interesting results.
Photography is the most common form of documenting many things. From objects, people, places, and buildings. I feel that Borda has been committed to her work into "Churches." She has used it effectively as a way to capture a photographic survey of Northern Ireland's modernist churches.
Unfortunately, for me, I couldn't take much away from this exhibition. I left feeling a little disappoint and perhaps a little confused.
Then again, maybe I'm missing some sort of deep meaning to this work. With that, I decided to read more about Borda and her past works.
Her project "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC" connects me to her style of photography and to her "Churches" exhibition.
For this project, she had made it her purpose to photography (as the title helpfully suggests) every bus stop in Surrey, British Columbia.
This series of images can be seen here: "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC"
Patience is a fine thing, and I feel it is something that this artist has a lot of. That, alongside determination.
Although these images, rather uninspiring, have managed to create an extensive collection of many of the churches seen around Northern Ireland.
Maybe to locals, it is too much of a regular occurrence and are seen as fit to be ignored, nothing interesting here, time to move along. But to someone outside of our culture, it could be perhaps, more thought provoking.
That said, I do enjoy some of her other works, such as "Hotel Stirling" and "3176" - I recommend you check these out if you want to see more from this artist, and if "Churches" wasn't quite up your street.
Find out more on the artist Sylvia Grace Borda here on here website:
http://sylviagraceborda.com/index.html
More gallery reviews to come. I've been very busy with projects lately and haven't been writing as much as I would like to be, but do keep posted on the Facebook page or Twitter, all updates will be posted there.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Flickr Update!
Hey guys,
Just wanted to put a quick post up here to connect you to my Flickr page.
I upgraded (finally!) so will be posting a lot more work up onto there.
Updates include:
So, check it out and keep posted, as I'll be keeping it as live as possible!
Thanks!
Just wanted to put a quick post up here to connect you to my Flickr page.
I upgraded (finally!) so will be posting a lot more work up onto there.
Updates include:
- Bands and live music
- Events
- Bar / Club promos
- Any personal works / projects
So, check it out and keep posted, as I'll be keeping it as live as possible!
Thanks!
Thursday, 8 March 2012
The Addiction that is Urban Exploration
Urban exploring is something I have been into for a few years now. Although it is something I would like to dedicated a lot more time to personally as it is an aspect of photography that involves risk and potential danger along the way. I myself find that hard to resist!
It is surprising how much information on this subject is out there, not to mention books and forums on the subject are widely available and definitely worth checking out if you are thinking this is something you want to get into.
Many people do it without a camera, others, thankfully like to document what they see and find with the rest of us through photography. This is where urban exploration becomes really interesting.
Seeing others work inspired me to go and find some locations for myself.
Finding places can be tricky, but once you get started, it becomes addictive and you are constantly on the look out for empty buildings, crumbling structures, waiting for places to close down. An ever growing list of new explores is always on hand.
I have a had a lot of people asking me where the building I photograph are located, but there are a few codes of conduct amongst urban explorers that stop such information being forwarded too easily!
This may sound stupid at first, but when I look at the amount of time I have spent hunting a few places down, it seems like a crime to go giving them out for free to others!
A great way to get the ball rolling is to find a few people that are also interested in the subject. I'm lucky enough to have a few friends who love photography and love exploring (and that have the balls to do it!) - I'm not denying it, it can be scary at times, but that's all part of the fun.......
Another bit of advice I can offer is to get online and to check out a few forums. I'm not into forums at all and generally despise them! BUT, for this topic, it is a great way to get out there and see what others are up too. What new finds they have, where they have been, where they are intending on going, and, most importantly, their location.
Finding a few members that are local to your area are a handy connection. Even if they don't give the locations away, you can make a rough guess at recognising them and making your own adventure from there :)
Here are some links to a few great forums on the subject:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/
http://www.silentuk.com/
http://www.urbansickness.co.uk/
http://urbanexplorers.net/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/990583@N23/
Once you have got to grips with the forums and you know the best way to go about exploring, it's time to get out there and make it happen.
You pictures and locations sure as hell wont happen themselves!
Another good thing to do is check out your local library in town or college. I have a few books (much to my surprise) on the topic.
Most libraries will have a local section too dedicated to history and heritage of your area, this is another good place to have a look and get some research together.
I found a book by Tarquin Blake which was based around many old building throughout Ireland.
Here is a link to his website:
http://www.abandonedireland.com/keywords.html
Once you have hit a few buildings, your work will start to grow quickly. You will also find that on some of the forums, if you prove yourself with enough of your own work and finds, you might just discover that the members are happy to help out with finding new locations or giving you a few hints as to where a few may be.
It's a bit of a trust thing, but it's a nice way to be. Otherwise, anyone and everyone would be doing it.
The unfortunate aspects that come with certain people knowing about these locations can be vandalism, which urban explorers find totally not cool!
As photographers, finding the areas without graffiti, damage, signs of homelessness etc is gold to us. The better images are left when the places have remained untouched and have only fallen apart naturally over time.
Vandalism can take away the creepy, 'time stands still' feeling to a lot of these places. It's more fun knowing that without graffiti, empty bottles, mattress and old shoes, that you and probably only a handful of others have been through the location.
Enough talk for now, here are a few pics.......
Some of this work of mine is from last year, but I have a few finds that I'm hoping to explore next week as I have a bit of free time from college work, so expect a few new and interesting finds up on my pages soon.
Hope this small article will help you on your way to getting some nice images of abandoned spaces....along with experiencing the thrill, risk and fear of it all too!
Have fun guys!
Urban exploration: Discovering and exploring man made structures that have been disused and abandoned for often a long period of time.
It is surprising how much information on this subject is out there, not to mention books and forums on the subject are widely available and definitely worth checking out if you are thinking this is something you want to get into.
Many people do it without a camera, others, thankfully like to document what they see and find with the rest of us through photography. This is where urban exploration becomes really interesting.
Seeing others work inspired me to go and find some locations for myself.
Finding places can be tricky, but once you get started, it becomes addictive and you are constantly on the look out for empty buildings, crumbling structures, waiting for places to close down. An ever growing list of new explores is always on hand.
I have a had a lot of people asking me where the building I photograph are located, but there are a few codes of conduct amongst urban explorers that stop such information being forwarded too easily!
This may sound stupid at first, but when I look at the amount of time I have spent hunting a few places down, it seems like a crime to go giving them out for free to others!
A great way to get the ball rolling is to find a few people that are also interested in the subject. I'm lucky enough to have a few friends who love photography and love exploring (and that have the balls to do it!) - I'm not denying it, it can be scary at times, but that's all part of the fun.......
Another bit of advice I can offer is to get online and to check out a few forums. I'm not into forums at all and generally despise them! BUT, for this topic, it is a great way to get out there and see what others are up too. What new finds they have, where they have been, where they are intending on going, and, most importantly, their location.
Finding a few members that are local to your area are a handy connection. Even if they don't give the locations away, you can make a rough guess at recognising them and making your own adventure from there :)
Here are some links to a few great forums on the subject:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/
http://www.silentuk.com/
http://www.urbansickness.co.uk/
http://urbanexplorers.net/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/990583@N23/
Once you have got to grips with the forums and you know the best way to go about exploring, it's time to get out there and make it happen.
You pictures and locations sure as hell wont happen themselves!
Another good thing to do is check out your local library in town or college. I have a few books (much to my surprise) on the topic.
Most libraries will have a local section too dedicated to history and heritage of your area, this is another good place to have a look and get some research together.
I found a book by Tarquin Blake which was based around many old building throughout Ireland.
Here is a link to his website:
http://www.abandonedireland.com/keywords.html
Once you have hit a few buildings, your work will start to grow quickly. You will also find that on some of the forums, if you prove yourself with enough of your own work and finds, you might just discover that the members are happy to help out with finding new locations or giving you a few hints as to where a few may be.
It's a bit of a trust thing, but it's a nice way to be. Otherwise, anyone and everyone would be doing it.
The unfortunate aspects that come with certain people knowing about these locations can be vandalism, which urban explorers find totally not cool!
As photographers, finding the areas without graffiti, damage, signs of homelessness etc is gold to us. The better images are left when the places have remained untouched and have only fallen apart naturally over time.
Vandalism can take away the creepy, 'time stands still' feeling to a lot of these places. It's more fun knowing that without graffiti, empty bottles, mattress and old shoes, that you and probably only a handful of others have been through the location.
Enough talk for now, here are a few pics.......
Some of this work of mine is from last year, but I have a few finds that I'm hoping to explore next week as I have a bit of free time from college work, so expect a few new and interesting finds up on my pages soon.
Hope this small article will help you on your way to getting some nice images of abandoned spaces....along with experiencing the thrill, risk and fear of it all too!
Have fun guys!
Sunday, 19 February 2012
EXHIBITION REVIEW: "Contraband" by Taryn Simon
"Contraband"
Images by Taryn Simon
Where: Belfast Exposed Gallery
When: 28 October to 30 December 2011
Review by Suzi Taylor
I was eager in anticipation for this exhibition to open. I had read about it on the Belfast Exposed website and was counting the days until I had to opportunity to visit it.
The image used to advertise this selection of work was both a powerful and a curious one. It certainly intrigued me anyway!
Entitled 'Bird Corpse,' it had a dark essence about it, yet it somehow acted as a somewhat stomach churning bait to invite you in to see this exhibition.
The artist, Taryn Simon is a native New Yorker, born in 1975. Simon's style of photography has a very forensic / documentary approach to it. Her work has been exhibited in many institutions throughout the world's major cities. Some of these include galleries in London, New York, Frankfurt, Berlin and Los Angeles.
Simon has also a list of books published involving both her photography and writings. These include: Contraband, An American Index of the Hidden Unfamiliar, A living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters. (links to the publications found at end of this article)
Upon entering the gallery, the space was clean and open. I gathered the vital information before taking the first lap.
There were many glass frames protruding from the walls. Ranging from high up above your line of view, to images around shoulder height. The images were small, perhaps no more than 6x6 each. Very cleanly presented. Easy on the eye, and a nice flowing theme throughout. A crisp white background with the subject in the center of the photograph.
At first inspection of the first group of images, it frustrated me that the subjects I wanted a closer look at where positioned higher above head height. Maybe this was intentional.
Another noticeable frustration that I noted was the image sat around 5" behind the glass. On a few occasions the glass and my nose collided as I tried to get in close to the tiny image to get a better look.
I liked how the images were framed and positioned. Each long glass frame contained a small collection of images in a horizontal row.
The whole collection of images totals to an astonishing 1075 image, which Simon photographed over a five day stint at John F Kennedy International Airport, NY.
The series 'Contraband' is a documentary approach through photography that's aim was to capture an image of items that had been seized from passengers and mail entering America from abroad.
I took a quick read of the exhibit information and could see a few interesting objects on the list. Some of these included:
- Animal Corpses
- Animal Skeletons
- Butterflies
- Snails
- Ketamine
- GBL
- Fake clothing (including counterfeit Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, and Ugg)
- Pharmaceuticals (many of these)
- Duck Tongue
- Pirated DVD series's
- Fake Watches
- Fake Gold
- Viagra
- Diet Pills
- Pistols
- Guinea Pigs
As I continued my way around, I couldn't help but notice how forensic this approach really was, and with some of the subjects involved, it definitely made an interesting image to observe.
I was taken back by the guinea pigs....cooked guinea pigs. An image almost as shocking as the one used to advertise this body of work.
Counterfeit DVD's didn't make the most interesting photograph, but it did represent the demand that exists for these pirated items, even with the use of the internet to download illegally. The demand for such items are obviously as high as the drugs and fake clothing that also appears exhibited.
Initially I had thought this exhibition may have had a bit more of a shock factor to it. I'm not denying that some of the images weren't disturbing to look at, but what I found most intriguing of all, was the vast range of objects individuals were trying to smuggle into the USA.
I walked around the gallery again thinking to myself "why would you try to send these? What would your reasons be for doing so? Are some of these objects that sought after? Who in the right mind would try and bring a burnt guinea pig into the country. Who would send a dead eagle through the mail?!"
Questions questions questions as I circled the gallery again. So many images, so many questions.
The works to me, make up a catalog of images along with another catalog of open ended questions about the subjects.
I really liked this display of Taryn Simon's work and was keen to find out more.
I found out that Source Photographic Review journal had featured one of her previous exhibitions in an article. I found this in my college library and was pleasantly surprised to find that her last exhibition - "A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters" was presented in much the same way.
This to me, is a very dedicated way to work. Personally as a photographer, I think I would go mad photographing subjects in the same style for each one of my projects. That said, her projects are detailed, comprehensive and well researched. Time is taken to do things right, diving deep to document her topics correctly.
With the use of both photography and supporting writings, Simon's work opens up the project/s to a level must more than just photographs.
Her processes at times seem painstaking and laborious; for that, I personally really like her strict approach to documentation through a lens.
If you like the look of "Contraband' I strongly suggest you check out a few articles or exhibitions from Taryn Simon if you can.
In the meantime, here are a few links that you might enjoy and find an interesting look and read...
Taryn Simon's Official Website
Wired - 2008 review
http://www.gagosian.com - Something a bit more recent
Friday, 3 February 2012
Bootsale Camera - IDEAL COLOUR 35
Hi guys,
I just got my first film developed from this lovely little hand held 35mm German camera. So, I thought I would post a few of the results and give you a bit of insight to the gem.
I picked this sturdy, 35mm up at a car boot sale in Bangor, Co.Down one calm Sunday morning. The sale wasn't that busy as this was December and it was rather cold by the sea in the morning never mind the rest of the time.
It set me back a whopping £5.00, after a haggle down from £10. Thus, walking away feeling twice as good. I was a camera up, and didn't feel as though I had been completely robbed blind.
A quick test saw that the shutter and aperture seemed to be working ok. We all know there is nothing worse than picking up a broken camera, but you can't go far wrong with old 35mm. Provided there are no light leaks into the body of the camera, the lens doesn't appear damaged and there's nothing suspicious rattling around inside, then you should be onto a winner.
The film I used was a 35mm color Kodak ISO 400, 36exp that thankfully, since the apperance of Poundland in my local town, can be purchased for £1 a roll. This has been a godsend, as before, ordering batches from e-bay and being constantly involved in bidding wars for cheap 35 mil film is never fun or on ones top priority list when it comes to fun.
I equipped myself with the camera for a day or two over a week and snapped away. Some shots indoors, some outdoors, daytime, evening & some dimly lit indoor situations.
From using a lot of Lomography cameras out and about, I'm a bit out of the way of really taking time over my shots. Lomography are a photographic society mad about analogue photography and mad in the technique of how their images are taken. It's all about being spontaneous! - But more on the wonderful world of Lomography on a later post :)
I approached this first film with the 'point and shoot' method. Mostly for the purpose of getting through a film to see if I had a working camera to add to the collection, or whether it was another e-bay listing for parts.
The camera feels strong and well built in your hand. If not, perhaps a little small to grip sometimes, even with my tiny hands! Otherwise, it does feel rather nuke-proof as I throw it into my backpack, not having to worry about silly plastic attachments protruding and breaking off.
The shutter speed is easy as pie to operate. You are given a choice between 25, 50, 100 and B (for bulb, which is as long as you like) The aperture operating the same way. You have F16, 11, 8, 5.6, 4 and 3.5.
As I return back to Donaghadee, the winter evening is dim, and the lighting in my room is hardly worth mentioning. Opening the aperture and moving shutter sppeed to 50 gave slightly blurred results, but they had some character none the less. Which is the best thing about using this sort of vintage camera. The element of surprise.
I continued to remain snap happy over the next few days. I headed into the recording studio at college where I used to study music to assist on a few recording sessions. It was dimly lit for filming in the live room, and even darker in the editing room.
Home again, it was time for a quick self-portrait mirror shot, as standard! The lighting hardly wonderful here as it was the evening.
Soon enough it was time to get the film developed. Although I can process 35mm & 120mm myself, I unfortunately didn't have any chemicals for color processing handy at the time, so it was off to the photo lab in Bangor, and negatives are processed there and put onto disk for around £2.50, which is better than paying for a full set of prints!
I was super pleased to see results and the little German 1950's camera is locked and loaded again for use again soon. Would be a lie to say I wasn't looking forward to it.
Would definitely recommend of of the great, reliable vintage cameras if you are looking something worthy of use, but not exactly a rare find, to add to your collection.
If anyone is interested on more info on this camera, or any camera for that matter, I strongly recommend checking out 'Camerapedia' - It's part of Wikipedia, so as you can imagine, it's a hive of information, not all of it probably accurate, but a source at least!
Camerapedia's info on the Ideal Colour 35mm
Will post again soon, debating the idea of a bit of a learning topic for beginners and a bit of the history of photography too.....
Laters!
I just got my first film developed from this lovely little hand held 35mm German camera. So, I thought I would post a few of the results and give you a bit of insight to the gem.
 |
| The Ideal Color 35mm - Produced in the 1950's in Germany |
I picked this sturdy, 35mm up at a car boot sale in Bangor, Co.Down one calm Sunday morning. The sale wasn't that busy as this was December and it was rather cold by the sea in the morning never mind the rest of the time.
It set me back a whopping £5.00, after a haggle down from £10. Thus, walking away feeling twice as good. I was a camera up, and didn't feel as though I had been completely robbed blind.
A quick test saw that the shutter and aperture seemed to be working ok. We all know there is nothing worse than picking up a broken camera, but you can't go far wrong with old 35mm. Provided there are no light leaks into the body of the camera, the lens doesn't appear damaged and there's nothing suspicious rattling around inside, then you should be onto a winner.
 |
| Film is easily put into the camera - Only issue being, there's no window to show if your film is winding correctly. |
I equipped myself with the camera for a day or two over a week and snapped away. Some shots indoors, some outdoors, daytime, evening & some dimly lit indoor situations.
 |
| Club Mono Poster, Belfast City, Northern Ireland. Taken on an overcast afternoon. |
I approached this first film with the 'point and shoot' method. Mostly for the purpose of getting through a film to see if I had a working camera to add to the collection, or whether it was another e-bay listing for parts.
 |
| Stormtroopers & other random Sci-Fi happenings in Belfast City. Very odd indeed! |
The camera feels strong and well built in your hand. If not, perhaps a little small to grip sometimes, even with my tiny hands! Otherwise, it does feel rather nuke-proof as I throw it into my backpack, not having to worry about silly plastic attachments protruding and breaking off.
 |
| The underground crossing & it's graffiti. Belfast City, Northern Ireland |
The shutter speed is easy as pie to operate. You are given a choice between 25, 50, 100 and B (for bulb, which is as long as you like) The aperture operating the same way. You have F16, 11, 8, 5.6, 4 and 3.5.
 | ||
| Shutter speed and aperture settings are quick and easy. |
 |
| My room. Picture, wall, flag & bass |
I continued to remain snap happy over the next few days. I headed into the recording studio at college where I used to study music to assist on a few recording sessions. It was dimly lit for filming in the live room, and even darker in the editing room.
 | |
| Setting up for a live session & podcast recording. SERC college, Bangor, Co.Down |
 |
| A very dim mixing desk and a few of the guys. Would have said an ISO 800 would perform for this type of low light |
 |
| Self-portrait. Ideal Color 35mm |
I was super pleased to see results and the little German 1950's camera is locked and loaded again for use again soon. Would be a lie to say I wasn't looking forward to it.
Would definitely recommend of of the great, reliable vintage cameras if you are looking something worthy of use, but not exactly a rare find, to add to your collection.
 |
| Getting ready to go to processing....it's the Roxy All star style today :) |
Camerapedia's info on the Ideal Colour 35mm
Will post again soon, debating the idea of a bit of a learning topic for beginners and a bit of the history of photography too.....
Laters!
Hello everyone
This is just a first post to say hi and let you know what's going to go down here!
I have a bit more time on my hands now I am not working in retail anymore, so intend on devoting some of that lovely free time to a bit of blogging regarding photography & such. Not forgetting some free time dedicated to lie ins and the odd photography project / assignment happening here and there.
I wont go on too long, but here I intend on writing about:
Analogue photography (that's right, good old film)
Digital photography (that's right, good old money saving option)
Lomography
Lighting techniques
Travel photography
Set ups & how I go about my different projects
Exhibitions and gallery reviews
and probably a bit of general chat about life in there too.
So, hope to have the first official post up this weekend. If you like you are a keen photographer or even just have an interest in images, please feel free to follow or comment. Check out a couple of my other sites and pass on the blog to anyone you feel may benefit or be interested in some of the work.
Anyway guys, have a great weekend and keep an eye out for the first article :)
I have a bit more time on my hands now I am not working in retail anymore, so intend on devoting some of that lovely free time to a bit of blogging regarding photography & such. Not forgetting some free time dedicated to lie ins and the odd photography project / assignment happening here and there.
I wont go on too long, but here I intend on writing about:
Analogue photography (that's right, good old film)
Digital photography (that's right, good old money saving option)
Lomography
Lighting techniques
Travel photography
Set ups & how I go about my different projects
Exhibitions and gallery reviews
and probably a bit of general chat about life in there too.
So, hope to have the first official post up this weekend. If you like you are a keen photographer or even just have an interest in images, please feel free to follow or comment. Check out a couple of my other sites and pass on the blog to anyone you feel may benefit or be interested in some of the work.
Anyway guys, have a great weekend and keep an eye out for the first article :)
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