Vivian Mailer

Brilliant.

http://www.vivianmaier.com/portfolios/new-york-2/?show=thumbnails

Let the pics speak for themselves... (unless you want to get into the cool background story, which is on the site too).

Awesome triptych portraits

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theblackstar/sets/72157626117942754/with/5498851549/

Such a cool idea, and brilliantly executed. To me these work because each shot is good in itself - composition, DOF, focus - put together the proportion and framing is balanced, and the final images are interesting, and slightly funny and grotesque too. The slightly abstract nature better represents how you take in a stranger's appearance, impressions of details, rather than steady stare a full length portrait implies. The uniformity across the series works well, it would be great to see these in a gallery display.

They're similar to these in a way http://www.flickr.com/photos/lomokev/sets/72157622560274463/ - the colour in these ones really stands out, my favourite is the guy with bike on the beach. Both give a cubist feel which puts me in the mind of Hockney's joiners.

There's loads more good stuff in both photostream too.

I love flickr, but it really does distract me from what I'm meant to be doing.

It's been a while...

Been a while since the last post. In that time I've been busy, mostly moving to another country. I'm moved now, internet is sorted in the flat, and things have settled down enough for me to have a bit of time to post some pictures, thoughts and ideas.

Here is a monkeys...

One advantage of living in Asia is there's way more monkeys to take pictures of, compared to Leeds.

Art

Had some time to kill at in London last weekend. Went to the Tate modern. Saw some cool stuff. Especially some David Shrigley drawings which made me laugh out loud. Art that makes you laugh is good.

Was disappointed that Ai Weiwei's sunflower seeds had been packed up. I think he's still being held by the Chinese government, as part of their crackdown on any dissenting voices. Did get this picture of people trying to look over the barrier at the packed up exhibition. Bit blurry because it's through glass.

I like the contrast between how sad the empty space looks, and how happy the people lifting the girl to look look. Probably should have found some synonyms for look there.

DIY tilt shift

Inspired by this awesomeness http://cow.mooh.org/projects/tiltshift/ I made my own. Shots below.

I love the lofi look to these - remind me of the Gakkenflex. All shots on the Pentax *ist.

Hipstamatic

For all that I dislike digital on general principle, I am loving this app. A few shots from Barcelona this week...

In praise of stand developing

Had a go at stand developing for the first time this weekend. The film was Fuji 400CN (which I've since realised is a C-41 film, but it seems to work fine processed B&W), souped in R09 for 70 min at about 20 C, agitation for the first 10 seconds, and a bit more in the middle.


Really like the range of tones this has given, a it's kept grain right down too. I will definately be doing more in the same way. it's also far more relaxing than watching the clock to agitate every minute!