OUBE want you.

If your an aspiring architectural photographer, this may well be of interest to you. Its from OUBE which is a North-West Architects forum/resource.

"We'd like to invite photographers to contribute images to our website, for the top of each page. Images need to be jpgs sized 620 x 100 pixels. They must have an architectural theme, and be of places in the UK. If you send us 5 images, we'll give you a years free advertising on our directory page (a maximum of one free listing per individual or company, in any preferred category). Deadline for submission is 30th May 2008. Oube reserve the right to use images. All entries must be entirely the entrant's original work, not defame any person or corporate body nor breach any rights of copyright. Please email images to oube@oube.co.uk" www.oube.co.uk

Hereford Photofest 2008

Image copyright Amanda Jackson

Hereford photofest http://www.photofest.org/2008/index.htm is now in it's 18th year. On between 17th May & 14th June This years Theme is "Here and There" with work from the UK and Africa, including the legendary Roger Ballen http://www.rogerballen.com/

Pieter Hugo @ OpenEye Gallery

I've already featured the work of Pieter Hugo before on the blog http://www.pieterhugo.com/ I love his work, so it's with great excitement that I can tell you that he's got an exhibition of his work at Liverpool's OpenEye Gallery. It starts on 30th May until 5th July. from the OpenEye blurb "Self-taught photographer and film-maker Hugo makes documentary projects in locations around the world but has a particular interest in developing countries. This exhibition focuses on three bodies of work, all of which use portraiture to call into question our understanding of who we are and how we see others." MORE HERE: http://www.openeye.org.uk/future.asp

Stuart Whipps

Image copyright Stuart Whipps

Stuart Whipps is a Documentary photographer based in Birmingham UK. His work is concerned with the Birmingham/West Midlands area. http://www.stuartwhipps.com/

SUN awards 2008

This years SUN (Shot Up North) awards, now in it's twentieth year are calling for entrieshttp://shotupnorth.co.uk/call-for-entries/ you've got till 30th June to get your your stuff in.................

Martin Parr's British Cities.

The Castle Inn on Oldham Street Images copyright Mark Page

Did you all see Martin Parr's "British Cities" Manchester supplement in yesterdays Guardian?http://www.guardian.co.uk/ He is doing it for 10 British Cities, although I don't know which one's as I have been unable to find out anything about it online. Did we like the work? He seems to retain fond memories of the city, and he was only up here for a week, which is not a lot of time to re-acquaint yourself to a place. He says that he enjoyed his night at The Castle Inn, on Oldham Street, (see above) and who can blame him? I love that pub, so much atmosphere. I can't see it being there much longer though, as it's in such a sorry state of repair. Parr's releasing all ten supplements from all ten cities later in the year as a box set. Looking forward to that one.

"The Albert Vaults" Chapel St, Salford.

Images copyright Mark Page

Sarah Pickering

Abduction 2007 from the series "Fire Scene" copyright Sarah Pickering

Sarah Pickering is a British photographer who is showing her work at NYPH08 www.nyphotofestival.com More of Sarah's work including "Explosions" can be seen on her website at www.sarahpickering.co.uk

NYPH08

Perhaps the leader's of our city should be looking at laying on something like this:http://www.nyphotofestival.com/TheFuture.html I can't see photographer's smashing up Town after a couple of drinks....... HEADLINES: MARTIN PARR GOES ON ONE MAN RAMPAGE! no I can't see that.....................

I Told You So........

Image copyright Mark Page

Well no, I was pissed off that our council apparently make all this effort for this game and F**k all for us Reds. And then the council make arses of our city by screwing up the screening's and Rangers kick off and to be honest (even as a Red) who can blame them. Manchester City Council should be ashamed. Oh and by the way as a struggling photographer one of the ways I keep a roof over my head is security, and I 've done some of the biggest events in the roughest boozer's in the town over the last decade, and this was a FUCK UP................... I want heads to role............ but they won't... Will they? HERE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/

The Rangers fans are here.

And so the rangers fans are here for the UEFA cup. Manchester council are welcoming them to the city. It's good for the city, more money for the city Hooray! Council hear this: Why will you put all this on for Scots & Russians and a Mickey Mouse cup, and next week when The Mighty Reds are playing for the real thing, a club that is this cities single biggest asset, you will do fuck all? http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/

Turner Prize 2008

Still from film by Mark Leckey. (Above)

This years shortlist for The Turner Prize has been announced today. They are in no particular order, Mark Lecky http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56988713 is the one that The Guardian are cheering for.

Non Verbal 2005, by Cathy Wilkes

Cathy Wilkes who's work feature's shop mannequins sitting on a toilet, is the one that the press has picked up on already, as the "bloody modern art" example.

http://www.whitecube.com/artists/islam/

Film still from "Rapid Eye Movement" by Runa Islam

Runa Islam produces film & video installations http://www.whitecube.com/artists/islam/

"A Time To Live A Time To Die" by Goshka Macuga

And Polish artist Goshka Macuga is described as a "Cultural Archaeologist" http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/goshka_macuga.htm

More info on this years show here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKL1391088020080513 here:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aegeMQKoC2gM&refer=home & here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7397763.stm It's back in London this year and as Liverpool is "Capital of Culture 08" I'm struggling to understand why?

Unpopular Culture.

Image copyright Eric Great Rex

something beautifully English about being a transvestite artist, good god no not me. I'm referring to Grayson Perry. I love his work, again very English and now he's been given the pick of "The Arts Council Collection" from which to curate a show. Featuring photography from amongst others Martin Parr. More Here: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/visual-arts/hayward-touring/current/unpopular-culture Starting off at Bex-Hill-On-Sea it will be at The Harris Museum, Preston between 19 July & 14 September. It's been said that Morrissey would not look out of place at this show.............

Kaylynn Deveney

Image copyright Kaylynn Deveney

Kaylynn Deveney's work is concerned with ageing and domesticity, and this is explored in her touching and increasingly well known first book, "The Day-To-Day Life of Albert Hastings". http://www.kaylynndeveney.com/

Wigan 0-2 Man United!!!!!!!!

Manchester United pipped rivals Chelsea to clinch their 17th title triumph with victory at Wigan.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for United from the spot after 33 minutes following Emmerson Boyce's Read More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381807.stm

So What Is It With Petrol Stations & Photographer's?

Enrico Sacchetti won the 2006 "Fujifilm Distinctions Award with the above image

http://es-photography.com/
And even the mighty Alec Soth has got in on the act. http://www.alecsoth.com/ with the above picture from the series "SLEEPING BY THE MISSISSIPPI" but why? It really is a popular motif both sides of the pond. Is it the romance of travel? perhaps our love affair with the car? a symbol of the open road and freedom? Discuss.

Jeffrey Brouws

From the series "Freshly Painted Houses, AmericanTypologies"
From the series "Strip Malls, American Typologies"
Images copyright Jeffrey Brouws

The American photographer Jeffrey Brouws also published a book in 1992, entitled "26 Abandoned Gasoline Stations" which was a tribute to Ed Ruscha. http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/ara/012424.shtml for more from Jeffrey Brouws although not that series funnily enough, go to: http://www.jeffbrouws.com/

Ed Ruscha's 26 Gasoloine Stations.

From 26 Gasoline Stations by Ed Ruscha

I could not leave the last post without of course mentioning this classic, rare and now priceless photo book from 1962.
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/works/twentysix-gasoline-stations/ In all fairness to Frank Eye he acknowledges this book as inspiration for his own work. Here for more of Ed Ruscha's work including his painting's. http://www.edruscha.com/

Frank Eye.

Image copyright Frank Eye

"444 Former Filling Stations" by Frank Eye, I think is a great bit of work. It is just that, 444 images of the sites of old petrol stations around England. Over a six month period the work was shot on dull, overcast days which, adds to the sense of melancholy for times before globalisation. The fact that it's shot with a 6x6 in B/W also helps to set the tone. A limited edition Artists book is also available intitled "24 Former Filling Stations" My tip is to buy it, I am, I think we may have a mini classic on our hands.........Here: www.frankeye.co.uk

Andrew Brooks @ Salford Uni,

Image copyright Andrew Brooks

"Honestly you can wait all year for a photography show and then two come along at once" Last post Gill Moore, and now Andrew Brooks at The University of Salford. Here's the blurb:

"A University for the 21st Century"
A photographic exhibition telling ‘The University Story’.
Sat 17th May – Sun 17th August
Since its genesis in 1896 the University of Salford has sought to serve the needs of industry, commerce, the professions and society – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.Innovative local photographer, Andrew Paul Brooks has created a series of images to reflect the University’s transformational change project called ‘Realising our Vision’. Through his own photography and his selection from the University archives, Andrew creates an experience not only of the sense of history but a vision of a university fit for the purpose of teaching, research and enterprise. “What marks us out in national and international arenas is our engagement with local and regional communities – this will remain core to our values as a University” – University of Salford.

Now having seen Andrew'shttp://www.andrewbrooksphotography.com/ work before this is sure to be a "Tour de Force" as they say in Chorlton........................................

At Salford Art Gallery, (next to Maxwell Building, The Cresant, Salford)

http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/museums.htm

I Love It When,

Images copyright Gill Moore

I get to plug a new show by a local photographer, who's doing work I find interesting. Step up Gill Moore & her new show "The Chorlton Bench Project"

@ Chorlton Library. Free Beer, 6 till 7:30 (If you RSVP) Friday 16th May. Show opens Saturday 17th May and on till 30th May. Gill will be uploading some of the images to her blog http://gillmoorephotography.wordpress.com/ Some of the images can be seen @ http://gillmoorephotography.co.uk/documents/Bench/Gill%20Moore%20Photography.html And I've looked through them and no, BEZ ain't a sleep on any of them................................................

Christophe Maout

Image copyright Christophe Maout

Walking around town yesterday in the sun with a camera, had me making twee & cliched image after image. Which makes me realise just what an achievement Christophe Maout's series "Spring" really is: http://willi.viewbook.com/ and here for an interview with him: http://zoumzoum.blogs.liberation.fr/2008/maout_christophe/index.html

Opportunity....

If you graduated from either a BA or MA course between May 07 & May 08 then this may well be of some interest to you. It's brought to you from The Photographers' Gallery in "old London town" and really is a great opportunity....... HERE: http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pid=230

A Brief History.....

Images from the series "A Brief History" by Mark Page.

I've just uploaded a new series to my website. "A Brief History" is just that, and can be seen at www.manchesterphotography.com I'm once again, looking at this piece of work as a set of "Documents" about Manchester.

"Where None Intrudes" by Tom Munday

Still from "Where None Intrudes" by Tom munday

Found this great little film by Tom Munday over at http://www.exposuresfilmfestival.co.uk/?page=watch&film=1522957711803098740 along with some other crackers over at http://www.exposuresfilmfestival.co.uk/?page=watch