Cover Songs (10 - 1) : My Favourites


Here's the final 10 from my favourite 100 Cover Songs. I hope everyone is having a great Christmas.


My 100 Favourite Cover Songs (10-1)

10 The Man Who Sold The World : Nirvana (David Bowie)
9 Tomorrow is a Long Time : Elvis Presley (Bob Dylan)
8 It's Oh So Quiet : Bjork (Betty Hutton)
7 Sweet Jane : Cowboy Junkies (Velvet Underground)
6 Mr Bojangles : Nina Simone (Jerry Jeff Walker)
5 Louie Louie : The Kingsmen (Richard Berry)
4 I Heard It Through The Grapevine : The Slits (Whitfield/Strong)

3 Lola : The Raincoats (The Kinks)
2 Hey Joe : Jimi Hendrix (The Leaves)
1 Song To The Siren : This Mortal Coil (Tim Buckley)


Hope you've enjoyed (at least some of) my choices.

Nollaig Chridheil.

Cover Songs (40 - 11) : My Favourites


Well I didn't make last Sunday for blogging numbers 40 - 11 from my list of 100 favourite cover songs. I've been working solid for the whole of December on wedding albums, portrait shoots, designing next years photography training courses and new sample albums for wedding and portraits. Today I've finally called it a day. So here's numbers 40 - 11.


My 100 Favourite Cover Songs (40-11)

40 All Along The WatchTower : XTC (Bob Dylan)
39 Smooth Criminal : Alien Ant Farm (Michael Jackson)
38 This is not a love Song : Nouvelle Vague (PIL)
37 Hurt : Johnny Cash (Trent Reznor)
36 Just : Mark Ronson (Radiohead)
35 Private Life : Grace Jones (The Pretenders)
34 Somewhere Over The Rainbow : Eva Cassidy (Judy Garland)
33 Police & Thieves : The Clash (Junior Murvin)
32 All Along The WatchTower : Jimi Hendrix (Bob Dylan)
31 Lost In Music : The Fall (Sister Sledge)
30 Get It On : The Power Station (T. Rex)
29 Telegram Sam : Bauhaus (T. Rex)
28 Slow Down : The Jam (Larry Williams)
27 Cocaine : Eric Clapton (J.J. Cale)
26 China Girl : David Bowie (Iggy Pop)
25 Smells Like Teen Spirit : Paul Anka (Nirvana)
24 Personal Jesus : Johnny Cash (Depeche Mode)
23 Twist and Shout : The Beatles (Top Notes)
22 Why Can't We Live Together : Sade (Timmy Thomas)
21 Making Plans For Nigel : Nouvelle Vague (XTC)
20 Ms. Jackson : The Vines (Outkast)
19 Rock The Casbah : Rachid Taha (The Clash)
18 Dancing in the Moonlight : Smashing Pumpkins (Thin Lizzy)
17 Refugee : Melissa Etheridge (Tom Petty)
16 Bizarre Love Triangle : Frente (New Order)
15 Satisfaction : Cat Power (The Rolling Stones)
14 Satisfaction : Devo (The Rolling Stones)
13 One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer : John Thorogood (John Lee Hooker)
12 Nothing Compares to You : Sinead O'Connor (Prince)
11 Going Nowhere : Lena Zavoroni (Neil Sedaka)


I'll post numbers 10 - 1 on Christmas Day. Nollaig Chridheil (gaelic Merry Christmas) to everyone.

Oscar Marzaroli

BBC iPlayer : Public Artwork

On Radio 4 this week there was an interesting program about Oscar Marzaroli (Italian born "Scottish" photographer). The program is now available on BBC iPlayer, here's the link.

Italian-born "Scottish" photographer Marzaroli is most famous for his 1960's images of the Gorbals.

On the corner of Cumberland Street and Queen Elizabeth Gardens (in Glasgow) there's a piece of public artwork based on one of his most famous images. The artwork is three separate sculptures of three boys in their mother's high heels playing in the street. The original photograph is a great example of "right-place right-time" photojournalism. Here's a link.

Cover Songs (70 - 41) : My Favourites


Last Sunday I blogged numbers 100 - 71 from my list of 100 favourite cover songs. This week it's 70 - 41.


My 100 Favourite Cover Songs (70-41)

70 Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds : Elton John (The Beatles)
69 We Can Work It Out : Stevie Wonder (The Beatles)
68 Helpless : K D Lang (Neil Young)
67 Superstar : Sonic Youth (Carpenters)
66 Love The One You're With : The Isley Brothers (Stephen Stills)
65 House of the Rising Sun : The Animals (trad.)
64 Me and Bobby McGee : Janis Joplin (Kristofferson/Foster)
63 Paranoid Android : Radiodread (Radiohead)
62 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow : Roberta Flack (Shirelles)
61 I Hung my Head : Johnny Cash (Sting)
60 Your Song : Billy Paul (Elton John)
59 Take it to the Limit : Etta James (The Eagles)
58 Paint It Black : The Modettes (The Rolling Stones)
57 It's All Over Now Baby Blue : Them (Bob Dylan)
56 Light My Fire : Jackie Wilson (The Doors)
55 Hallelujah : Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
54 Hazy Shade of Winter : The Bangles (Simon & Garfunkel)
53 Everything I Own : Ken Boothe (Bread)
52 Wonderwall : Ryan Adams (Oasis)
51 Take Me to the River : Talking Heads (Al Green)
50 Way Down in the Hole : Blind Boys of Alabama (Tom Waits)
49 Redemption Song : Joe Strummer (Bob Marley)
48 David Watts : The Jam (The Kinks)
47 Biko : Simple Minds (Peter Gabriel)
46 Valerie : Amy Whinehouse (Zutons)
45 Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood : The Animals (Nina Simone)
44 Let Down : Radiodread (Radiohead)
43 One : Johnny Cash (U2)
42 I Fought The Law : The Clash (The Crickets)
41 Love Potion #9 : Searchers (Clovers)


Next Sunday I'll post numbers 40 - 11 and on Christmas Eve I'll let you have the countdown 10 - 1.

Photography Exhibition : Glasgow

No Vacancy : Nicola Stead


If you've never been to Montgomery's Coffee House (near Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow) you don't know what you're missing. So I'll tell you. Great coffee and a wee photography exhibition by Nicola Stead.

The subject of the exhibition is a set of characters living in a hotel. I couldn't find any links for Monty's or the exhibition, so here's the details I have.

now to 1 February, 2009

Montgomery's Coffee House
9 Radnor Street
Glasgow
G3 7UA
Scotland

Album Cover : Cover Songs

Album Cover

Last week, (rock) music photographer, Pennie Smith received an "outstanding contribution" gong at the Record of the Day bash. Pennie Smith is famous for her iconic image of bass smashing Paul Simonon; as used on The Clash London Calling album. This image is my second favourite rock photograph. Pennie herself finds fault with this image (because of the blur); but you can't fault the great anticipation and framing in capturing a timeless moment.

My #1 favourite rock image is a photograph of Elvis Presley (on stage) taken by photographer Roger Marshutz. Here's a link to it. It's loosely connected to the Clash image because the "London Calling" cover was inspired by the cover of Presley's debut album.

And talking of covers.................


Cover Songs

Last week Radio Scotland asked listeners to send in their favourite cover songs. My initial thought was "that's easy, covers are normally pretty tame compared to the original". So I jotted down a few favourites but the list grew and grew and grew. Over the next few weeks, and as a bit of John Peel type festive fun, I'll blog my 100 favourite cover songs.

Here's the countdown 100 - 71

My 100 Favourite Cover Songs (100- 71)

100 Rocket Man : William Shatner (Elton John)
99 Maggie's Farm : Rage Against the Machine (Bob Dylan)
98 Couldn't Get It Right : Fun Loving Criminals (Climax Blues Band)
97 Chelsea Hotel : Lloyd Cole (Leonard Cohen)
96 Enjoy The Silence : Lacuna Coil (Depeche Mode)
95 Stepping Stone : Sex Pistols (The Monkees)
94 Needles and Pins : The Ramones (Searchers)
93 Havana Affair : Red Hot Chili Peppers (The Ramones)
92 O Holy Night : Nat King Cole (traditional Carol)
91 Lets Spend The Night Together : David Bowie (The Rolling Stones)
90 Make Me Smile : Wedding Present (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel)
89 Baby Hit Me One More Time : Travis (Britney Spears)
88 Creep : Richard Cheese (Radiohead)
87 Always on my Mind : Pet Shop Boys (Brenda Lee)
86 Brother Louie : Hot Chocolate (The Stories)
85 Tears of a Clown : The Beat (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
84 Wind Cries Mary : Jamie Cullum (Jimi Hendrix)
83 She's Not There : Sanatana (The Zombies)
82 Torn : Natalie Imbruglia (Ednaswap)
81 Rocket Man : Kate Bush (Elton John)
80 Delilah : Sensational Alex Harvey Band (Tom Jones)
79 The Day Before You Came : Blancmange (ABBA)
78 Venus : Bananarama (Shocking Blue)
77 Word Up : Gun (Cameo)
76 Sweet Child of Mine : Luna (Guns N' Roses)
75 Step On : Happy Mondays (John Kongos)
74 I Call Your Name : The Boys (The Beatles)
73 Never Tear Us Apart : Tom Jones & Natalie Imbruglia (INXS)
72 The Air That I Breathe : Hollies (Phil Everly)
71 Black Magic Woman : Santana (Fleetwood Mac)

(70 - 41 will be next Sunday, 40 - 11 the following Sunday and 10 - 1 on Christmas Eve).

I make no excuses for the William Shatner cover making the list. There's a "car crash" quality to it; a work of accidental genius you could say.

Personal Work : Very Low Light Photography


At the moment I'm into (very) low light photography. Some (people) may say you don't have much choice this side of the Scottish calendar. My favourite of the week (and favourite to date) is below. I was sheltering in the entrance to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery when the picture composed itself before me.



I'll post more images just as soon as I clear my preChristmas workload.

Photography Exhibition : Barbican, London

Robert Capa at Work : Gerda Taro a Retrospective


I normally only mention Photography Exhibitions doing the rounds in Scotland. However, this one at the Barbican in London is something quite special.

What makes it stand out (to me) isn't so much the great name of Robert Capa but the lesser known name of Gerda Taro; a quite exceptional woman and conflict photographer. I say "conflict photographer" instead of "war photographer" to detract away from gung-ho connotations of the latter label. Taro's work is so much more than that.

Her life story itself is as incredible as her images. Glamourous, lover and colleague of Capa, and a pioneering front-line war photographer. She actively opposed the rise of the Nazi Party and was separated (at an early age) from her family; she would never see them again. She pioneered the use of small cameras in photojournalism, died in battle at the age of 27 and was given a Grand state-like funeral in Paris.

She will be always over shadowed by the name of Capa (such is our male dominated world) but at this exhibition she gets equal billing.

A "must see" exhibition. I'm heading straight over to thetrainline.com to book my travel.

17 October to 25 January, 2009

The Barbican
Silk Street
London
020 7638 4141

Photography Exhibition : On Line

Brunel Revisited : David White

150 years ago a young photographer called Robert Howlett died. Howlett is remembered for taking iconic images of the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Brunel's engineering masterpieces. Photojournalist David White recently set out to recreate Howlett's photographs, using cameras and chemicals similar to those used by Howlett himself.

There's an on line slideshow here and on David's website. Fantastic.


On a somewhat related topic. I get many emails asking for the best Black & White digital-conversion techniques. I'll be posting my thoughts on this soon.

Photography Exhibition : Scotland Tour

Men dressed as women. Women dressed as boys. Cringing innuendo wrung out of perfectly innocent phrases. Grown adults inside "cartoon-style" animal costumes. No, not the latest party round at Elton John's gaff but the wonderful world of Panto.

The University of Glasgow has a touring exhibition celebrating the History of Scottish Pantomime. It features pictures, photographs and playbills from a variety of shows; the exhibition also includes rarely seen archive film. There's more info here (oh no there isn't oh yes there is).

Tour dates (East & North Scotland)

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Saturday 29 November – Saturday 6 December
0131 529 6000 • www.eft.co.uk

Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall
Monday 8 December – Saturday 13 December
01738 621 031 • www.horsecross.co.uk

The Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Monday 15 December – Sunday 21 December
01334 475 000 • www.byretheatre.com

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
Tuesday 23 December – Monday 29 December
01224 641 122 • www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Wednesday 31 December – Tuesday 27 January
01463 234 234 • www.eden-court.co.uk

It will tour West Scotland, starting in Glasgow, later next year.

Portrait Work Changes

I spent the whole of the summer (summer what summer?!) wrestling with a problem regarding my portrait work.

The photography workshops I started this year have been very successful and very enjoyable. However, I underestimated their success and I need to find more time to dedicate to this side of my business. Something has to give and that something, I'm afraid, is my portrait photography.

As of today (oh crikey I sound like Ringo Starr) I'm only accepting portrait commissions from wedding clients (past, present and future brides and grooms), existing portrait customers and students from my photography courses. If you are looking for a portrait photographer and you're outwith these groups please consider one of these two superb portrait photographers. Both are based in Glasgow, Scotland :

Ken Sharp at kensharp.com
Deirdre Hannon at nofussphotography.co.uk


Talking of photography tuition....next year I'm introducing Portrait and Wedding Photography mentoring. This will include 3 full days of 1-2-1 tuition, the opportunity to second shoot with me at 2 weddings and 1 years telephone/email support. There will be a limit of 4 places a year and the cost will be £1,250. If you're interested please get in touch for more details.

Peace and Luv, Peace and Luv

updated 26/11/2008
One mentoring place has been taken for next year; there are now 3 remaining.

Photography Exhibition : Edinburgh

Paris 2008

Here's another exhibition to mark the centenary of the birth of Henri Cartier-Bresson.

"Popular Paris portrayed by final year photography students from Stevenson College Edinburgh" is how it's described.

6 November to 19 December, 2008

L'Institut Francais d'Ecosse

13 Randolph Crescent
Edinburgh
Scotland

Personal Work : Scotland Lochscapes & Seascapes

Thank you for all the emails commenting on the two images I posted on Sunday (16th November).

In answer to the many enquiries in regard to the sale of prints. These images are available for purchase and come ready to frame; they are board mounted, with a mat/overlay.

The Loch Tay image is an 18in x 12in print and is £55. The Largs Ferry image is a 20in x 8in print and is £45. Prices include UK delivery).

If you would like to purchase a print please drop me an email (kim.mason@kfmphotography.co.uk). An online gallery of "non wedding photography" is on the drawing board but in all honesty it probably wont be ready until 2009.

updated 26/11/2008
Both images purchased together are available at £90 (price includes UK delivery).

Personal Work : Scotland Lochscapes & Seascapes

Here's a couple of images from this weekend.

The first was taken on Saturday at Loch Tay. I was over there shooting a wedding at the fabulous Fortingall Hotel near Aberfeldy.

The second image, from this evening, is the Largs-Millport ferry at Largs.






Both images were taken with a Nikon D3 and the 14-24mm f/2.8G lens. Black and white conversion is via my own photoshop "recipe".

Click on an image to see a larger version.

Photography Exhibition : Inverness

China : Eve Arnold

One of my favourite photojournalists, Eve Arnold, has an exhibition at the Museum & Art Gallery in Inverness until the end of November. On display are images from a trip she made to China in 1979. At the time she was one of the first western photographers to enter the Communist country. For more details click here.

Eve Arnold is a true great in photojournalism. She was the first female photographer to join the Magnum Photos agency.


Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Castle Wynd, Inverness, Scotland
1st November 2008 - 29th November 2008
Admission ?

Photographing Fireworks

This week I've had emails asking for advice with photographing fireworks. So rather than reinventing the wheel here's some sites with good advice on the subject:

PhotographyReview.com
DigitalPhotographySchool.com
ePhotozine.com
FireworkPhotography.co.uk


Sorry I'm late for November 5th but if you're out photographing tomorrow please stay safe.

BBC Photography Portal

It would be easy to think nothing good is coming out of the BBC these days (what with the Ross/Brand Pantomime, the telephone phone-in scandal, and the fantasy editing of the Queen).

The BBC Website, however, is a different matter. I recently discovered their photography section and if you're looking to improve your photography, poke around the history of photography or just in need of photography inspiration I recommend you click here.

Photography Competition : Prix Pictet

Results

The Prix Pictect is a major new photography prize for professional and amateur photographers. Its focus (pun intended) is on the global issue of 'sustainability' - this year the subject is water.

Canadian photographer Benoit Aquin has been crowned 2008 winner. Benoit's work, and images from some of the 17 other photographers who made the shortlist, can be seen here. Well worth a look. (Maybe next year's subject should be digital photography and the internet, and their contribution to global resource depletion. It's a thought).

Photography Exhibition : Edinburgh

Close-Up

This is an exhibition of macro photography and according to the official blurb the exhibition :

explores the defamiliarising effects of bringing a camera lens very close to its subject. Trans-historical and cross-generational, the exhibition brings together selected experiments in close-up film and photography from mid-nineteenth century microscopy; avant-garde film and photography from the 1920s and 30s; post-war conceptual art; and contemporary art from the 1990s and 2000s.

But don't let that put you off.


The Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
24th October 2008 - 11th January 2009
Admission Free

Photography Tuition

Portrait, Weddings & Camera Basics


Last Friday I had the enthusiastic Fiona Neill over for 1-2-1 tuition. James (her boyfriend) came along as the model for the afternoon.

Here's a few images from the location shoot :









Thanks James you are a natural.


I currently offer 1-2-1 intuition and group tuition for a max. of 3 people. Half and full day courses are available. Lunch at nearby Amaretto (Bridge of Weir) is included with full day tuition.

As you know from the post I made in June this year, I recommend anyone looking for Photography Courses to check out evening classes at local colleges.

For details of my own tuition please call me on 01505 615124 or send an email to kim.mason@kfmphotography.co.uk.

Art Exhibition : Glasgow

Impressionism and Scotland

This exhibition has nothing to do with Jonathan Watson. It is, in fact, the same exhibition that failed to impress The Daily Telegraph when it was on in Edinburgh.

On display will be some of the greats: Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Degas, Whistler, Cezanne and Matisse and the Scots they inspired, including the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists.

I love Impressionism as much as I admire the Infantile School of Art. Believe what you read or believe what you see.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland
31st October 2008 - 1st February 2009
Admission £5, concessions £3, school groups free

Boudoir Photography & Trash The Dress


Pre wedding Boudoir Photography (aka "For Your Eyes Only" aka "fyeo") and post wedding Trash The Dress Sessions are big over there (the US) and becoming bigger over here (the UK).

I don't promote Boudoir Photography because I believe brides (and grooms I guess) are more comfortable using female photographers for their boudoir images. So when I get enquiries for Boudoir Photography I always recommend Beautifully Boudoir based on Maryhill Road, Glasgow, Scotland. They are a two girl team and I've heard (from my own clients) only excellent things.

BB's telephone numbers are : 0789 1166 398/ 0781 8484 205


Trash The Dress is something I do; well it's something I photograph anyway. Don't worry we don't actually trash the dress. It's more a case of photographing (post wedding) the Bride, wearing her wedding dress, in unusual locations. If you are interested please give me a call.

Photography Exhibitions : Edinburgh

Close : Allan Pollok-Morris

Allan Pollok-Morris documents contemporary Scottish heritage in works by garden designers, architects, plants, people and artists. More info here.

Royal Botanic Garden
Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland
27th September - 11th January 2009




Protest Pictures : Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamiltion was a founder of the Pop Art movement. This exhibition brings together paintings and sculpture from his life-long interest in political figures and movements.

Inverleith House
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland
13th July - 12th October 2008

Photography Exhibition : Glasgow

Byres Road - a personal journey : Kel Kirkland

The next exhibition at the Art Gallery in The Mussel Inn (Glasgow) is by Kel Kirkland. The star of the show is the architectural minutia of this well known and well loved West End road.

Mussel Inn Restaurant
157 Hope Street, Glasgow, Scotland
1st October - 5th November 2008

Photography Exhibitions : Edinburgh

City Stories : Norman McBeath

At the moment Scotland seems awash with photography exhibitions and here's another for the "to-do" list. Norman McBeath marks the centenary of the birth of every reportage photographer's favourite "name to drop"; Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The exhibition features 27 black & white photographs taken in Paris, London, Seville, Berlin and Edinburgh. The images claim to capture "the drama of everyday urban life" and knowing Norman's talent I don't doubt it.

24 September to 31 October, 2008

L'Institut Francais d'Ecosse

13 Randolph Crescent
Edinburgh
Scotland

Photography Exhibition : Glasgow

Portrait of Coombe End : Laura Goodman

Here's the perfect combination. A fabulous restaurant and Art Gallery.

The Mussel Inn, Glasgow, is an award winning seafood restaurant with a Gallery in the mezzanine. They regularly feature photography exhibitions and at the moment they have an exhibition by Laura Goodman. Laura's hand printed monochromes are a pictorial record of a squatters life in a National Trust Property.


Mussel Inn Restaurant
157 Hope Street, Glasgow, Scotland

4th September 2008 - 1st October 2008

Photography Exhibition : Dundee

International Women's Photography Exhibition

This exhibition is part of the Scottish Mental Health Art & Film Festival. It features women from diverse cultures exploring the notion of wellbeing through photography. It's described as "a women's only event". I only hope that doesn't mean what I think it means.

Dundee International Women's Centre
Dundonald Street
Dundee, Scotland

10th October 2008 (18:30 - 20:00)
Admission £3 (including refreshments)

Photography Exhibition : Glasgow

University of Strathclyde : Urban Echoes

Glasgow-based photographer Keith Ingham presents a fascinating series of images inspired by his perspective on the domestic, on Glasgow and the oriental.

The exhibition has one more week to run. It closes this Saturday, the 27th of September 2008.

Collins Gallery
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, Scotland
23rd August - 27th September 2008

Photography Exhibition : Scottish Tour

Highland Journey : Robin Gillanders

In June of 1934, the writer and poet Edwin Muir borrowed a car and set out on a tour around Scotland. His book "Scottish Journey", published the following year, details Scottish identity and how it adapts to new populations settling here.

In 2006 photographer Robin Gillanders set out in Muir’s "tyre marks". He made an extended journey around the Highlands and Orkney inspired by Muir’s travels. Robin used a 5x4 camera, processing the film in the converted shower of a campervan.

An exhibition of his work is now on tour. Next dates and venues for the exhibition are -

Swanson Gallery
Thurso, Scotland
27th September 2008 - 25th October 2008

St. Fergus Gallery
Wick, Scotland
1st - 29th November 2008

Scottish Society for the History of Photography

The aim of the SSHoP "...is to further interest and pleasure in historic and modern photography". Their website is a wealth of information and their Annual Lectures in Glasgow and Edinburgh are not to be missed.

Membership is a very reasonable £25 a year; for which you get each issue of their "Studies in Photography", you may attend all meetings and functions, and you also receive invites to private viewings of photography exhibitions at the National Galleries of Scotland (in Edinburgh).

Real Life Weddings Magazine

Featured Wedding

I started this blog to push Photography and all things Scottish in the world of Photography; not as an excuse for self promotion. However...(oh dear here comes a shameless plug) those terribly nice people over at the Real Life Weddings magazine in Glasgow are featuring one of my weddings (from last year) in their forthcoming Winter edition. The wedding took place at the amazing Corsewall Lighthouse (near Stranraer, Scotland). The groom was the very talented Michael Hines; the bride was the lovely Lisa Ambrosini.

The magazine is due out in October. I'll let you know the date when I have it.

Photography Competition : Fujifilm

Fujifilm Distinctions Awards 2008 : The True Art Of Photography

These days I shoot all my wedding and portrait work on digital cameras, and sometimes use film for personal projects. So with those pungent smells of the traditional darkroom in mind here's a rare film-only competition. It has an open brief and is open to both pros and amateurs. As long as the image was shot on Fujifilm Professional film you can enter it. For full details click here.

First Prize £1,000
Second Prize £500
Third Prize £250

Closing date 1 October 2008

Art Exhibition : Glasgow

Gorbals Boys : Liz Peden

On the corner of Cumberland Street and Queen Elizabeth Gardens a new public artwork based on the iconic photograph by Oscar Marzaroli has been unveiled. The artwork is three separate sculptures of three boys in their mother's high heels playing in the street.

Italian-born "Scottish" photographer Marzaroli is most famous for his 1960's images of the Gorbals; however outside of Scotland he seems to be largely ignored. Here's a link to the story..link

The sculptures are part of the Gorbals Arts Project

Photography Seminar : Glasgow

Shooting People : Documentary & Conflict Photography

Calumet (supplier of photography equipment, wedding albums and other photographic "stuff") run some very good courses and seminars. On Thursday 16 October ex-British Army Chief Press Photographer, Giles Penfound, is giving what looks to be a fascinating seminar exploring the power of documentary photography. Book soon because places are limited.

Novotel Hotel, Pitt Street, Glasgow

October 16th 2008

£85 (inc VAT)

Photography Exhibitions : Glasgow

The Herald : 225 years, 1783-2008

Exhibition of award winning photography and facsimile front pages of the last 225 years from Glasgow's premier newspaper. Presented in the Main Hall of the Mitchell Library.

The Mitchell Library

August, 2008 to September, 2008

Free Admission

Photography Exhibitions : Bradford

The last time I attended a wedding as a guest (rather than as the official wedding photographer) is over ten years ago. I break that duck at the end of the month when I go down to Leeds for a wedding at Harewood House. While I'm down in Yorkshire I'm planning a quick visit to the National Media Museum, in Bradford, to see these cracking photography exhibitions -

Live by the Lens Die by the Lens

Exhibition exploring the often uneasy relationship between stars, publicists, photographers and the media.

20 June, 2008 to 28 September, 2008

National Media Museum, Bradford

Free Admission

Street and Beach Photography in Britain

Exhibition celebrating the work of a forgotten generation of portrait photographers.

20 June, 2008 to 31 August, 2008

National Media Museum, Bradford

Free Admission

Personal : Business Recommendations

I like to champion local business. So here's a couple worthy of mention due to their outstanding product and service.

Cail Bruich Restaurant : Quarriers Village & Glasgow West End

Cail Bruich started life in Sommerville Hall, Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir. The Charalambous brothers recently (July 2008) opened another restaurant at 725 Great Western Road, Glasgow. Food is predominantly locally sourced and service exceptional. Furthermore, if you're looking for wedding caterers your search is over; give them a ring.

Wilson Davis Fine Art : Quarriers Village

Alan Wilson and Emma Davis are a husband and wife team with an art gallery and framing business in Quarriers Village. The framing workshop is next to the gallery and the gallery features local artists. Emma herself is an award winning artist.

Photography : Wedding Photographers

As a Scotland based photographer I photograph weddings all over the UK. However I realise some couples would rather use a photographer more local to where they live or local to where they are getting married. So I'd like to recommend a couple of fantastic wedding photographers in England.

Jill Thorning-Jensen : North of England

Jill is a wonderful wedding and portrait photographer who specialises in family and children photography. She's based in Nantwich and is ideal if you're looking for a photographer in Cheshire, the Midlands, Yorkshire, North West and North East of England.

Jill's website is www.jtjphoto.co.uk

Graham Nixon : South of England

Graham is based in Farnborough. He's a very talented wedding and portrait photographer, and the South of England (e.g. Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and London) is on his doorstep.

Graham's website is www.grahamnixon.com

Photography Competitions

Another photography competition, if you're looking for inspiration:

Wildlife or Landscape Photo : RSPB Lochwinnoch

Competition for Wildlife and Landscape photographers. If you're interested please email them at lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk for an entry form. You can view competition entries from 16 August 2008 until 31 August 2008 at the Nature Reserve.

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve 01505 842663

Closing date 8 August, 2008

Good Luck

Photography Exhibitions : Glasgow

Tom Murray : The Beatles Mad Day Out

Exhibition of Limited Edition photographs by Scottish photographer Tom Murray. On display are images from Volumes I & II of the last official photo shoot with the "Fab Four".

27 July, 2008 to 10 August, 2008

Park Gallery, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow

Free Admission

VOWS Awards : Win a Second Honeymoon

The Vows Awards (Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier) are awarded to Scottish wedding companies which offer excellent service. These awards are highly prized by suppliers because winners are nominated by the people that really matter. Brides and Grooms.

So if your wedding was/is between 21st September 2007 and 20th September 2008 and you would like the chance to win a second Honeymoon (don't worry your photographer doesn't go with you) simply nominate four Scotland based wedding suppliers. Here's the link.

Click the logo to visit their website
Closing date 20th September, 2008

Photography Competitions

Getting out more with your camera is the best (and cheapest) way of improving your photography. Entering photographic competitions is a good way of getting into the habit. Here's a few I came across recently:

Picturing the Past : University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen Department of Archaeology is offering a 1,000 (GBP) first prize for the most dramatic and interesting photograph of an archaeological site in Aberdeenshire. There's a separate category for children and full details can be found here.

Closing date 30 September, 2008

Animals in Action : BBC Countryfile

The theme is open to personal interpretations. First prize is 1,000 (GBP) of photography vouchers, it's open to amateurs only and full details are here.

Closing date 29 August, 2008

Gloucestershire at its Best : Explore Gloucestershire

Photograph Gloucestershire at its best and win a First Prize of 250 (GBP) cash. Your photograph is also printed in a 2009 county guide. Full details here.

Closing date 20 January, 2009

Travel Photography : Independent On Sunday

The theme for this competition is "water". First Prize is a commission to photograph a travel destination for a future Insight Travel Guide. Full details here.

Closing date 12 September, 2008

Senses : Sightsavers International

Photography competition for Secondary School pupils (aged 11-18). The theme is "senses". First Prize is brand new SLR camera and a photography workshop with a professional photographer. There's also an exhibition of entries to be held at the gallery@oxo on the South Bank in London between 22 and 26 October 2008. Full details can be found here.

Closing date 12 September, 2008

Good Luck

Photography Exhibitions : Edinburgh

More exhibitions to visit :

Vanity Fair Portraits : 1913 - 2008

Exhibition of 150 portraits with sitters ranging from Claude Monet to Arthur Miller, Katherine Hepburn to David Hockney and Jesse Owens to Julia Roberts.

14 June, 2008 to 21 September, 2008

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery

6(GBP) Admission

FOTO : Modernity in Central Europe 1918 - 1945

Exhibition exploring pioneering photography in Central Europe during turbulent times of social and political change.

7 June, 2008 to 31 August, 2008

Modern Art Gallery Edinburgh : Dean Gallery

6(GBP) Admission

Photography : Photo Retouching

I was down the aisle again today; not a wedding I'm afraid. The "Sunday Shop". Most things on my shopping list had gone up in price again, including my favourite Jam (by a whopping 15 pence). At least petrol hadn't changed since last week.

I've put the shopping away (I'm the kind of person who empties all the bags on the work-top before I start putting stuff away. I'm not one of those people that carrries each shopping bag from drawer to drawer, cupboard to cupboard, putting one thing away at a time. Dunno why, I'm just not). I have a building-site strength cuppa to hand, the radio on and I'm half reading the "Photographer Spotlight" article in Calumet's magazine "Calumet Focus", and half contemplating a few things. I guess I lead what someone in solitary confinement would call an interesting life.

Contemplated thing 1 : Media obsession with doomsday predictions. Melting ice caps, climate change, global warming, pandemics, greenhouse effects, CFC's, ozone holes, acid rain, nuclear winters, BSE, AIDS, Y2K.

Contemplated thing 2 : Media stories that never seem to die; they just keep coming around again and again. Fox hunting, should we move clocks forward/backwards, gay priests, female priests, gang crime, drugs in sport, naughty boys and girls of Rock with one-way tickets to Palookaville, are exams getting easier?, oil supply, binge drinking, GM foods, cloning.

Then on Radio 4 I catch someone saying something like "in the days before photographs were photoshopped" and at that very moment I read, Calumet Spot-lit Photographer, Trevor Leighton claim......

"...the problem with technology is that I just don't know what reality is anymore. Every celebrity picture I take gets retouched to oblivion".

He goes on......

"....when I look at images taken in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, I know at least they are honest".

And this gets me contemplating all over again. This time contemplating Orwellian Reinventions of History.

Everything about photography, I thought to myself, has the potential for 'dishonesty'. Everything from studio lighting (its angle and diffusion) through to hair and makeup, clothes, the choice of lens, lens filters, position of the camera and position of the subject; all can flatter or otherwise.

And when it comes to photographic retouching I thought of George Hurrell. In the 1930's he invented the Hollywood glamour portrait (and the boomlight btw). Hurrell is a one-stop masterclass in lighting and retouching; 60 years before Photoshop.

Take a look at these "before and after" shots of Joan Crawford. Did I mention they are 60 years before Photoshop?

Before Retouching


After 8 hours retouching



Hurrell's art was not a quick fix for poor photography. Hours of painstaking retouching was involved; scrubbing each negative himself, working with graphite powder to smooth away blemishes and unwanted lines, eliminating stray hairs, even sketching in eyelashes to make them longer and more dramatic. And this wasn't new art. It echoed previous habits of portrait painters who would flatter their sitters with unrealistic paintings.

There was/is also practical uses. The road to Hurrell being a big cheese at MGM began when his early work came to the attention of leading lady Norma Shearer. She had been trying to convince their Production Chief (and husband) that she had what it took to play the saucy lead role in The Divorcee. She hired Hurrell to take portraits. She got the role and Hurrell was hired as head of MGM portrait gallery.

It's puzzling why there are so many claims that photo retouching is new. Especially when Photoshop itself uses terms borrowed from traditional darkroom techniques (airbrushing, dodging, burning, unsharp mask, filters). No matter what we think of photo retouching it has a important place in the short history of photography.

Below is another (timeless) image of Joan Crawford.

This image is more than a retouched glamour shot of a long gone actress. It's an artists interpretation of a cultural ideal. A record of another time. An honest piece of work by a photographic great; someone who's post-visualisation and retouching skills are 60 years before Photoshop.

Sources:

Books:

Hurrell's Hollywood Portraits by Mark A. Vieira

50 Years of Photographing Hollywood: The Hurrell Style

by Whitney Stine

Websites

HurrellPhotos.com

HurrellPhotography.com

GeorgeHurrellEstate.com

An interesting short history of tampered photographs