in memory of Francesca
Francesca Woodman's work offers more than meets the eye, with her struggles with mental health profoundly shaping her art before tragically ending her life.
As a young artist turning the lens on herself, she captured a level of rawness and vulnerability that has cemented her status as a photographic icon.
Keep reading to learn more about Francesca’s life and work.
an appreciation of Stieglitz
In this post I dig down to the artistic roots of the medium and offer the man considered to be the father of modern photography, Alfred Stieglitz.
Read on to discover how Stieglitz promoted photography as an true art form and brought the works from aspiring new artists such as Picasso to the attention of the American public.
influencers - Chris Killip
Many of us feel a deep sentiment as we gaze upon images of past worlds that have now slipped away from us.
Read on to explore the work of a photographer dedicated to preserving the nostalgia of a fading era and discover the potential value our own work may hold for future generations.
stop looking, start feeling
How might our experience with photography be improved if we learned to feel rather than see?
Check out this video that explains how to craft photographs that stand out from the crowd.
alone in the storm
There are some images where content alone is unable to convey the complete story.
Here I share the experience that led up to one of my favorite works, and how that continues to drive an emotional response.
streetwalker part 5 - after dark
Initially dismissed, I found that long-exposure images capturing the city after dark adds a new dimension to my ‘street walker’ project.
Keep reading to explore the results of this fresh challenge and the conditions I consider essential for achieving such outcomes.
on closer inspection
I feel that understanding the story behind images often creates closer connections for the viewer.
In this post I select a sample of street photography images taken on my New York trip and provide some background that may be of interest.
taking it to the street
An extended stay in New York City presented an opportunity to explore street photography skills that I could not pass up.
This post chronicles my attempts to come to grips with the genre and the results of those efforts.
streetwalker part 4 - transportation
This final post in the Streetwalker series sees me expanding the scope of my technique with a focus on the New York transit system.
Continue reading to discover the hurdles experienced, and how the challenge was modified to achieve satisfactory results.
streetwalker part 3 - Rain Day
The third post in the Streetwalker series follows my journey to the railway station as I left New York in the midst of a rainstorm.
Continue to see results worthy the soaking I received.
first looks - art connections
Taking inspiration from the work of Paul Harrison, this is an attempt to capture key interactions between museum visitors and artwork on display.
Continue reading to view results and gain insight into the challenges faced during the project.
streetwalker part 2 - art within
The second post in the Streetwalker series takes us inside a renowned art museum.
Join me as I create my own artistic expressions within these hallowed walls.
first looks - streetwalker
It's gratifying when the effort put into experimentation pays off with positive results.
Read on to discover how meandering through city streets led to such fulfilling outcomes.
in praise of the process
As hobbyist photographers we can often become discouraged when fixated on the end result.
Read on to discover how to rekindle the lost joy when pursuing your own craft.
influencers - Paul Harrison
Street photographers thrive off the connections between subjects and their surroundings.
Read on to discover how one artist has taken this principle indoors and elevated it to an intriguing level.
ETTR - a technical perspective
‘Exposing to the Right’ is a controversial technique that claims to improve detail in the shadow areas of images.
In this post I take the reader through camera sensor design and my feelings on how that might relate to the ETTR theory.
spectre camera app review
Have you ever come across a beautiful waterfall and wished you had a DSLR and tripod at hand?
Read on to discover an app that allows stunning shots to be taken on a basic iPhone - no bulky gear required.
a question of reality
They say “the camera never lies”. But how many times do we become discouraged by the camera’s inability to reflect what we witness with our own eyes?
Read on to discover how the camera and photographer may share differing realities.
influencers - Eric Mencher
Street photography can be daunting to those wishing to record the lives of an unsuspecting public.
Read on to meet an award-winning photographer who greatly simplifies the process with astounding results.
seeing your vision
Your photographs may present the world as you see it, but do they present a personal vision?
Read on to discover why those with vision stand out, with a helpful tip on how to discover your own style.