I recently watched a documentary on Helmut Newton, made by his wife June. He is such an interesting character, quite quirky, with a definite misogynistic air to his work and beliefs; but at the same time he idolises women. It is an interesting watch and his work is very inspiring. Here are a couple quotes from the doco which really stuck with with me...
Talking about how the American public sees the American female he says, "no nipples, American women have no pussy, they don't smoke, they don't drink they don't do anything."
On fashion: "I still believe that the perfect fashion photograph is the photograph that does not look like a fashion photograph..."
Point Adis
The other week some friends and I took a drive to Point Adis for the day. It was quite unsettling.
We got to the beach and made our way down the cliff to the sand. Once we got to the bottom we could see we had the entire mile or so of the beach to ourselves. It was great. We decided the best place for us to be was right in the middle. Walking along the bottom of a cliff on a deserted beach is a little ominous feeling, as though you are being watched. This was not helped by the rather large dead black bird in our path. We inspected, took a photo and carried on. We hadn't moved ten meters when we came across another bird, we looked at it and then continued, only to come across another bird and another then another. There must have been about twenty or so birds scattered across our half of the beach. All big, all in tact, all dead. Combine this with the high cliffs and silent, empty beach and you have a 'I know what you did last scary movie'. We felt a little uneasy, but the weather was way too good for the day to be spoiled so we sat down, drank beer, ate dip and sun-baked with the decomposing fauna.
We got to the beach and made our way down the cliff to the sand. Once we got to the bottom we could see we had the entire mile or so of the beach to ourselves. It was great. We decided the best place for us to be was right in the middle. Walking along the bottom of a cliff on a deserted beach is a little ominous feeling, as though you are being watched. This was not helped by the rather large dead black bird in our path. We inspected, took a photo and carried on. We hadn't moved ten meters when we came across another bird, we looked at it and then continued, only to come across another bird and another then another. There must have been about twenty or so birds scattered across our half of the beach. All big, all in tact, all dead. Combine this with the high cliffs and silent, empty beach and you have a 'I know what you did last scary movie'. We felt a little uneasy, but the weather was way too good for the day to be spoiled so we sat down, drank beer, ate dip and sun-baked with the decomposing fauna.
Taryn Simon
I've recently started volunteering at the Center of Contemporary Photography in Melbourne. At the moment we have a show of Taryn Simon's work, 'An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar'. It's a great body of work detailing the difference between public and privileged information. I found a great video of her talking about the work.
Dear Friend
Vivian received this in the post the other day. It was addressed, in pen, to his full name. Although this is a pyramid scam scheme, there is something charming and empathisable with the writing. I really do hope that Dave Rhodes from Perth has actually made over $1,000,000.
Interview vomit
I took this while waiting for a train after an interview that went really well. I didn't get the job.
Spring Street in Fitzroy
The other day I was having some lunch outside the state library, when a guy came up to ask for a cigarette. While I was rolling it for him he started asking me about Spring street in Fitzroy. I told him I didn't know it. He did not like this answer. I was then, very abruptly, told to go to Spring Street in Fitzroy. Do you know what you will learn on Spring Street in Fitzroy!? How to build old fashion houses! And with that he thanked me for the cigarette and walked away.
Jackson Eaton
This is why I love the internet. I was looking at one site, got led to another then another and so on, until I found Jackson Eaton. I was looking through some of his images and found this, which really took my breath away.
Alec Soth
Q&A interview for
Brighton Photography Biennial
Alec Soth will be presenting work made in collaboration with his seven year old daughter for this year's Brighton Photo Biennial.
Untitled. From the series 'Brighton Picture Hunt', 2010. Photoworks Commission Photo: CARMEN & ALEC SOTH
Alec Soth (b. 1969) is a photographer born and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
For this year's Brighton Photo Biennial, Soth was commissioned by Photoworks for the show Strange & Familiar: Three Views of Brighton. Denied permission to work in the UK earlier this year, he handed over the reins of his latest exhibition to a new collaborator: his seven-year-old daughter Carmen.
What's the greatest picture you didn’t take?
I’m not that obsessed with individual photographs. In a matter of seconds I could do a Google image search and come up with a dozen pictures that are ‘greater’ than any I’ve ever taken. The challenge is coming up with a great sequence of pictures that work together.
Which photographer would you most like to (a) work with and (b) talent spot
I’m a terrible collaborator. I’ve worked with someone I’ve idolized as a young photographer – John Gossage. I found the process nerve-wracking. So if I was going to collaborate again, I might have to wait a couple of decades until someone idolizes me.
For young talent, I’d go to the Netherlands. I love the work of Anouk Kruithof.
What keeps you awake at night?
My two kids – and the fact that I don’t photograph them or anyone else I know. I’d like to eventually do work at home but haven’t figured out how to do it.
If you hadn't have become a photographer what would you have like to have been?
I imagine I’d be doing some sort of online entrepreneurial activity.
Do you have a life philosophy?
The key to happiness is living in the moment. But as a photographer, I’m looking for the exact opposite. I want to stop time. So I guess my philosophy is to stubbornly carry on.
How do you germinate ideas for your work?
As I’m falling asleep.
You in three words
Little Brown Mushroom
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
Follow curiosity shamelessly.
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