Photo Favourites

These are photos that I like ( and some I don't like ) along the way...






Here is a paper clipping regarding Patrick Litchfield, now I really love Patrick Lichfield photographs, and saw a lot of his work when I was growing up, many years ago.  He is a renowned photographer of the sixties and he carried on working until his death.  This article is advertising a book of his work and has been put together by art historian Martin Harrison - Patrick Lichfields Perceptions.  Well I couldn't resist and purchased the book straight away.  I will come back to this book at a later date, its full of lovely shots.

Another here where all the proportions are wrong, which is interesting if not my cup of tea, its allowed a space here for discussion.  This was one of a selection of similar pictures, which you have to study to see which / what is which / what scale.  Interesting, and nice to see something different, it must be nearly impossible to come up with original ideas, but they do seem to.. or forever trying which is a good thing or life would be dull.

The next picture is the left hand and right hand pages of a double page article, well there were more pictures but I chose this one as an example.  This isn't one of my favourites, in fact I don't even like it that much but thought it was something worth talking about.  Obviously the pictures are somewhat 'manipulated' .. and that is the bit that I don't like - I feel a bit cheated, anyhow, the point the photographer is trying to make is about climate change.

This is Swiss photographer, Alban Kakulya, vision of the future.  The planet has been dramatically altered by climate change and often alarming and surreal circumstances.  This is a fantasy scene, holiday makers at a Spanish beach resort are greeted by an enormous iceberg. Weird..

I am a sucker for a wedding photo and this picture below I love.  The subject - Tired of London, Tired of life, which is available in December, was a collection of photographs in London showing it as anything but boring.  But this shows the beauty of the bride along with a very smart, I presume, father, coming out of the block of flats and off to the ceremony.  There is a strong contrast of glamour against the grotty tower block, which actually looks quite tidy.  The couple are happy in their environment and as always the beauty of the bride shines through.  I really like the naturalness of this picture and a true reflection of London life.

Now this photograph I didn't particularly like but I did find the article interesting.  Its a slightly uncomfortable picture of a very pretty girl with hair coloured grey.  Her eyes are intense and you are drawn straight to them.  Her make up resembles that of the dolls she is cradling - thankfully not too harsh but still a little spooky.  The dolls have a scary look about them, going against the grain of what we expect.
The Little Black Gallery in Chelsea is displaying a series of photos called THE BIRTHDAY PARTY and are apparently pictures of children going to a party in costume, even though one of the boys is in his pants.  Neighbours have complained about the pictures as the are local schools and a church near by that all have to walk past the window where these are displayed.  They are calling them semi pornographic, which may be a bit harsh - but I haven't seen the others.  This picture is of the photographers daughter and her friends, if that makes any difference.

I personally dont like the photo, and would be privilege to take a picture of such a beautiful child and make them look even more beautiful, but then that would be boring if we all did the same. I do feel though that some artists do just try and shock for the sake of it, but I suppose its given us subject for conversation. Their comment was ' we have to stop the idea that anything to do with images of children is to do with paedophilia - it is just not the case'.... and I do agree with this however,  this gallery has been in trouble before with other complaints to the police, apparently ....

This photo I really liked ... it was in the Times I think - yes, Sunday Times, called SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER by Neil Holden.  It was taken in the gardens of Isola Bella, on Lake Maggiore, Italy.  I love the way the white peacocks tail feathers mirrors that of the building. Its perfect, great timing too ... in the words of the Times...   Grand, Showy, over the top and Gorgeous... I quite agree...

This is a newspaper snippet about an exhibition in London.  It is at the London Canal Museum, Kings Cross, until 28th of Feb and I will try and make a visit at some point.  The exhibition gives londoners a glimpse of a time when the capitals canals were vital for work and trade.  It features black and white photographs of canal workers - the photographer - Robert Longden, who was a factory worker.  I shall return to this once I have visited with my preview ..

I really like portraits like the one below and I thought as I have been on my portrait course it was appropriate.  I like the simplicity of it and the beautiful lighting, which is coming in from high left, illuminating the skin.  I love the nude colours all blending together, and the pose - very nice.

Here another picture of similar subject, this was a spectacular crash in the women's race in Holland, thankfully no one was seriously hurt, and from a photographers point of view he has to be right there when it happens and here up close and snapping away, it must be hard to not try and help everyone recover... but I suppose the shot is more important.  You only get one chance...

Pictures of the moment... I love the Tour de France and whilst in Cambridge found this book of 10 years of the photographers career.  The photographer is Tim De Waele.  He is on the road for over 250 days a year covering all the tours and majors.  He qualified as a photographer in 1989 and worked on the Tour de France for the first time in 1990. Long regarded as the pre-eminent photographer in professional cycling he hopes to continue in the sport for a long time yet.
Apparently the cover photo here, he has covered his camera with cling film then asked one of the riders to squirt him with his water bottle.
The second shot really shows how difficult the job is - hanging off the back of a motorcycle trying to take photos in focus, correct exposure etc etc... I have a job with two feet on the ground.  I think this is a great picture - I love it. This book is packed with great photos, so colourful and interesting, not always sunny, but often sunny, wonderful pictures of cyclists with all the gear and coordinating bikes, and the thousands of colourful spectators who are just as interesting, and beautiful surrounding countryside and mountains. I shall look at this often.

I dont normally like nude pictures - or shall I say they bore me - when used to try and shock - I mean, we've all seen a 'booby' ... anyway moaning aside these pictures below I really do like.  Both topical .. Tsonga in the run up to wimbledon and Victoria Pembleton prior to the Olympics. Both fun and inoffensive showing two lovely bodies.  Both with the addition of a sports implement.