Black & White
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2010 [ Shortlisted ]
16/06/10 19:10 Post: News
My Shortlisted Photograph In The British Wildlife Awards 2010
Earlier this week I received an email notifying me that I’ve been shortlisted in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2010.
“An international photography competition, the BWPA was established to celebrate and recognise the talents of photographers of all nationalities practicing in the UK, while at the same time highlight the great wealth and diversity of British natural history. At a time when we're increasingly conscious of the importance of wildlife, habitat and conservation, the Awards encourage photographers, whether professional or enthusiast, to explore Britain’s natural and urban environments, and discover its bounty of wildlife, from birds to mammals, insects to marine life.”
(Source: The BWPA website)
As you might expect, I’m truly delighted to be shortlisted in this wonderful photography competition. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next...
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Murmurations Signal The Beginning Of Winter
29/11/09 23:53 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 04:30pm on North Pier in Blackpool, UK. Tuesday 27th October 2009.
Since my last blog post back in October (Blackpool Public Artworks Photography Commission) there have been several noteworthy developments to my photographic practice. One of the most exciting items of news is that I’ve been asked to be an Associate Lecturer in Photography at UCLAN’s Media Factory in Preston. I’m currently teaching and mentoring first year photography degree students undertaking PH1010, a module that consists of a number of traditional black & white photography assignments. The last time I was in a lecture I was studying for my Masters in Blackpool, so its great to get back into the classroom and brainstorm new ideas about photography with the students.
I’m also a ‘Photographer in Residence’ at the Media Factory, so I’ve been busy organising two new photography projects (a psychogeographic assignment with UCLAN photography students and a separate community-based arts project in Blackpool) that will feature in a new photography exhibition at UCLAN’s Victoria Building in September 2010.
You may have noticed from the photographs featured in this blog post (and its title) that starlings are back in Blackpool once again. Starlings signal the beginning of Winter when these murmurations start to perform this marvellous spectacle. Murmurations are one of the most magical, yet underrated, spectacles of wildlife on display during Winter.
Taken at 04:32pm on North Pier in Blackpool, UK. Tuesday 27th October 2009.
“Impenetrable as the flock’s movements might seem to the human eye, the underlying maths is comparatively straightforward. Each bird strives to fly as close to its neighbours as possible, instantly copying any changes in speed or direction. As a result, tiny deviations by one bird are magnified and distorted by those surrounding it, creating rippling, swirling patterns. In other words, this is a classic case of mathematical chaos (larger shapes composed of infinitely varied smaller patterns). Whatever the science, however, it is difficult for the observer to think of it as anything other than some vast living entity.”
(Source: ‘The Mathematics Of Murmurating Starlings’ by Daniel Butler in the Telegraph newspaper) 
Taken at 04:26pm on North Pier in Blackpool, UK. Tuesday 27th October 2009.
The promenade and piers offer fantastic vantage points to photograph starlings. North Pier did become somewhat crowded while I was taking photographs, which resulted in me having to answer all manner of questions about starlings from one particularly inquisitive tourist. 
Taken at 04:19pm near North Pier in Blackpool, UK. Thursday 29th October 2009.
Wildlife photography requires both patience and persistence. Large periods of time are spent waiting for something to happen with quick short bursts to action that you can miss with the blink of an eye. Knowing your camera and subject inside out is crucial in capturing the best possible moment. The photograph above (entitled ‘Dog Chasing Starlings’) is a mixture of all these things. I watched and waited as the starlings feed on the beach, knowing that if I waited long enough, something would happen. I saw a man approach with his dog near the break of the waves when suddenly the dog bolted towards the flock. As they scattered, I began taking photographs and hoped for the best.
To see more starlings photographs please visit the Starlings Above gallery.
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Sony World Photography Awards 2009: Global Tour Dates
15/09/09 22:26 Post: Exhibitions
The four photographs from the series 'Starlings Above' currently featured on the SWPA Global Tour.
Yesterday I received confirmation of the forthcoming dates and venues of the Sony World Photography Awards Global Tour 2009/10, so I thought I'd post the information in case anyone wishes to take a look at the exhibition for him/herself. Further details and website links for the galleries can be found on my exhibitions page.
6th October 2009 - 20th October 2009
Edward Day Gallery (Toronto, Canada)
13th October 2009 - 24th October 2009
Galerie Esther Woerdehoff (Paris, France)
22nd October 2009 - 30th October 2009
Aperture Gallery (New York City, USA)
22nd October 2009 - 23rd October 2009
Pavilion (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
26th November 2009 - 12th December 2009
Ardel Gallery of Modern Art (Bangkok, Thailand)
The exhibition will also feature in Mexico (late 2009), London (2010) & Berlin (2010) although the dates/venues have yet to be confirmed. I shall (of course) post the relevant dates/venues when I find out.
I visited the Aperture Gallery in NYC back in April 2006 where I saw a fantastic exhibition entitled 'Regeneration: 50 Photographers of Tomorrow' (there is also an accompanying book for those of you who may be interested). It's such a wonderful space for viewing photography and I'm just so thrilled to know that I'll have my work on display there next month. If only I could get myself over there...
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Karima Francis: The Author
06/09/09 22:54 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 11:12pm at West Coast Cafe in Blackpool, UK. Saturday 5th September 2009.
Last night I had the chance to watch the wonderful singer/songwriter Karima Francis play an intimate acoustic gig at the West Coast Rock Cafe in Blackpool. This was Karima's first gig in her hometown since playing with the likes of James Morrision at the Albert Hall and featuring on Later With Jools Holland in April earlier this year. I used to see Karima play acoustic sets at open mic nights in Blackpool years ago and I've always considered her to be an incredibly talented musician. As an avid lover of live music, I try and go to as many gigs and festivals as I possibly can. Admittedly, I don't always photograph the gigs I go to (we all deserve a little bit of time off from time to time), but I just had to take this chance to photograph Karima play.
Photographing live performances can sometimes be rather difficult. This is because a) the ambient light is very low (or next to non-existent) and b) musicians tend to move around as they play. Obviously you can use flash to help you out in those sort of situations, but I tend to find that firing a bright light at someone constantly (especially as they're playing a beautiful song they've painfully crafted) just isn't that fair. So, I refrain from using flash unless I've asked the artist beforehand and they're comfortable with me doing so. Fortunately I was able to get really close to Karima during the gig and so I managed to get away without using any additional lighting. I knew that the pictures would turn out quite grainy, but I thought this would add to the overall atmosphere when I converted them to black & white. This is my favourite photograph from the ones that I took last night as it really shows the passion of her performance.
I always like to share and promote talented artists, so I thoroughly recommend that you check out Karima's debut album 'The Author'. It's certainly music to my ears.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 3200
Focal Length: 85mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60th sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
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Sony World Photography Awards 2009 - Finalist
18/03/09 09:10 Post: News
A screenshot of my shortlisted series ‘Starlings Above’ in the Sony World Photography Awards 2009.
The Sony World Photography Awards is a truly global competition. From Argentina to Zimbabwe, over 60,000 photograph entries were submitted this year from 139 different countries. The Honorary Judging Committee, comprising of world-renowned photographers, curators, representatives from leading international photo agencies, publishers and critics made their selection from 36,546 professional and 25,370 amateur photography submissions. I was shortlisted in the Fine Art - Natural History category in February 2009 with my series of black & white photographs documenting starlings in flight. Yesterday I was announced as one of the third place professional category finalists! I really didn’t expect to even be shortlisted, so I’m really pleased to have got this far on my first attempt of entering the competition (and plus, there’s always next year!).
Those who judged the Fine Art - Natural History category include Zelda Cheatle, portfolio manager and curator (UK); Mary-Ellen Mark, photographer (USA); Sarah Moon, photographer (France), and Philippe Garner, International Head of Photographs at Christie’s (UK).
The 44 photographers, from 22 separate countries, were selected from the 186 shortlisted photographers revealed last month. Each of the photographers on the list will be exhibited and honoured at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony at the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, on Thursday 16 April. Of the 12 professional category winners, one photographer will be the recipient of the L’Iris D’Or, the Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year.
As one of the finalists, my photographs will be showcased as part of the winner’s exhibition in Cannes from the 14th-19th April 2009. The work will also be featured in the 2009/10 Global Tour exhibition and be published in the SWPA 2009 Winner’s Book. The work will be represented by SWPA and will be made available for sale during the various exhibitions on the Global Tour which, next year, include Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, Canada, USA as well as stops in South America and Europe. I also receive two complimentary tickets to attend the Awards Ceremony in Cannes on the 16th April as well as the week-long Festival.
To see my entry alongside the other photographers in the Natural History category visit the Sony World Photography Awards 2009 website. You can also read the official press release and an online article featured on Culture 24 for more information too.
Note: This blog post is an update/modification of a previous post written on Sunday 8th March 2009.
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St Margaret's Church
10/02/09 21:34 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 07:55pm in Wolstanton, Staffordshire. UK. Sunday 8th February 2009.
Saint Margaret's is a church located in my hometown of Wolstanton on the outskirts of Newcastle-under-Lyme and is the main focal point of the village (as can be said of many churches in small villages across the country). There are many possible reasons why this is (religious or otherwise), but for me it’s mainly down to the fact that it’s the single largest building in the surrounding area. I have to say that I’ve somewhat struggled to find inspiration in my hometown to produce creative photographic images, but the recent batch of snow and frost has given me a new found hope. The churchyard itself is quite fantastic to photograph (especially in these conditions) and holds a rather morbid mystery.
A remarkable grave is located in the churchyard of St Margaret's. The headstone of Sarah Smith (deceased 1783) includes a short poem written in the first person in which Sarah suggests that she was murdered; “with half a pint of poyson he came to visit me' and then provides a clue to her killer, 'it was C___s B___w who brought me to my end”.
Very spooky indeed...
I’m starting to think that the village isn’t such a bad place to take pictures after all!
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 17mm
Shutter Speed: 20 seconds
F-Stop: f/8
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Breakwater
05/02/09 10:25 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 01:16pm in North Shore Blackpool, UK. Friday 23rd January 2009.
I’ve always loved being on the edge of the seaside fringe, so to start today’s blog post I thought I’d share where I think this fascination originated. As a young boy I spent my summer holidays with my Grandma at her house in St-Idesbald, Belgium. We’d spend our days picking shells along the beach, walking her three lovely Bassett hounds and enjoying being at the seaside together. I think this is were my affinity and affection for coastal life began, yet it wasn’t until I moved to Blackpool in 2003 that I became aware of what a profound influence the times with my Grandma had on me and my relationship with the seaside.
The Blackpool coast is a constantly shifting and morphing landscape which offers a mélange of creative possibilities and the space for conceptual musings. This space where the sea meets the land has been a major theme of many artistic practitioners (including nineteenth century landscape painters such as JMW Turner and John Constable) and plays an integral part of my own personal work documenting life on the Fylde coast. This black & white photograph, entitled ‘Breakwater’ looks at the boundaries between the sea, the land and ourselves. The composition is simply constructed into thirds, focussing on the three main elements of water, concrete and rock in the image.
Forthcoming Exhibition News - I’ve been selected to exhibit my work at Keele University’s Three Counties Open Photography Exhibition 2009. I’ve exhibited at this annual exhibition in my hometown for the past seven years and its always a pleasure to have my work next to other photographers from the area. This year I have one photograph (entitled ‘Ballroom Dancing’) in the exhibition and I’m really looking forward to the preview night on the 25th February 2009. If your in the area on the day, feel free to come down and take a look at the work. The exhibition will officially open on the 26th February 2009 and will run until early April 2009.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 250
Focal Length: 24mm
Shutter Speed: 1/200th sec
F-Stop: f/8
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Starlings Above (Part Two)
30/01/09 16:09 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 04:33pm in Blackpool, UK. Thursday 29th January 2009.
This black and white photograph is the latest addition to my on-going personal project documenting starlings in flight. Photographing natural subjects like starlings requires a great deal of patience as you never quite sure what they may do next. I usually find the best way to approach them is to compose the image the way you want it and then hope that they will do something rather spectacular within the frame (which doesn’t always happen!). They also demand that you think quickly on your feet as they are often unpredictable and incredibly fast in flight. Each time I see starlings in Blackpool I always try to record a different aspect to them and, in this particular image, I’ve focussed upon them feeding on the beach.The image also shows a little bit more of the environmental setting that this natural phenomenon occurs, which is something I feel is slightly lacking in some of the other photographs I’ve taken for the series.
My recently updated Starlings gallery includes this new photograph alongside another black & white photograph that I took during the same afternoon.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 44mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125th sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
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Starlings Above (Part One)
04/11/08 20:45 Post: Personal Work
Taken at 3:51pm from North Pier, Blackpool. Tuesday 4th November 2008.
North Pier in Blackpool is a wonderful location to view starlings during the winter months and this afternoon I got another opportunity to photograph them. This is the first chance I’ve had to do some personal work since finishing my MA course and completing my recent freelance assignments, so I’m really pleased to be starting my postgraduate life with this photograph of starlings over Blackpool beach.
I will never forget the first time I saw a flock of starlings. It was during a cold February morning in 2006 on Blackpool promenade and there wasn’t another soul to be seen. I was walking past North Pier when I saw a huge swarm of starlings feeding on the beach. After a minute or so, the starlings all took off, on mass, creating what can only be described as a giant bubble. They made their way towards me, flying fast and low across the beach. The sound they made was simply incredible. There is something innately beautiful about starlings and I always feel very privileged to just to see them.
A selection of six black & white photographs that I’ve taken of starlings in flight can now be viewed in the portfolio section of this site. More to follow...
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 500
Focal Length: 85mm
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
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