Book Reviews : Bondi Work

 

Paul Freeman : Bondi Work

Shot largely on location in sweaty workshops and factory environments, with the focus on the Aussie blue-collar worker, Bondi Work continues Freeman’s fascination with capturing what is intrinsic to male beauty. This is the third nude portrait publication that Paul Freeman has produced and builds on the success of Bondi Classic and Bondi Urban. The development of his artistic eye and technical skills will be evident to those readers familiar with the previous two books.

Bondi Work is an extremely sophisticated publication. Freeman strips each frame back to the bare essentials. He uses tight compositions and dramatic lighting to create tension. Sequences of shots are also included that allow the viewers imagination to wander along a narrative path. Erotic nude photography – female or male – this striking is rare. The book includes over 300 photographs and should appeal to all lovers of human form photography.

Exhibition Highlight : Jason Kimberley

The Unseen Beauty of Antartica Revealed…

Who : Jason Kimberley

When : 15 November – 7 December

Where : Kozminsky Gallery, 421 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria

This collection of twenty-five images transports the viewer to another world. Kimberley’s ability to capture a story is evident in these breathtaking landscapes and intimate portraits. Already renowned for his evocative images of the Australian landscape, this series follows Kimberley on the journey of a lifetime trekking through the heart of the coldest and most inhospitable place on the planet. Accompanied by fellow explorers Peter Hillary and Jason Veale, Kimberley spent three weeks surviving in temperatures that ranged between minus fifteen and minus forty five degrees. The men hauled their provisions and equipment in sledges across the windswept Horse Shoe Valley on the edge of the Ellsworth Mountains.

“Antartica is a place where the entire journey is the highlight. Being there, looking across the Polar plateau rising nine thousand feet towards the South Pole some six hundred nautical miles away is truly humbling. Just to survive in this environment is a challenge – to travel, explore, coexist and photograph is something much more” – Jason Kimberley.

   

   

Exhibition Review : Different Takes

Different Takes : Five Photographic Artists

When : 14 October – 15 November 2006

Where : Penny School Gallery & Cafe, 11 Church Street Maldon Vic 3463

Contact : www.pennyschoolgallery.com.au

A group show by five art photographers proves that digital technology has not yet eradicated the pleasures of alternative processes. The exhibition provides an overview of techniques as well as demonstrating the artistic journeys taken by the participants. Opened by Julie Millowick – a talented photographic artist and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Visual Arts and Design at Latrobe University on Saturday 14^th October, the show runs until mid November. Artists represented include: Wendy Currie, Silvi Glattauer, Christine Lim, John P Pollard and Lynette Zeeng. They all have extensive exhibition histories and some members of the group have received national and international awards for their work. Examples of the processes on show include Cyanotype, Vandyke Brown, Bromoil, Photogravure, Gum Bichromate and Polaroid Transfer.

Editorial : Copyright vs Copyleft

The increasing popularity of image sharing sites such as flickr is raising some interesting questions about intellectual property. Social software enables anybody, anytime, anywhere to load their work onto the internet. Likewise, it grants equal access to that work. While there are some photographers on flickr who embed watermarks into their images or apply copyright licenses to the work, most do not. I imagine that copyright infringements in these kinds of environments would be virtually impossible to police however the more interesting idea is that the majority of users do not regard them as necessary.

Digital technology has made photography immediately accessible to a generation of consumers who are becoming accustomed to photographing subjects and in environments that have not previously been commonly recorded. They are also used to adding pictures to almost every form of communication. Where will this kind of ubiquitous visual literacy leave traditional photographers?

Focus On : Cowboy Kate Rides Again

Nude photography changed forever when Sam Haskins’ Cowboy Kate & Other Stories hit the shelves back in 1967. Considered a classic for its development of a visual narrative, Cowboy Kate & Other Stories sold out every international edition printed. Haskin’s selective eye has produced a photographic fable, with a synopsis by Desmond Skirrow and subtly erotic black and white photographs. It is to be reissued later this year. This ‘Director’s Cut’ version is complete with digital restored plates and several never before seen images that Haskins has added to the mix.

In a photographic career that has spanned almost fifty years and included many memoriable advertising, editorial and illustrative shoots, Haskins’ greatest love remains his books. His monographs allow him to develop and follow narratives as well as pursue visual themes and symbols. His work has always articulated the sentiments and aesthetic preoccupations of his generation. Haskins’ images are characterised by frivolity and beauty. He was one of the first colour practitioners to make a trademark out of multiple image techniques. 

Focus On : Collecting Photography

  A rare print of Ansel Adams’ “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico” (printed in 1948) sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $609 000. This spectacular price is almost twice the highest amount that Adams’ work had sold for previously. The print fetched such a high price because it is quite different to other prints that Adams made from the same negative throughout the course of his career. Two later (printed in the 1960’s), much darker prints, sold at the same auction for approximately $33 000 each.

Clearly collecting photography is as much about versions or editions as it is about photographers and images. Laura Noble in The Art of Collecting Photography offers some practical advice on how to start purchasing prints for a collection.

• set a budget and stick to it;
• research the technical aspects that apply to the type of photography you are interested in as this will in part determine the value of the work and the ways in which you can display it;
• research the photographer that you are interested in, and if possible, acquire any available monographs of his or her work.

As your collection expands, Noble recommends specialising. You could, for instance, concentrate on collecting work by one particular photographer or theme such as landscapes. Some collectors even choose to focus their collections on particular processes. Most importantly though, choose work you enjoy!

Focus On : Roz McQuillan’s Exhibition.

The Printed Image’s regular customer’s may be interested in dropping in to Roz McQuillan’s exhibition of drawings and paintings at the Journal Café next time they are in town. Ms McQuillan is an accomplished artist who focuses primarily on the human form :

” I have always found my painting and drawing inspiration in the depiction of the human form and face and, in particular, in trying to capture the strength, beauty, personality and spirit of the person.”

For those of you who find it strange that a photography bookshop is promoting a painting exhibition – Ms McQuillan was the Manageress of The Printed Image for over twenty five years. Despite moving on from the store in order to pursue her painting career almost twelve months ago, she remains sorely missed by staff and customers alike.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday 31st October to Monday 13th November at Journal Cafe 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne.

Focus On : Life on Earth

With Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth searing the minds of audiences in cinema everywhere, climate change is currently a hot topic. Hopefully the media attention to all things environmental will prove to be a reflection of increasing reader interest rather than a passing fad. It is encouraging to see public awareness of environmental issues growing – particularly because the groundswell seems to be transcending political, social and class differences.Two photographers who have made the state of the world their life’s work are Yann Arthus-Betrand and Frans Lanting. Both have recently completed lengthy journeys in order to record the changes occurring to the planet and its life forms.

 Arthus-Bertand’s book The Earth From The Air: 366 Days includes some frightening scenes of devastation caused by natural disasters and human civilisation. As implied by the title, each image is taken from the air, this birds eye view gives the photographs a scale and context that could not have been achieved by shooting from ground level.

 Conversely, Frans Lanting’s book Life: A Journey Through Time is replete with close-ups of microscopic life forms. By focussing on details, he makes visual connections between subjects as seemingly diverse as organs in the human body and patterns on the surface of the earth. The interdependence between species and the reliance of all forms of life on the planet itself is shown to be the true secret of life.

A.P.C.S. Photography Market Update

Organisers estimate that between 750 and 1000 people attended the A.P.C.S. Photography Market held in Camberwell Town Hall on Sunday 8th October. While those numbers were down slightly from attendance at the March fair, most stall holders were pleased with the turnout. The early start and patchy rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of attendees or stall holders!

The Printed Image were surprised to note that interest was highest in alternative process and digital technique books. It would seem that digital and traditional processes are not as mutually exclusive as they may appear and many keen photographers are actually exploring both areas.

We were also pleased to note a resurgence of interest in fine quality monographs. Hardcover coffee table books tend to be the domain of collectors, however many visitors to our stall chose these over the cheaper softcovered books in our specials crates. Hopefully this is an indication that people are returning to sourcing inspiration from the fine quality and detail of books. While the internet is convenient, quick and broad in its scope, it does not offer the same contemplative pleasure as a lovingly produced book.

It was wonderful to touch base with our customers. We fielded some great suggestions for titles to bring in to store. We also received a number of applications for our gallery so watch this space for upcoming exhibitions. See you next year at the fair!

Book Review : The World of Lith Printing

Tim Rudman has produced a companion book to his classic text The Master Photograher’s Lith Printing Course. The World of Lith Printing : The Best of Traditional Darkroom and Digital Lith Printing Techniques provides a comprehensive reference to all things lith. It updates information from the The Master Photographer’s Lith Printing Course – especially with regard to printing materials and techniques. Rudman also explores the application of digital techniques both in traditional lith printing and in its digital simulation.The World of Lith Printing : The Best of Traditional Darkroom and Digital Lith Printing Techniques is beautifully illustrated with portfolios of images from specifically invited international guest contributors including Australian photographer Jackie Ranken. The diversity of folios powerfully demonstrate the tremendous scope of possibilities that lith printing can offer photographic artists.