Discursive Documents 16th Feb

February 16, 2017

Sugar Paper Theories.

February 16, 2017

'forty years ago, two men went missing in southwest Iceland. The facts of their disappearances are scarce, and often mundane. An 18-year-old set off from a nightclub, drunk, on a 10-kilometre walk home in the depths of Icelandic winter. Some months later, a family man failed to return from a meeting with a mysterious stranger. In another time or place, they might have been logged as missing persons and forgotten by all but family and friends. Instead, the Gudmundur and Geirfinnur case became the biggest and most controversial murder investigation in Icelandic history'

Following a talk from Jack, I felt compelled to get a copy of my own so I could spend some time immersed in this intelligent book design. Furthermore, I was captivated by the story and had to know more.

Jack spoke about his research methods and his time in Iceland. There is a real sense of integrity and care that is present in the photo-book. Embellished in the story and those it had affected, Jack's rigorous approach enabled the book to present a complex story through a multifaceted mixture of photographic styles and intelligent book design.

I have passed the book among my family members and they have all been charmed by its tangible design utilising different paper types and weights. Finally, the enchanting photographs printed upon the pages form a strong foundation in which the book is built around.

The skillfully composed large format photographs are clear and static, they aid our understanding of the complex and mysterious case. As I progress through the book it becomes apparent that the work is as much about false memory ( or memory distrust syndrome). The book incorporates text by Professor Gisli Gudjónsson CBE a former Reykjavik policeman and forensic psychologist. The added text gives the work an extra rigour and integrity which is further reinforced by involvement with a diverse range of people connected with the case in some way.

Although largely sold out in stores I believe there are some copies available over at

http://www.jacklatham.com

The many lives of William Klein.

February 15, 2017

For any of my friends into photography that, like me, want to find a halfway between work and pleasure.

La Gran Sabana : Venezuela

February 13, 2017

Whenever I get some free time I have been Re-visiting some photographs from December that I made in Venezuela. I am slowly negotiating a project of these.

My Girlfriend, her mother and I traveled to 'La Gran Sabana' The journey involved a flight from Caracas, followed by a ten hour drive. La Gran Sabana Is a place of outstanding beauty. Furthermore, the land is inhabited by Venezuela's indigenous people. The first thing you notice about La Gran Sabana is that it is V A S T !

I'm so enchanted by the land and the beautiful people that I was fortunate enough to encounter. Despite the beautiful landscapes that make La Gran Sabana famous, I was fascinated by the daily reality in the small towns and the beautifully gentle and curious people that call La Gran Sabana home.

The Pupil Sphere.

February 09, 2017

I was lucky enough to have my 2016 photobook 'It's about Michael, Isn't it?' Featured on The pupil Sphere. There is going to be more photobook 'read throughs' on the horizon which I encourage you all to check out.

Thanks for watching!

Thomas J. Duffield uses a combination of constructed photographs and archival material to chronicle family life amidst testing times. Using personal memory and anecdotal tales, the artist explores the issues caused by drug addiction. Furthermore, the repercussions within domestic life as a result of this. Book copyright of Thomas J.

Commercial shoot : Thai food

January 26, 2017

The first commercial shoot of 2017.

Hopefully, this should make you hungry? or maybe the whole vegetable thing isn't for you. I'm trying to keep on trend with this one... Next week I will be photographing a fresh ground coffee filtered through a hipster's beard.

Jokes aside, I have a passion for cooking and I believe the best food is what the earth pushes up from the ground. I would really like to branch out the commercial side of my practice to support and promote this.

Photographed and styled by me.

Behind the scenes...

I used a Mamiya 67 with digital back. The camera provides amazing resolution so any opportunities for printing or other commercial use is always accessible.

In terms of lighting, I kept it minimal and clean. I feel like if things are two complicated when photographing food its becomes less appealing and more synthetic looking.

Furthermore, I discovered the importance of food styling. I undertook this one myself but realised it would serve me well to outsource in future.

George The Poet & Paul Graham

January 21, 2017

A testement to the way great photography can resonate with many,

George the poet reacts to a photograph of Paul Grahams taken from the series 'American nights'

worth a watch!

let me know what you think in the comments!

Feliz año.

January 18, 2017

Feliz año

I welcomed 2017 in Venezuela this year, It was nice to take a break from current projects and to use photography more freely.

Due to the Current situation in Venezuela I spent a lot of time indoors, photographing the everyday moments that were so estranged to me as a visitor to the country. I spent my days trying the local food, drinking 'Papelon con límon' and thinking about what to tackle first when I return home.

I could have quite easily lost track of the days and woke up ten years later still in Venezuela.

I can't thank enough everyone for their hospitality and warmth.

I returned home jet lagged but very enthusiastic about 2017. I pledge to be much more active on this blog and keep some good content coming, I hope you find some value in this. With most of my time being tied up in writing the last couple of months it's time to start looking through that viewfinder again.

Happy new year to all,

I hope this year brings good things to all of you, and we can start to see an end to all the nonsense that is troubling so many people around the world.

120.

November 16, 2016

First Roll of 120 film : A humbling experience.

My first roll of medium format film was a mixture of miss-focussed images and not so perfect exposures. I favour manual focus even when I am using my digital camera but the waist level viewfinder was different for me in both composition and focusing. Despite the difference, there is a stillness to the square format. Furthermore, I find a self reflection in the slow process of using film.

The process is fitting for my current project as it reflects the stillness, arduous and hesitance in the pursuit that I am currently undergoing.

The project is a cathartic process for me and I will be revealing more on this blog as it develops further. The reward of first seeing an image that works is something that is unrivalled by digital photography, whether this is due to the suspense that it entails or the subtle differences in the aesthetic I have found great pleasure in this.

'You are an addict, so be addicted. Just be addicted to something else'

William Eggleston.

November 01, 2016

W I L L I A M E G G L E S T O N

I have meant to do a post like this for a while now, and following a recent trip to a William Eggleston exhibition at The national portrait gallery, I was inspired.

Untitled, c.1975 (Marcia Hare in Memphis, Tennessee) by William Eggleston

William Eggleston was a pioneer of early colour photography and utilised a dye transfer process that due to its expensive nature was almost exclusively used for commercial photography. The process results in incredible colour saturation and longevity.

To me it seems that Eggleston photographs the worlds as if it was alien to him, his fluid compositions seem inherent and effortless, they just work. His photographs have changed the way I see the world around me. Eggleston gives a democratic view of the world in which the most banal view is given great value in the still image, Furthermore this everyday image is brought to fruition with such laborious and expensive printing process we are forced to look at it with new consideration.

"I am at war with the obvious" - William Eggleston.

Mamiya.

October 20, 2016

M A M I Y A C 3 3 0

This weekend I will be shooting on the C330,

I find the waist level viewfinder helps with portraiture as it allows you to connect with your subject more successfully without any barriers between you and them.

I have loaded the camera with Portra 400 which which I thought would be more suitable for shooting indoors.

All going well my next post will show the results!

Emulsions.

October 10, 2016

A N A L O G

In preparation for the short, and ongoing project 'Venezuela, La invisible' I had to make the decision on what camera system would best suit the work. I entered photograph In a digital age and therefore never took it upon myself to explore analog photography until recently.

Due to the risk of theft in Venezuela's capital Caracas I chose to shoot 35mm film for the first time. From this experience I have found a new appreciation for the qualities of analog photographs.

Can pixels ever recreate the tone and colour that film is capable of rendering?

For my latest project I'm taking to medium format film cameras, I'm currently doing some research into different film types, and different camera systems.

On a serious note, there is a very real danger of me spending every penny I have on a Hasselblad.

Unseen 2016 : My Experience.

October 04, 2016

U N S E E N 2 0 1 6

To say that I feel excited about the coming year After returning from a short period working at the Unseen photo festival in Amsterdam would be an understatement.

My Role during the festival was greeting and assisting The VIP guests with any needs they may have, I gained a great insight into the inner workings of Unseen and also got to immerse myself into a community of practitioners and artists I admire greatly

Of course I found time to have a look around the festival and had a really special experience. Previously I have attended Paris photo, A powerhouse of a show, yet it did not fill me with the same fire and inspiration in relation to my own practise. From the use of space to the work itself Unseen was a tidal wave of new and emerging photographic work that both fills me with excitement and anxiety about how my practice will develop as a result.

See you 2017.

Current Projects.

September 18, 2016

V E N E Z U E L A , L A I N V I S I B L E

Today marks the start of a blog on my page where I will be updating you with current projects, writing and any news in the photography world or among my peers that I you may find of interest!

To begin I would like to invite you to check out my most recent series on Tripmag about the crisis in Venezuela.

http://tripmag.co.uk/venezuela-la-invisible/