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Robert Pledge's exhibition CONTACT/S, hosted most recently at Nordic Light, is monumental.

One would not expect anything less - the show, the layout, photographs from the building of the Berlin Wall to the falling of the Twin Towers, there's nothing to be done but really see, remember, hold photographers in awe and, if you're like me, let the tears run. Perhaps the one uplifting series was the gorilla who rescued a little boy who fell over the railings at the Chicago zoo showing us the humanity we can't see in most of the rest of the photographs. Even the first second of the new millennium, shot in Times Square, is full of Guiliani's disturbing mug.

And of course, the contact sheet is disappearing fast.

Leaving the show, I felt John Botte's interview deserved another airing.

John Botte: The 9/11 Photographs from In The Loupe on Vimeo.


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Every event is a highlight here at Nordic Light International Festival of Photography in Kristiansund. I feel fortunate to be spending real time with the people who have influenced me and who most likely influence you.  

Robert Pledge, ever-delightful founder and president of Contact Press Images, has mounted a show of contact sheets with the prints of the images that were selected from them. Seen all together, the show is incredibly moving and Robert followed up with a presentation of some 300 images he curated showing events from the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 through to September 11th, 2001. I had not seen Annie Leibovitz' images from the Tutsi massacre before.


It was a real treat to go through the show with Robert who, as you can see, has not lost a jot of enthusiasm in the 35 years he's been running Contact.

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There's just so much good stuff going on here, including James Mollison's 'Where Children Sleep'; an Abe Frajndlich restrospective; sweet and delightful Bruce Davidson's 'American Photographs'; a selection from Mary Ellen Mark; Bjorn Opshal is my new friend-to-take-the-piss-out-of who is a great photographer with no formal training; and a wonderful new discovery for me - Annelise Kirsebom, an 82 year old woman who took up photography late in life but whose scenes might as well have been taken when she was in her 30s (and for whom I can't find a decent link.)

I'm completely blown away by Stuart Franklin but I'll address that separately.

I love this idea of having the students create a pop-up gallery by wearing their best image on a T shirt.

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Here's me having a sneaky fag with the inimitable (the word was invented for him) British attorney Rupert Grey. Since I always thought I might have been a lawyer if only I was inclined to study hard, I enjoy talking rights and cases with Rupert and this is the first time we've met face-to-face in the twenty years we've known each other.

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We're not done yet and tonight we'll be treated to a conversation with Mary Ellen Mark. Tomorrow I have four hours of portfolio reviews and I can't count how many photographers have come up to me and told me how nervous they are. I don't know why... 

Poor photos © Julie Grahame

Vivien_Goldman_Class.jpgThe Punk Professor, aka Vivien Goldman, is announcing a short new course open to all interested parties, with credit applicable to any of your studies. 'The Roots of Electronic Dance Music' is The Professor's first Electro Pop course. Seats are limited but there's still time to apply.  

For more info, visit the site or Tweet @PunkProfessor.

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A new, online-only photography course has just launched and I have 10 exclusive discount coupons available!

Foto-classes was started by a group of world-class photographers who believe that it's the photographer not the camera that takes stunning pictures, that anyone can take great photos and become a great photographer, and that learning photography should be easy, fun and affordable.

The course is designed to help break down the barriers that prevent you from taking great photos. By removing the technical obstacles one by one, you will be on your way to being a better photographer. Using three key teaching pillars focused on learning, practicing, and receiving professional feedback, foto-classes aims to set itself apart with the emphasis on interactive education.

The course consists of 5 online classes and 2 one-on-one live reviews with a dedicated tutor.

If the class sounds like something you or a friend would benefit from, sign up soon using discount code ACURATORFRIENDS at checkout and you will get the $399 course for just $299.

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L to R: Photographers Roberta Parkin, Nicky J Sims, Tabatha Fireman, Curator Dede Millar, Photographer Henrietta Butler © Barbara Doux

From Lady Day to Lady Gaga... The opening night of She Bop A Lula was a huge success. At  Proud's Strand Gallery in central London, the exhibition includes over 60 photographs for sale at £200 of the most influential female recording artists of the past six decades, by female photographers. All proceeds go to Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity.

Running through April 1st, please support the cause, spread the word, buy yourself a photograph of a recording artist you love!

More press:
The Guardian
The Independent
Time Out

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Visitors check out photos of Millie, Nico, Sandie Shaw, Ari Up and Annie Lennox © Barbara Doux

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Overview featuring the back of the legendary jazz photographer David Redfern © Barbara Doux

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Poly Styrene's daughter Celeste Bell in front of some of her Mum's artwork © Barbara Doux

nopa.jpgI'm super duper honored and excited to be the juror for a new exhibition by the New Orleans Photo Alliance.

"Photography, in fact vision itself, is not possible without light. No surprise, then, that light often becomes the subject of photography itself. The play of light and shadow defines an an object, tells us what time of day it is or creates a mood. Please submit photographs in which you explore the meaning of light, its visual, sensual or emotional qualities."

Call for entries is out now and you have until January 16th to submit images that fulfill the spec. Plus, you get to use the brilliantly-named Entry Thingy to upload your submission. I look forward to seeing your work.

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© Zackary Canepari

This is a great idea: you chose a photo, buy a print and get to decide which of the signed-up charities your money goes to. Charity gets 50%, photographer gets 25%, The Nuru Project runs the business off the 25% they keep. There's a "back story" accompanying each photograph, which you receive in print if you buy, so you can connect a little with the photographer or at least hear her thoughts (I trust they will be adding more women in the coming year.)

Prints start at $50 and you have time to browse and order before the holidays.

Do the right thing this year: support a charity, and shop at your local small businesses.

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 © Rodney Dekker

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© Kirk Mastin

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© Christian Bobst / all images courtesy of Nuru

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Police Athletic League Boxing

The fortunate folk at VandM have partnered with the Museum of the City of New York on exclusive, editioned prints selected from Stanley Kubrick's wonderful negatives archive. Shooting for Look Magazine from 1945 - 1950, when he left to pursue film-making, Kubrick produced a bunch of stellar stills.

Available to the public for the first time, at $250 for an 11x14, you might be able to treat yourself. 

The majority of the proceeds go to the Museum.

All photographs by Stanley Kubrick, courtesy of VandM, where you'll find lots more info.


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There are now several examples of the bigflannel Portfolio template live online. Sharing some of those here. I encourage photographers to keep this in mind for a new, highly affordable main portfolio site, or for book projects, personal work or other series that you might want to profile under a separate portfolio to your main website.


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Pete-Townshend-Baron_Wolman.jpgAt this year's Classic Rock Magazine annual award ceremony for contribution to the rock music industry, my great friend and colleague Baron Wolman was given a VIP Award. This was the first time it had been given to a photographer. When we last spoke, he hadn't decided on his acceptance speech but by that night he'd nailed it: According to Dave Brolan, Baron said he couldn't understand how Pete Townshend could smash his guitar, but saw how great he looked and that he's always wanted to do it. So he threw a camera onto the stage and it smashed... the place went wild, Pete came over and said "Well done!" and that he'd always liked his photos. They hugged & posed for pictures.  This is how rock history is made!

IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS the premium editions of Baron's book are running low. Go get one now and make someone's Christmas.

Pete Townshend © Baron Wolman

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