Zarias Photography Critique [video podcast] Well worth the time to watch these. Even if you aren't aiming to sell your pictures, which is an assumption here, there is still some great advice. [thanks Iain]
I don't usually write posts about fellow flickr users but something really caught me with Anatoly Zenkov's work. I'm not a fan of overly photoshopped work (it has it's place but it's just a tool) but this selection shows of processing and manipulating techniques, starting from good photography as a base and working on it in Processing / Flash / Java.
Persistent pyramids (via Anatoly Zenkov) "Persistent Pyramids was made with flash application that I made specially for this project."
Chocolate Factory (via Anatoly Zenkov) "That's it! First step in processing."
Mouse pointer track (via Anatoly Zenkov) "Mouse pointer track after 3 hours of working in Photoshop. Black circles are pointer stops (not clicks)." Jave applet code for the click tracker is in the comments. [originally found via grom]
Reblogged with permission. Click through to see the original flickr pages and the rest of the stream. Go on, show some love.
:: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 :: Stop and Search and Stop
European court condemns police misuse of stop and search The Guardian reports on "Officers using Terrorism Act against citizens on 'a hunch' means serious risk of discrimination, say judges" "The home secretary, Alan Johnson, appears to be in serious trouble over a ruling today by the European court of human rights against the unlawful police use of counter-terrorism stop and search powers on peace protesters and photographers."
Mr Free As In Freedom and all round, umm, interesting guy Richard Stallman doesn’t like bull shit. If you ever need something to be angry about you can find a useful summary in his notes archives. To quote some recent examples that caught my attention:
8 December 2009 (Abuse of anti-terrorist laws acknowledged by UK cops) UK police officials told police to stop threatening photographers using "anti-terror" laws. Ending this one abuse of these unjust laws does not make them acceptable. Some of these laws make it a crime to be suspected, and others are handy for sabotaging protests of any kind. It is not enough for the authorities to be refrain from trampling the rights of people in one activity. The UK must explicitly restore human rights.
The UK police must also pass an "attitude" of their own: to respect people's rights instead of trying to intimidate people out of them. Do they still pressure pubs to set up cameras and let the police view the footage whenever they wish? It should be illegal for anyone to show security camera footage to the police without a court order.
8 December 2009 (Recording industry masters creative accounting) A musician tells how his record company habitually lies to him about income even though it would not have to pay the band any money for many years. http://www.toomuchjoy.com/?p=1397
6 December 2009 (Some very creepy politics) Rom Houben, who has been in a coma for 23 years, is said to be conscious and able to communicate. But is it really he who is communicating?
6 December 2009 (Terrorists kill dozens in Russia) Why it's a pointless annoyance to check train passengers' luggage for bombs.
4 December 2009 (Poster boy for torturers) After the Bush regime's monsters tortured Abu Zubaydah, and took photos of his injuries, they showed the photos to other prisoners threatening to torture them the same way.
2 December 2009 (Paranoia reigns amongst London cops) A BBC photographer was stopped by police from taking a photo of a cathedral in London.
:: Saturday, December 05, 2009 :: Art for Amnesty & Co. Auction
"The Bristol Group of Amnesty International is proud to be hosting an art auction to to raise funds and awareness for Amnesty International, notably human rights day coming up on 10th December, and also local projects right here in Bristol. The projects involved in the auction are The Studio Upstairs, The Rainbow Centre and Bristol Refugee Rights (see below for more details). Human rights day celebrates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and this year is focusing on ‘embracing diversity and ending discrimination’.
"The auction is to take place at the WATERSHED Media Centre, right in the centre of Bristol, on Saturday 5th December. The conference rooms will be open from 2pm, where people can view all of the artwork up for auction, and the event itself will start at 5pm. All of the artwork is being donated for free so all profits will go into the fundraising pot!
"The auctioneer for the night is Ed Rising from Sotheby’s! With such an accomplished professional at the reigns the auction is bound to be well run and raise as much as possible for charity."
A specially printed 8 by 20 inch canvas of my “Don’t Jump” shot is in the auction, along with works from other locals like Derren Brown...
...Mark Simmons...
...Banksy (obviously), Portishead, Bill Bailey etc. etc.
Z-DAY from Peter Thomas on Vimeo. "In late October 2009 a meteor crashed into St Werberghs, Bristol U.K. While the initial damage was contained efficiently and promptly by the authorities, Solanum-based particles from the meteor quickly spread on the wind, infecting many of the local population and causing a class-2 zombie infestation/outbreak. Within hours, the walking dead had descended on Broadmead Shopping Centre in search of meat and brains... Few survived and many souls were lost that day, however a blood-stained video tape from a local underground film-maker was recovered from the wreckage... Following a press black-out, this film documents the fateful event (dubbed "Z-Day" by locals), and provides a rare and privileged insight into a full-scale zombie attack on a densly populated urban area."
Flavorwire » Blog Archive » DJ /rupture’s Favorite Cities and Songs "Bristol is amazing, and it’s especially amazing for all sorts of different types of bass music. For a track, it’s hard to say, because there’s so much dub, dubstep, UK garage, reggae, as well… all this stuff coming out of Bristol. But my favorite spot in Bristol, I think it’s a Sunday night party, is at this place called Cosies."
Scanned from You and Your Camera magazine. I have a folder of the complete Vol 3, issues 31 to 45, that I am happy to give to any welcoming home. Drop me a mail if you'd like it.
:: Saturday, October 17, 2009 :: Taryn Simon photographs secret sites
"Taryn Simon exhibits her startling take on photography -- to reveal worlds and people we would never see otherwise. She shares two projects: one documents otherworldly locations typically kept secret from the public, the other involves haunting portraits of men convicted for crimes they did not commit."
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to remove new restrictions on photography in public places.”
Details of Petition:
“On the 16th of February, the Government passed a law (in the Counter Terrorism Act) making it illegal to take a photograph of a police office, military personnel or member of the intelligence services - or a photograph which “may be of use for terrorism”. This definition is vague at best, and open to interpretation by the police - who under Home Secretary guidelines can “restrict photography in public places”. We call for these vague restrictions to be lifted, as they can easily be mis-used by the police.”
The Government’s response
"On 16 February 2009, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (Commencement No.2) Order 2009 brought in to force section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000 (inserted by section 76 of the CTA 2008), offences relating to information about members of the armed forces etc.
"Section 58A makes it an offence to publish, communicate, elicit or attempt to elicit information about any of such persons which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Contrary to some media and public misconception, section 58A does not make it illegal to photograph a police officer, military personnel or member of the intelligence services.
"On the 18 August 2009, the Home Office published the following information via its website to clarify photography in relation to section 58A.
Photography and Section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000
"The offence concerns information about persons who are or have been at the front line of counter-terrorism operations, namely the police, the armed forces and members of the security and intelligence agencies.
"An officer making an arrest under section 58A must reasonably suspect that the information is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. An example might be gathering information about the person’s house, car, routes to work and other movements.
Reasonable excuse under section 58A
"It is a statutory defence for a person to prove that they had a reasonable excuse for eliciting, publishing or communicating the relevant information. Legitimate journalistic activity (such as covering a demonstration for a newspaper) is likely to constitute such an excuse. Similarly, an innocent tourist or other sight-seer taking a photograph of a police officer is likely to have a reasonable excuse."
Well, nice to clear that up. Repeated, with my emphasis: "Legitimate journalistic activity (such as covering a demonstration for a newspaper) is likely to constitute such an excuse. Similarly, an innocent tourist or other sight-seer taking a photograph of a police officer is likely to have a reasonable excuse."
To my reading this clarification is still not within the spirit of the law.
There's an offensive joke in there about one country/area banning imagines of beautiful women from another country/area to to protect women from 'false' images of female beauty. Substitute place names at your discretion.
The Second Look group exhibition 'Red' is showing in Photographique on Baldwin St, Bristol, until Wed 16.09.09. Go along to see this set of my red themed shots.
The 'Bristol: A Second Look 2009' competition entries are also on display in there until the 30th. You can vote (for mine ;-) in the shop or online now. This is my entry:
Polaroid is transforming itself from an analog Instant Film Production Company to a global Consumer Electronics and Digital Imaging company.
Production of analog Instant Film stopped in June 2008, closing the factories in Mexico (Instant Packfilm production) and the Netherlands (Instant Integral production).
Impossible b.v. has been founded with the concrete aim to re-invent and re-start production of analog INTEGRAL FILM for vintage Polaroid cameras.
Therefore Impossible b.v. has acquired the complete film production equipment in Enschede (NL) from Polaroid, has signed a 10-year lease agreement on the factory building; and has engaged the most experienced team of Integral Film experts worldwide.
The Impossible mission is NOT to re-build Polaroid Integral film but (with the help of strategic partners) to develop a new product with new characteristics, consisting of new optimised components, produced with a streamlined modern setup. An innovative and fresh analog material, sold under a new brand name that perfectly will match the global re-positioning of Integral Films.
————
"Due to your incredible support regarding the 5th of our 7 big challenges (the latex timing layer), the team could produce the very first complete and stable instant picture a few weeks ago - a round of applause everybody!!
That is to say that development is making really good progress at the moment, we’re ahead of the original production timeline and have not found any unsolvable roadblocks ahead."
Fine Waters: Comprehensive Resource of Bottled Water of the World Etiquette for Drinking Temperature: "Serving all waters at the same temperature, let’s say 55 degrees Fahrenheit, will nicely show their differences. A slight increase in temperature will have a calming effect on waters with larger, louder bubbles. In general, the colder the water, the more focused it will be.Water can be served at almost any temperature, but knowing how to manipulate temperature will allow you to better pair the waters with food and establish a true epicurean dialogue." Or you could serve it ice cold and some people like to serve it at 100 degrees C with an infusion of leaves. [thanks Jules]
Lifetracks 03 : Antoni Maiovvi "For the next installment of Lifetracks, we sent the call out to our man in Berlin, the infamous italo maestro Antoni Maoivvi. Maiovvi has been busy spreading the synth l'amour across Europe and beyond, with second album Shadow Of the Bloodstained Kiss due for release on August 3, an imaginary soundtrack to a long-lost 80s giallo."
Pete says: "Hi all, Just got back from a rainy holiday, but while I was away a new Skip to the End appeared. This one is the result of radio interference/collaboration with London based podcast Radio Clash (http://www.mutantpop.net/radioclash/). Basically every 15mins of either podcast skips over to the other show. Therefore to hear the whole 60mins of Skip to the End you'll have to download my podcast from the usual www.thejuxtaposition.co.uk/skiptotheend.html and the Radio Clash podcast from http://www.mutantpop.net/radioclash/page/2/ Confused? You will be... I was going to draw you a diagram, but maybe Tim explains it better on his page. Probably better to just listen to the music and not worry about where it comes from. It was fun in the making and thanks to Tim for such excellent contributions, I know who got the better deal. Next show at the end of August will be the 2nd anniversary show, Still shit to the end. Pete"
"Dilip Krishnan and Rob Fergus at New York University created the camera in an attempt to do away with intrusive regular flashes.
"To make their "dark flash" camera, they modified a flashbulb to emit light over a wider range of frequencies and filter out visible light. The pair also had to remove the filters that usually prevent a camera's silicon image sensor detecting IR and UV rays.
"Although the dark flash gives a crisp image without disturbing those in the picture, the results have an odd colour balance that looks like a view through a night-vision scope.
"To give the pictures more normal hues, Krishnan and Fergus used colour information from a brief, flash-free photograph of the same scene taken quickly after the dark flash image.
"The second image is dim and blurry, and so it lacks some of the fine detail of its dark flash twin. However, the researchers use software to combine the sharp detail from the first image with the natural colours from the second image, resulting in a remarkably natural end result.
"The results are similar to those achieved by using a long exposure without a flash, like this image. But a long exposure shot requires those in the image to remain still for a few seconds to avoid creating motion blurs. The dark flash technique uses short exposure times that prevent those problems."
This is a very useful looking tool. On the one hand it would be great for low light shots of easily disturbed subjects, such as pets or kids. On the other it would be a gift to the stalker / paparazzi contingent, eager to get shots of people with minimum intervention.
Imagine the day when this is standard on digital compacts / camera phones and anyone could be taking photos anywhere. A market would open up in ways to combat the intrusion. Perhaps with some form of personal alarm to the combined presence of IR & UV (as both are common enough individually) in the absence of natural light.
Some dyes used in clothing glow in UV so could the same technique be applied? Maybe with jewellery, a ring or bracelet or watch strap, that glows in IR & UV but is too dim to be seen in natural light. If you catch a glimpse of a flash from it when you're out in a club you know someone must have a stalker cam near by. Check your drink.
You can find some inspiration from other Second Look members, along with the above shot of mine. It's from my new charity shop find panoramic camera. 2 quid with a 6 year out of date black & white film sellotaped to it! Here's some more shots from it around St Austell and Charlestown:
Hardly a surprise when you have so many teenage actors in the spotlight, but what's shocking about this story is this line:
"The court heard police found shots of the plants on Mr Waylett's camera after he was arrested for taking a picture of officers [my emphasis] as he and a friend drove past."
"At the heart of the present controversy is the question of when behaviour becomes suspicious. Advice we have received suggests that the police may arrest an individual under PACE s.1 or the Terrorism Act s.44 where they have reasonable suspicion that an illegal act is being carried out.
"In other words, photography on its own is not suspicious behaviour: police suspicions need to be grounded in other evidence, and it is not reasonable to throw a blanket suspicion over the activities of all photographers.
"Yet here is the Met guidance in respect of s.44: "Officers have the power to view digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras... provided that the viewing is to determine whether the images... are of a kind, which could be used in connection with terrorism."
"Not quite. The Met guidelines make no mention of reasonable suspicion: in effect, they duck the single issue that is at the heart of so much grief."
:: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 :: I can't believe we left it so long
Heya! It's been some time. I know I may have thrown you the odd scrap of music now and again but that old spark, it just hasn't been there lately has it. I know you have other places to hang out. I hope you understand what a death in the family has done here. But it's great to meet up again, have a drink, chew that fat, catch up on what we would have been chatting shit about if other events hadn't conspired against us.
Did I tell you I attended the BLDGBLOG book launch last week?
[v.o.g.: You mentioned you were going]
Ah, well, I did. And not only did I get a great book out of it, not only did I meet with and chat with Geoff Manaugh, whose a really inspiring guy, not only is there a photo floating around flickr of me sat at the same table as Warren Ellis (I didn't realise that at the time, I was distracted by the woman with him), but I've also come away with some blog based inspiration.
In the introduction to the book Geoff explains that when he started BLDGBLOG he decided that he wasn't going to pour concerns and negativity into it, it would just be for stuff that interested him. Things that made him think, gave him ideas, starting points for flights of fancy. I like that philosophy. I may try to take it on to some degree.
Its good to know that The American President is an Ass Man, Apparently "But seriously, is this not one of the best presidential photographs of all-time? Even Sarkozy looks like he's sneaking a peek, though he's French, so we expect him to do it. However, in Obama's defense, that is a great ass!"
"Solicitors for the National Portrait Gallery are apparently threatening legal action against a US Wikipedia user for downloading 3,300 digital photographs of paintings in the UK museum's collection, and then uploading them to Wikipedia." [via clayton cubitt]
"Patti Smith is one of the most anticipated gigs of the week, and the audience the most vocal. … joined by SMZ leader Efrim Menuck on drums and Portishead’s Adrian Utley, who attacks a guitar with a paintbrush to spooky effect." Festival review: Ornette Coleman’s Meltdown, Southbank Centre, London SE1 | Music | The Observer I mentioned this to Leafcutter John, wondering if he was aware Ade was at the Polar Bear gig where John had used the same paintbrush trick a few months back. His response was a spirited "Ah, but did he do it better?"
Open Source TIC - ePetition response | Number10.gov.uk "The Government supports the principle that, where new software is being developed by the Timely Information to Citizens pilots, this should wherever possible be released under open source licence and available for use by other local authorities. ... Where the pilots will result in new software tools, ownership and intellectual property rights will usually remain with the individual local authorities" Is this not a contradiction?
Stuff you've missed on the tumblr * a whole bunch of new photographers discoveries * shoes by architects * a bunch of LEGO stuff inc jewellery, USB sticks and giant Star Wars models * London Underground Map print dress * Geek guide to shoe lacing * The Battleships drinking game
I've also just discovered that Blogger is limited to 20 tags per post.
Video release. This is a quick 10 min version of the 45min Databent UrbEx live set I played at Bash Out at the Black Swan, Bristol on 20th June 2009.
All photographs and image & audio manipulation by Dan Gusset. Cover image courtesy of Lisa Furness
Source audio: Field recording of metal roof in the sun by Nick Adamson, MC Prof C and MC Doc G from Radio 4, Floreo De Lamas by Guamary, The Collier's Rant by Bob Davenport, Rubik's Cube: 10.56 seconds, Grow Grow Grow by PJ Harvey @ 33RPM, The Training of O, Mothers Talk by Tears For Fears @ 17RPM, White Chalk by PJ Harvey @ 33RPM.
:: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 :: The Bash Out Lectures with Dan Gusset and Friends
main room: jungle & multi core
the outside agency [aka dj hidden and eye-d - live bristol debut]
twinhooker & paulie walnuts [mad dem sound usa: soldiers in the streets tour]
duranduranduran [cock rock disco, planet mu - live birthday set!]
ely muff [headfuk/deathchant - live]
boep [aka schemeboy vs randomoidz - adverse camber]
bashout allstars [resident badmen]
upstairs: staggering bass abuse
rogue state ft. mc deadman [r8 recordings - bristol debut]
lief ryan [growth recordings - bristol debut]
noyeahno [rag’n’bone]
big d’s dancehall clearout
diode [aka el kano vs magimix - adverse camber]
davey t [dissident]
back room: the bashout lectures
dan gusset and friends
dubboy vs beavis inna rootstyle
& more tbc...
sat 20 june 2009 black swan, bristol 10 til 5, £8 b4 11, £9 after... tickets: £6 [plus booking fee]
The Bash Out Lectures with Dan Gusset and Friends
Dan Pope (aka Gusset) will be presenting an A/V performance of data bent versions of his urban exploring photos alongside a live drone/glitch soundtrack in room three of Bash Out at the Black Swan, Bristol on Sat 20th June (10pm – 6am).
Data bent images are intentionally corrupted digital images where the files have bits altered, cut around, have channels moved or filtered, and are otherwise bastardised to cause all forms of distortions and bizarre effects. Often the results are disappointing fields of black or images that refuse to open at all but persistence and luck can lead to intriguing results.
Like it's close relative circuit bending, where any electronic sound making device, usually a cheap children's toy, is dismantled and its circuitry randomly rewired, it's something that anyone can try. It may just be noise with occasional recognisable hints of what it once was, but there is a beauty to be found in there either by close study or by allowing it to wash over you.
Among the friends Dan has filled the rest of the line-up with will be a Dub Boy & Beavis - Inna Rootstyle, films from public space hijacker and Occasional Cinema organiser Badoni, and beatless soundscapes from Freq.
Mrs P and I both took part in the Second Look Photo Marathon two weeks ago. 110 disposable cameras spent a Saturday out hunting for a shots of: 1 Your Entry Number 2 Steps 3 Circles 4 Reflection 5 Sign Of The Times 7 Layers 8 Closed 9 Rainbow 10 X Marks The Spot 11-20 Bristol Today
These are our circles shots, Amanda's top, mine bottom.
There's a review of the event over on Suit Yourself. I'll just say that its great fun and great exercise! There's another event planned for the autumn.
My post about Barrow below shows how many Urban Exploring websites there are out there. That was just examples of people/groups who had visited one site in the UK.
Thanks to Seth for this US based link, Infiltration, which is HDR heavy and doesn't feature light painting work than most of the US sites I was previously aware of.
I've decided what I'm doing for my set at the Bashout Lectures (Black Swan, 20th June). I'm presenting data bent versions of my urban exploring photos and providing a live drone soundtrack. I've been inspired by the brilliant stAllio, who I've been following since I found his Mash Smarter Not Harder mash-up.
I was looking for examples of the break taking underwater photography of "the photographer known simply as Candice" - don't try Google Imaging Searching that - of fresh2o. Her name is actually Candice Campbell.
This shot of Louise Watts is the one that intrigued me when I spotted it in the Times.
"fresh2o is a dramatic initiative, designed to raise awareness of this incredible challenge to humanity. Innovative photographer Candice, a pioneer of the underwater portrait, has devised an incredibly impactful series of images using celebrity icons with a global presence. These extraordinary portraits are designed to connect, engage and motivate consumers worldwide, alerting the globe to the fresh water crisis."
"Each month, hotels and motels provide Clean the World Foundation with their discarded soap and shampoo products. These slightly-used products often end up in already overflowing landfills and can potentially contaminate fragile groundwater systems. Once collected, these products are repurposed using environmentally-friendly and hygienically-safe recycling efforts and distributed worlwide."
It was also pointed out to me, after making my cardboard pinhole camera from Magma, that Urban Outfitters also sale them, although not the same model. They have a nice range of Lomos and related goodies too.
But somehow it rankles with me how stylishly it's all dressed up.
:: Saturday, May 23, 2009 :: Five go mad in Barrow
A couple of weeks ago five Second Look photography group members decided to spend our Saturday afternoon poking around the former Barrow Gurney Mental Hospital on the outskirts of Bristol. It was shut down in 2006 after being declared the dirtiest hospital in the UK. One of our number gave us a quick Health & Safety briefing as we trudged out way there, "Don't lick anything," he said. That was it.
The site is partially demolished and is guarded by a very big dog. And there's asbestos around. And lots of broken glass and unsafe floors. Don't go there unless you're stupid.
We've got some great shots and as a bonus a female passenger in a passing car flashed her breasts at us as we made our way back to civilisation. All in all it was a fairly surreal afternoon.