Northern Exposure print auction
Who bought what and for how much? Top hammer price of the evening was Alex Telfer’s magnificent portrait, and Stephen Ives and Holly Miller’s landscapes did extremely well too. Many thanks to Stu Murdoch, Ian Bertram and others who donated prints, and to John A for his prestidigitation with that gavel: we’ll be in touch.
Click through to see the evening’s decisive moments, as real money changed hands. Give any of the students pictured here a £1 donation to the print fund, and they’ll show you where we keep the shock! horror! outakes.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Sophie and the Hare
Some days, everything seems to go just right, and Thursday was one of those idyllic days. I’d found a fab new (to me) theatrical outfitters, Bazaar, in Green Terrace, whose proprietor was happy to loan me an elderly Watership Down head he’d made for some extravagant production. This is one photo that won’t make the final edit, but I love it. Bet everyone can guess which photograph we were parodying, hmm?
We used a pair of Esprits, one with a softbox, and the other reflected off a silver umbrella for some bright highlights and a little more control. We did a few Bailey-style high grunge, soft focus, low key ones too, with just one reflected Esprit, against a dark background.
The pictures are for Sophie’s modelling book, and after some experience now with a variety of models, I know the industry will appreciate her adaptability, patience and gentle good humour: she made it all such a pleasure. There are a few we’ll share with the world once we’ve decided on a final cut. I can’t wait.
And rather unexpectedly, that’s two modelling portfolio shoots in as many weeks. I like doing these. Will have to see if I have the necessary endurance for the requisite retouching everyone seems to want. Both MF cameras are out of action this week, but the next model shoot will definitely be on film.
Popularity: 45% [?]
Sam Taylor Wood
People who went to see the big, extravagant, noisy, meeja-filled exhibition at the Baltic last year, will remember the self portrait with hare, and the flying photos. I’m thinking they’re part of a long established surrealist genre, and collage, too. Referencing these for a portrait portfolio series I’m shooting on Thursday will be interesting, I think.
Is it The Baltic or just Baltic? This photo was taken when The Baltic prohibited photography. I’m wondering how much of their commitment to local photography and photographers has really changed for the better? Answers in the comments, please.
And it’s been another tricky week, one way or another. Some of the photos from the Lachapelle roomset project have been developed now. Mixed results, really. More to come from Colourworld on Friday, so more news then. It’s more than stressful putting on a big production number like that, even with such capable and enthusiatic colleagues, and lots of help. Do I ever want to do it again, I wonder?
Popularity: 3% [?]