British Journal of Photography - August 2012 edition

A fascinating article in August's edition of BJP called "Sworn Virgins" about the Burrnesha.  The article describes the research by Bulgarian photographer Pepa Hristova (now living in Germany) into the men-women that live in isolated, traditional and rural communities of the mountains of north of Albania. Hristova treats the subject sympathetically stating that she was able to get the women to relax in her prescence, particularly after photographing them.  The Burrnesha are women who for one reason or another (choice, superstition, parental imposition, easier way of life) live their lives as men renouncing marriage and intimacy.  The article implies that they accept their lives, although the photos show a distinct sadness.I have recently started to think about photojournalism and documentary photography and am interested in the process of integration and getting to know the subject before the shooting begins.  The relationship between the subjects and the photographer is critical to this process and is clearly captured in Hristova's images, as is the stark reality of unlavish living conditions compared to those of western Europe.

One of the more intriguing images from Hristova's website is of Qjuste, 66, who started living as a man following a divorce.  This meant that she was able to achieve a much better standard of living than she would have done as a single woman.  The composition of the photograph is interesting, as there is in fact a triangle formed by the three points of the subject, the flower vase and the bird on the wall, and the monotony orif the wall is broken by the curtain on the left (adding texture) and the bird on the right.  In addition, the colours of the image are harmonius, with a simple colour spectrum of black, dark red, shades of brown and pink.  The expression on Qjuste's face is one of acknowledgement but also of resignation.

See http://www.pepahristova.com/sworn-virgins/27/ for the image in question, also included below:

Sworn Virgin (27) (c) Pepa Hristova

For further details and the images in this portfolio, see Hristova's website http://www.pepahristova.com/sworn-virgins/info/

Lioness and crocodile

The Metro newspaper ran an incredible story this week about a lioness fighting a crocodile in Botswanna's Okavango Delta so that her cubs could cross the river safely.  The image was shot by Ms Dierickx, 48, from Antwerp, Belgium and published in the paper on 24 July 2012. The lioness escaped a crocodile roll because she kept the crocodile's mouth closed with her front legs.  Apart from the fact that this is an amazing act of courage by the lioness this is also an incredible image.  This was one of three photos taken in one second and is beautifully composed with excellent clarity, frozen water and perfect tones and hues, with the colours of the landscape reflected in the animals.

Wish I'd taken this!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/906164-lioness-battles-deadly-crocodile-to-clear-the-way-for-her-family-to-cross

Lioness and Crocodile (c) Ms Dierickx

Olympic flame

Got my days in a muddle and as usual no camera....thank god for iPads! Here is the Olympic flame making its way towards the Museum of London.

Olympic rhythm

Following the exercise in part 2 of TAOP - here is some Olympic waltzing bunting in the garden on King Edward St in London.

Red and blue

Red and blue funnels near my office on London Wall in London earmarked for future shooting for part 3 of TAOP. The challenge will be to find an interesting angle and composition!

Red moon

Again - crossing over Waterloo bridge on the way home - a red moon hanging over London...you can guarantee it won't be there the evening I come up with my camera and Tripod!

Jumbo photo outside Hayward Gallery

But the jumbo is not in the right place...I tried to find out the details of the image but so far no luck. Anyway, it made me laugh!

South Bank

All lit up in time for Olympics complete with fire garden - this is exactly why I need a new pocket camera! I definitely want to photograph the Baobab Tree outside the Hayward Gallery. As I will be walking to and from Waterloo to work over the Olympics, I will carry my Nikon D5000 with me and practise some street photography - especially as the light always seems to be good during summer commuter time!

Look at this amazing sky!

And unfortunately only an iPad available...and the m6 as a backdrop

Photography Monthly - August 2012 Edition

I love this image printed in this month's PM - The Harvest Mouse - Living the High Life by Carla Regler. I like the composition with the mouse in the top left corner, the simple colour scheme, the rim lighting around the edge of the mouse's body and tail, and the structure of the stems with one at a diagonal. And I really like the shape of the mouse's body! It is a minimalistic but very effective image, and of course very very very sweet :-)

To see the image go to http://www.seadriftimages.co.uk/portfolio/portfolio_1

Living the Highlife (c) Carla Regler

More of Carla's images can be found on her website SeaDrift Images

Art in the street

Giant pigeon spotted outside the BT office in Newgate St EC1 - I like the red and grey together!

Haberdashers' Hall

Need to return here with my camera!