A strange influence is coming over me....

Wren - Enderby

I am being drawn to produce monochrome photographs of birds. The style is reminiscent of Nick Brandt - not sure why that is but I do love his work. I have been experimenting with different breeds of birds and, to date, it would seem that birds with a predominance of red does not work well - so robins are out. Perhaps it is a reaction to the strictures of the RPS Nature group? I really don't know but I like where it is taking me.

Nick Brandt's A Shadow Falls

My copy arrived to day and I must say the book is breath taking. I mentioned last week that I found the large scale of the prints in the exhibition off putting and now have received my copy of '...A Shadow Falls...' I feel this even more. The reproduction is first rate and I find the intimacy of the book adds to the power of the work. I guess the very large prints were just too big. I cannot imagine where you would put such prints unless you had a large space to fill - and then you would loose the intimacy of the work. Any way a wonderful book well worth the asking price.

London baby yeah...

So I am off to London tomorrow for a mooch around the galleries, make a few images and generally have a good time. Originally it was planned to be a training day with the RPS at Kew Gardens. However, this was cancelled and as the train tickets were non refundable I could either take a hit on the train fare or have a day in London. Needless to say I choose the latter.

So what is the plan of action? Well two exhibitions I am definitely going to see are:

The MA Photojournalist show at the University of Westminster;

The second is going to be a real pleasure. Nick Brandt's new exhibition of east African wildlife at the Atlas Gallery. I have been a huge fan of Brandt's work for a while now. He produces sublime wildlife photographs that are master pieces. If ever get the chance to see his work you will know what I mean (click on the link to the Atlas gallery and you will get a wonderful taste of Brandt's work).

After this I intend to go over the National Gallery and spend some time working on my research project about wildlife photography. Now it might seem strange to go to a gallery full of paintings when I am interested in researching a photographic topic. I am interested in seeing how fauna was depicted before the advent of photography. I spent some time doing this at Wolverhampton art gallery last week and the results were fascinating.

After this? Well I hope to get down to Tate Modern. I have never been there and it is somewhere I have really wanted to visit.

Well that seems like a plan. I can guarantee I won't stick to it.

What an amazing book

What a joy awaited me when I got up this morning.  The post van had already delivered what is turning out to be one of the best books I have ever bought, let alone read/seen.   On This Earth: Photographs from East Africa by Nick Brandt has some of the most original photographs of east African animals I have ever seen.  His approach would appear to be centred on an exploration of the animals as individuals rather than simple record of the creatures.  His photographs are all in black and white, all though I suspect they were taken with infra red film, and let you feel the power and the simple elegance of the creature.  The photograph of the elephant on the cover is a powerful example of Brandt's.   The broader landscape examination of the hippos in the river also shows off Brandt's style.  Here we see the hippos within their broader contexts.  They seem to compliment the photograph rather than dominate it.

Usually with wild life photography colour predominates yet Brandt's approach is both refreshing and inspirational.   Gone are the portraits taken in the heat of the day.  It has none of the harsh shadows and blinding light that can plague this type of photography.  Brandt's style is sympathetic as it is stylish.  You feel the magnificence of the creatures rather than the power of the technique and equipment used.  All in all a really good way to start the day.