Martin Parr No Worries - Foto Freo Opens tomorrow

My profile story on Martin Parr and the Foto Freo project, No Worries, is the cover story for the March issue of Pro Photo magazine. Foto Freo opens tomorrow in Fremantle and Martin will officiate. Check out the Foto Freo Program. Another fantastic amalgam of photography from around the world. Hats off to Bob Hewitt and his team, for without their passion and hard work this important photographic festival would not happen.

Dominic Nahr's powerful photo essay on the mass protests in Cairo

"On January 27th, 2011, Dominic Nahr began documenting mass protests in Cairo that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak and ignited similar struggles throughout the middle east. This multimedia photo essay combines many unpublished images by Nahr woven with audio he recorded from Tahrir Square. Dominic Nahr was commisioned by TIME to do this reportage." (Magnum Photos). Please take the 3 minutes and 37 seconds to view this powerful photo essay at Dominic Nahr Photo Essay Cairo 2011

To go or not to go? The dilemma facing conflict journalists in 2012

Today's New York Times article "Conflict Reporting in the Post-Embed Era" by Stephen Farrell is a sobering reminder of the perils of covering conflict zones such as Syria where the media is clearly a target and journalists and photographers put their lives on the line to give voice to those suppressed and marginalized. Having interviewed numerous conflict photojournalists over the years I have heard many stories about close calls and injuries, both emotional and physical, and the toll this profession takes on the lives of these dedicated reporters. Please take the time to read this article in its entirety At War

Foto Freo 2012: Divergence: Photographs from Elsewhere

Foto Freo is now only three weeks away opening 16th March. A definite highlight is Divergence: Photographs from Elsewhere featuring works by “many of the world’s most innovative photographers and photojournalists from Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, UK and the USA." On at the Midland Atelier, Divergence comprises exhibitions, site specific installations, projections, workshops and artist floor talks. If you haven’t checked out the programme yet please visit Foto Freo.

The Future of Photojournalism - the debate continues

Dan Chung, who made his name primarily shooting for The Guardian newspaper in the UK says he doesn't see a future for photojournalism in its current form. Check out his interview with Digital Photography Review .

What do you think of his comments?

Foto Freo 2012 - Photography Workshops

 

Documentary photographer Claire Martin and Sam Harris will run a five day workshop for up to 12 people as part of the Foto Freo Fringe Program. Claire's exhibition, Slab City, featured in my 2010 profile on the Festival - her work is extraordinary. This is a great opportunity. Check it out at Harris Martin Workshops

Foto Freo 2012 Core Programme

Foto Freo is on again. This international biennial photography festival held in the port city of Fremantle in Perth, Western Australia is definitely worth making the trip for. This year's core programme features a diverse range of photographers from around the world including Magnum Photos Martin Parr, and Australians Tim Page, Brad Rimmer, Max Pam and Jack Picone.

Check out the website for details Foto Freo Core Exhibitions 2012

New blog name

2012 sees AST Loves Life change name to Photojournalism Now. The new title reflects the direction I have moved in terms of my profile feature writing. It also addresses a topic that I am extremely interested in - the impact of digital media on the profession of photojournalism. My intention is to share information, articles, blogs and other links on the topic. I invite you to follow Photojournalism Now; let's see where this conversation leads to...

Chasing a Dream

I am in the process of writing a review on Australian photographer Carla Coulson's new book Chasing a Dream. I wrote a feature on Carla back in 2009 - Carla is an Australian photographer now living in Paris, a woman who turned her life on its head, shook it hard to see what would fall out and....you can read her story on my website at Reality Illusion Carla Coulson.

Michael Coyne story now on website

My Pro Photo feature on Michael Coyne is now available on my website Reality Illusion. New articles coming up on Martin Parr, Maggie Diaz and a review of Carla Coulson's new book, Chasing A Dream (a book I loved the moment I opened it).

Why newspapers are closing the shutters on staff photographers

Check out the above story at The Guardian - more commentary in the debate around citizen journalism and the move by media owners toward unpaid, amateur images (and text). Media owners claim by engaging (not working) with citizen journalists, the papers are better representing the public. Others surmise it is all about cost cutting to increase profits. Whatever the motivation, working in the media today is a moving feast. The Guardian