Ed Burtynsky feature

Very excited. Interviewing Canadian photographer Ed Burtynsky tonight for a feature article in Pro Photo's October issue. Ed is renowned for his amazing industrial landscape shots. His new book, Australian Minescapes, has just been released. I met Ed last year at Foto Freo Festival in Perth. At that Festival I also met Paolo Pellegrin and Stephen Dupont, both photojournalists. I've written features on both Paolo and Stephen - in fact my story on Stephen made the cover of Pro Photo this month and spread over five pages. Foto Freo was a very fruitful experience and I made some fantastic contacts.

My Melbourne - Photos from my new collection

I'm working on a new collection of photos at present with Melbourne as the central theme. I started this project in January and every weekend am out taking new shots to add to the collection. Here are some of my favourites.

That Photo

I took the photo at the top of this blog in Venice in 2000. It was my first trip to what has become one of my fav cities in the world. This outdoor cafe was at the back of the hotel I was staying in, a 16th Century palace that had undergone what can only be termed as a classic Italian Fawlty Towers renovation! The cafe provided a quiet haven where I could sit and write in my journal. In fact it was very quiet as there was no service available as the cafe and bar were permanently closed. This photo became part of the collection of photos I exhibited at the Port Art Gallery a couple of years ago. Here's a few more photos from that trip.

Rock Chicks Released in UK

My latest book, Rock Chicks The Hottest Female Rockers from the 1960's to Now has just been released into the UK. Since its launch at the end of 2007 its been picked up by readers in the US, Germany, France, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. It was one of the coolest projects I've ever worked on and I am totally stoked that it is now selling in bookstores in the UK.

I'm asked all the time 'who is your favourite' rock chick. Out of the 27 chicks in the book, I'd have to say Patti Smith. She's one artist that has never compromised, never cared about what anyone else thinks of her art, and has always been true to herself. She's gutsy, tough, and doesn't like to be told no. And she's real. Stevie Nicks runs a pretty close second 'cos she's the embodiment of a rock star and has managed to hold onto that ethereal creature she introduced the world to with her hit Rhiannon. There are so many fantastic female musicians out there. I guess I'm just going to have to write a few more volumes to cover them all!

Last Night Queen came to Melbourne

Last night in Melbourne I saw the Queen tribute show, 'Queen it's a kinda magic' at Her Majesty's theatre. I don't usually go in for tribute shows as they are often poor imitations, but last night this show's lead singer, Craig Pesco, was channelling Freddie Mercury. Not just in voice or costume, but facial expressions, physical movements and Mercury's arresting stage presence. It was an awesome show and the audience was on its collective feet and dancing for the entire concert.

I chatted with Craig and the boys after the show. These guys have toured the world, received rave reviews in Barcelona, Paris, Toronto, Hong Kong and across the US. Everywhere they go they gather more loyal fans. At last night's show I talked with a fantastic couple, John and Aggie, who come to every show. And what's really cool about the band is they hang with their fans and show them how much they value their support. After they finish their current Australian tour they are off to South Africa. Check them out if you get a chance. Visit www.queen.itsakindamagic.com to see where they are playing. As a sidebar I saw Queen play in the seventies at Festival Hall in Melbourne. First live concert I ever attended. Been hooked ever since.