Welcome to our monthly news page packed with all the weird and wonderful things happening in the world of photography. It's also your opportunity to get involved and make your opinions count.
To get your photography tips, testimonials, recommendations and reviews featured - blog us!
Advertising and commercial photographer Mike Molloy has over 18 years of photographic experience behind him. During this time he's photographed everything from sports cars and construction sites, people and property, right through to onions and iPods. If that's not variety I don't know what is!
"They all have their different challenges and I enjoy solving problems."
Michael admits, 'I love the variety of work, one day shooting models in a room set, the next down a tube tunnel at 4am taking pictures of welders. They all have their different challenges and I enjoy solving problems.'
His client list includes airports, schools, hospitals and even nuclear power stations. These images are then seen in everything from glossy
Michael Molloy
magazines to press releases, brochures and company websites.
When it comes to offering advice to others looking to follow a similarly successful career, Michael says 'It's important to always stay calm. Clients like to see someone who is in control, but doesn't take themselves too seriously.' This obviously works for him as he adds, 'I often turn up at a shoot and after an hour or so they will be talking about booking me for another job before even seeing a single shot!'
Find out more at www.michaelmolloy.co.uk
Events and exhibitions you won't want to miss
Steve McCurry - TIBET. Tagong. 1999. Woman at horse festival
Photographer Steve McCurry is well-known for his iconic shot of an Afghan girl, featuring the most amazing green eyes that stare back powerfully at the viewer. It's this same image that was the inspiration for this new exhibition. Steve went back 17 years later to Afghanistan to find and photograph the same girl, now woman. His exhibition Steve McCurry Asia, now on at the London Magnum Print Room, showcases a mix of fascinating images of war-torn Afghanistan, where he still manages to find beauty amongst the rubble. On until 16th May and is highly recommended.
Central Park, New York, 1960 © Neil Libbert courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
From now until 7th June you can catch The New York School of Photographers exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery. It's a reflective look at New York street photography from 1930s to 1970s, capturing the essence of post-war life in the Big Apple. There are plenty of famous names included in the exhibition such as Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander and William Klein. Expect great city sights and shed loads of atmosphere, combined with a strong sense of energy, all of which New York is well-known for.
Maurice Broomfield: Crossing Over
Dimbola Lodge, on the Isle of Wight, has another great photography exhibition, Maurice Broomfield: Crossing Over. Whilst Maurice is most famous for his 'New Look' style of photography that gives industrial shots an artist twist, here we get to enjoy new and previously unseen work. The exhibition photos are derived from his travels, where he depicts people both at work and at leisure. Some of the prints also use a revolutionary new paper for added affect. Exhibition is on until 8th June.
John Lennon, London, 1968,
Copyright: © 1968 Paul McCartney
Photographer: Linda McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney has been involved in curating an exhibition of some of Linda McCartney's finest photos. The images are currently on display at the James Hyman Gallery until 19th July. Photography and music fans alike will be drawn to this powerful print collection of some of the music industry's most famous icons including: John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Mick Jagger. Commenting on the exhibition of Linda's images Sir Paul said, 'The photographs not only illustrate her incredible talent as an artist, but as someone who was very much connected to the culture of the times, and wasn't afraid to challenge herself or her subject.'
Here are a few of our favourite things!
For any of you out there thinking you'd love to make the leap from amateur photographer to full-time pro here's a brilliant bit of advice. Check out the words of wisdom shared by photographer Damien Lovegrove, who is certainly cutting it as a successful much-in-demand pro. He has a special section on his website aimed specifically at people in this position. It's a page packed with sound advice and sensible questions to get your nearer to fulfilling your dream, without falling flat on your face along the way.
Tom Ang's legendary photographic knowledge, combined with publisher Dorling Kindersley's reputation for highly visual and easy to follow books, makes their latest venture, Digital Photography Masterclass, a must for budding photographers. It's relevant to all different areas of photography and for helping you decide where your interest lies. There are plenty of tips from controlling your camera to developing an instinct for great composition, plus step-by-step projects designed to inspire your creativity to new heady heights. All this and it's still just £20, now that's what I call great value!
Have you heard that records are making a comeback? Maybe not in the music world, but they're definitely proving a big hit in the world of photography right now. Check out Sleeveface and you'll soon see exactly what I mean, they're record crazy! Just take a snap of yourself or a friend with an appropriate record cover and join in the fun. Such a simple idea, yet really inspiring! Now, where did I put those records?
'Animals in action' is the theme of this year's BBC Countryfile photography competition. Last year's competition raised an incredible £270,000 for Children in Need through the sale of the winning entries sold as part of a Countryfile Calendar. This year there's a chance for you to win a range of photographic equipment or a weekend break for two in a cottage in the UK. See website for details of the competition and then get out there with your camera and start capturing your competition entries, deadline 29th August.
We all know how easy it is to get carried away when buying stuff, especially gadgetry as exciting as a new camera. Enticing as it might seem at the time, forking out for features you’ll never use is pretty pointless. So here are a few important considerations to help you keep a clear head.
Finding the camera to suit you is all about how you’re going to use it. Do you just want a quick and easy compact for snapping family and friends, which is easy to carry around? If so, make the most of the fact that you don’t need to splash out on pricey pro performance kit.
Issue 1: Featured photographer – Annabel Williams
Issue 2: Featured photographer – Clive Nichols
Issue 3: Featured photographer – Karen Parker
Issue 4: Featured photographer – Helena Smith
Issue 5: Featured photographer – Brett Harkness
Issue 6: Featured photographer – Jason de Caires Taylor
Issue 7: Featured photographer – Sarah Wright
Issue 8: Featured photographer – Neil Bygrave
Issue 9: Featured photographer – Adam Lawrence
Issue 10: Featured photographer – Barry Wakelin
Issue 11: Featured photographer – Brian Harte
1. Fill the frame
By moving in close on a subject and really filling the frame, your photos will have much more impact.
2. . Exaggerate it
It’s easy to exaggerate the size of your subject by either looking down on what you’re photographing or gazing up.
3. Diagonal lines
If you want to give an image a dramatic look try to including lots of diagonal lines. Or angle a shot so that the horizon in on a diagonal for a change.
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Justin Short
PhotoBox Poster Calendar – A fantastic way to showcase your favourite images throughout the year.
Digital Photographer
PhotoBox canvas prints given five star rating.
Digital SLR Photography
Editor’s Choice award - From the earliest days of online digital photo printing, PhotoBox has been at the forefront of the technology. It now backs this up with an unrivalled range of services, some of which are normally only found in the professional photography printing market.
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