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Fresh out of the box

Ideas and inspiration, news and reviews, pictures and points of view – it's all right here in FOTB

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!


Featured photographer: Brian Harte


People photographer Brian Harte proudly claims that photography is his life. He says, 'I almost never switch off. When I'm not working on clients' photographs, I'm working on my own. I lose track of time and get swept along by the magic.'

"Smiling on demand is like crying on demand, it just doesn't work"

He loves the natural look for his portrait images. That means not capturing people standing like soldiers on parade, grinning unnaturally, or trying to be on their best behaviour. Brian believes, 'There's nothing like saying the word smile to make people freeze. You're almost guaranteed the opposite reaction.'

He continues, 'Even if they force a smile, it always shows in the end result. Smiling

Featured photographer: Brian Harte

Brian Harte

on demand is like crying on demand, it just doesn't work.'

When asked to let us in on his secret Brian says, 'I never say 'smile' but people always do. Why? Because they're relaxed and having fun. We joke, we laugh, we chat, we play. Whether we're on the beach, in a playground, or up a tree, I try to make sure it's fun!'

Take a look at some of Brian's work and you've got to agree it's a great technique which really works.

 

Diary dates


Events and exhibitions you won't want to miss

Society on show


Paul Graham, Crouched man in DHSS waiting room

©Paul Graham, Crouched man in DHSS waiting room

The Aberystwyth Arts Centre is currently hosting an exhibition titled No Such Thing as Society. It's a wonderful mix of styles and themes from 33 of the UK's leading documentary photographers taken between 1967 and 1987. Big names include Martin Parr, Tony Ray-Jones, Chris Steele-Perkins and Philip Jones-Griffiths. From comedy and convention, to class and community, this is a great summary of modern social history and an insightful look at Britishness. Exhibition ends 27th April.

 

Homage to Muhammad


Sonia Katchian

©Sonia Katchian

The ALI Folio™ at the Proud Gallery is an intimate portrayal of the legendary Muhammad Ali, by photographer Sonia Katchian. It covers life inside and outside the boxing ring, including his famous Rumble in the Jungle fight of 1974. There's also the chance to purchase prints so you can own your very own piece of sporting memorabilia of a true iconic figure. Ends 11th May.

Northern life


Elijah Yeoman, Percy Beck, Flatts Wood

©Elijah Yeoman, Percy Beck, Flatts Wood

Teesdale photographer Elijah Yeoman was one of the first commercial photographers. He had a real love of local landscapes, along with a great passion for portraiture. Right now you can catch a collection of his work at the Elijah Yeomen (1849-1939) exhibition, on at The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Durham. It's an impressive collection of Victorian and Edwardian life which is well worth a visit and the £7 admission fee. On until 15th June.

 

Going solo


Anne Collier

©Anne Collier

New York based photographer Anne Collier launches her first solo exhibition in a UK gallery this month. From the 11th April, until 24th May, you can see her varied photographs at Liverpool's Open Eye Gallery. Particularly interesting is her work around the idea of re-photographing existing images to form images of images, giving older work a new lease of life and urging us to look at it afresh.

 

PhotoBox favourites


Here are a few of our favourite things!

A year in pictures


Reuters – Our World Now

As the world's largest international news agency, Reuters has a huge supply of fascinating photos from around the globe. Put together in a new book, Reuters – Our World Now, are just some of their images captured during 2007. Through its page you can relive the major stories of last year, with one minute heart-warming images and next conveying devastation, but all thought provoking in their own individual way. It's great value for money at just £10.

 

Clip art


Fotoclips

Are you familiar with Fotoclips? Like all the best ideas they are simple but brilliant. Just little plastic clips you can use to join your photos together and transform them into 2D or even 3D photo displays. Make a huge wall of photos in minutes, perhaps your very own photo tower, or modern art photo sculpture. Or as the guys at Lomography modestly put it, ‘These Lomographic magic widgets will engulf you in astonishment and dramatically change your life!'

Next stop


Photovision Roadshow

Next up on the popular Photovision Roadshow calendar is 29th April at The Old Palace, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire. Get along to the exhibition to see a dazzling array of exhibitors, showcasing innovative products and services to keep your photography cutting edge. There's also a series of seminars, including Lighting On-Location presented by Environmental Portrait Photographer 2007, Uzair Kharawala. As usual it promises to be a very inspiring day and what's more entry is free!

 

The perfect companion


The Digital Photography Companion

For a bang up to date read on all things digital photography related grab a copy of The Digital Photography Companion, written by Derrick Story and published by O'Reilly Media. There's general advice on photographic equipment and basic camera techniques, before going on to tackle specific topics such as shooting action shots, architecture, travel locations and kids. It's a really great point of reference for photographers to have at the ready.

 

Latest from the LightBox: Whatever the weather


Take interesting images in all weather conditions

If you're a fickle fair weather photographer you're missing out on loads of great opportunities. Face the elements and find out how to get the best of out all weathers.

A scene can be totally transformed by a touch of mist or fog. Catch it first thing in the morning, when the earliest rays of sunshine appear, and you could be in for an award-winning shot. Avoid just thick blankets of fog without any interesting details at all.

Read the full article


Email us your weird and wonderful weather photos for a place in our Editor's gallery and the chance to win a Photobook! Think April showers, snow or lightning storms, wild windy weather or glorious sunshine.
Deadline 18th April.

Whatever the weather

Issue: 11

Quick links
» Society on show
» Northern life
» Homage to Muhammad
» Going solo
» A year in pictures
» Next stop
» Clip art
» The perfect companion
» Whatever the weather

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Exhibitions & events
Modern Muses by Bryan Adams, National Portrait Gallery, London, until 15th June Re-Tracing Salford, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Salford, until 20th April Changing Landscapes, National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, Yorkshire, until 2nd May Studio Cameroon: portrait photography by Jacques Touselle, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, until 30th June Metropolis – Capturing Modern Liverpool, National Conservation Centre, Liverpool, 21st March – 10th August Joanne Kane: The Somnambulists, Photographic Portraits from Before Photography, Portrait Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland, until 6th April Side-by-Side Exhibition, The Economist Plaza, London, 6th March – 1st May Contact: George Rodgers' War Photographs, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester, until 27th April Ansel Adams: Celebration of Genius, City Art Centre, Edinburgh, until 19th April Alexander Rodchenko: Revolution in Photography, Southbank Centre, London, until 27th April Henri Cartier Bresson's Scrapbook Photographs 1932-46, National Media Museum, Bradford, until 1st June Vanity Fair Portraits – Photographs 1913-46, National Portrait Gallery London, until 26th May
Competitions
LightBox
Just published
Creative courses
How to shoot stunning macro images, Experience Seminars, London, 18th May Starting Digital Photography, Photofusion, London, 6th, 7th and 8th May Landscape Photography for Beginners, Spring Colours, The Blackthorn Centre School of Photography, Wiltshire, 10th & 11th May Puffins and Castles, Northscape Workshops, Northumberland, 23rd – 25th May Trossachs in Spring, Photographs of Scotland, Trossachs, 26th – 30th May One Day Studio Portrait Course, Peak District Photography Centre, Derbyshire, 21st April
Photography tips

1. Centre of attention

If you always instinctively place your main subject in the centre of your shot, try playing around with different compositions for more interesting results.


2. Perfect patterns

Look out for repeating patterns in the objects around you as they often make for fantastic photos.


3. On an angle

Try tilting your camera at a strong angle to get a much more interesting perspective. It will give your photos a whole new look.

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