Hero worship

© Steve Pyke; Artane Boys Band, Dublin 1992

The thing for me at this festival so far hasn't been the work or the seminars but running into new and old friends. And then you meet a hero; someone who influenced you way back and actually had a hand somewhere along the line in you wanting to be a photographer.

Well last night we had such a chance encounter and hey it wasnt Martin Parr. You know kids there is a lesson in here and I am giving this one away for free. When you are out and about be sure to give your second name when introducing yourself. You know "Hi my name is Andrew" Well I could be any Andrew, right. Its a funny old thing the surname mention, it can open up some wonderful doors.

There we were out at a bar when Alison L Unterreiner from Esquire magazine introduced me to Steve from Leicester, England. No second name; can't even remember if I dropped the surname myself. A little chit chat ensued and don't ask me how it happened but it suddenly dawned on me that this was fuckin Steve Pyke. This guy was a huge influence on me starting out with one picture in particular having a lasting impression all these years. And what do you know a diamond geezer to boot.

Jacks back

Well I don't think anyone missed me too much as there were no emails worrying about the blogs extended absence this time around. Suffice to say we were both away personally and professionally.

In the meantime though answer me this will you, how come whenever you book a personal trip the calls for work come flooding in for the dates you will be away ? Its always the same could be sitting around with out a bite to be had and then voila just as you are packed and ready to go the phone starts ringing off the hook.

There is always that omnipresent fear of missing out on the holy grail once tickets have been booked and plans made. These fears are more often then not realized come departure day and cause us freelancers to often never book any sort of holiday time far in advance. We can usually come up with some sort of self serving reasoning; you know its like nothing ever happens in August because the whole industry is away but hang on a sec if I am around and all the other photogs are out of town maybe the goose will lay me a golden egg.

Grrrr whats one to do ? Thankfully my beautiful wife keeps us mobilized. With a job in the real world one has to manage ones away time carefully so we do plan ahead to maximize every extra day and opportunity. If I was left to my own devices everything would end up being so last minute we probably wouldn't end up going anywhere.

Although I have to say I have scored a gig from time to time being away by giving PE's a heads up as to my whereabouts.

On this occasion a quick 5 day trip to Ireland resulted in missing 5 days work for 3 different magazines. The itinerary was non transferable as were the shoot dates so no go for me on any of the gigs. Often best you don't get too much info on the jobs you are missing out on so you don't get too upset at what possibilities may be lost.

Not to worry though I had a choice gig to come back to, but what the fuck as soon as I hit the tarmac on the return to NYC and powered up the Blackberry there were 2 more sweet gigs in the inbox with complete specs and what do you know they all want the same dates. Aaaargh this is aggravating especially when the assignments are all plum with image making potential.

One photographers loss is of course anothers gain. You wouldn't mind though nothing in the books for this week after the flurry; just plenty more work working on work and maybe a little blogging while we are at it. Stay tuned.

The Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh new wave

Got some time on your hands and want to see what talents coming out of some of the fine photography schools in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales ? Well then go here for links to the 2007 Graduate Exhibitions and discover some of the stars of tomorrow.

Courtesy of Source a really terrific quarterly magazine of contemporary photography out of Belfast Northern Ireland.

Things to do tonight . . . . New York

Photo © Alen MacWeeney

'Irish Travellers and Yeats' a show by Alen MacWeeney is opening at the Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 West 23rd street. The opening reception is from 6-8pm and the show coincides with the release of his latest book 'Irish Travellers, Tinkers No More'. Both show and book feature portraits taken by MacWeeney documenting the gypsy families of Ireland known as 'Travellers'. These pictures were taken between 1965 and 1969 and provide a unique glimpse into one of the most misunderstood and often feared social groups in Irish society. The show also features classic imagery that MacWeeney produced based on the poetry of William Butler Yeats.

“I had fallen into the deep pool of a hidden Irish culture,” he writes, and the pictures he took there have the intensity and poignancy of re-discovered love letters. MacWeeney’s black-and-white images recall Dorothea Lange’s sharecroppers, Josef Koudelka’s Gypsies, and classic photo reportage by Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson, and Danny Lyon. This soulful series is shown alongside photographs from the same period that explore and embody the heady influence of Yeats.” The New Yorker

MacWeeney, now in his 60's/70's ? came to New York from Dublin at the age of 21 and became an assistant to Richard Avedon. He soon made a name for himself as an editorial photographer and became something of a player on the scene. His work has been collected over the years by more than 60 public institiutions including the MOMA and the Met here in New York. I myself interviewed with MacWeeney for an assisting gig when I was fresh off the immigrant boat in the mid-nineties but nothing ever came of the meeting and I seem to remember he moved back to Europe/Ireland sometime after that. Anyways looks like he is back in town now and ironically 'Inspirator' and friend Arun Kuplas sat next to MacWeeney only last month on a flight from Frankfurt to New York. Turns out Alen was pretty chatty for the 8 hours on learning his seat mates profession.

Colour or color

Photo © Carlos Perez Siquier

Whatever way you spell it doesn't matter but its a pretty exciting week coming up with the Martin Parr curated show 'Colour before Color: 1970's European Color Photography' at the Hasted Hunt gallery in New York opening on June 7 and running through July 20.

There seems to be no avoiding Mr Parr, prolific is not the word his influence is inescapable and whether you like or dislike his own work you cannot begrudge his obvious passion for the art and his unique view on the world. He is not only a photographer but an author, curator, collector. I am a huge fan, surprise, and he has had a huge influence on me from the git go. Reread an earlier post here, to see how early on he had an effect.

Photo © Peter Mitchell

The show features work by Luigi Ghirri, Keld Helmer-Petersen, Peter Mitchell, Carlos Perez Siquier, Ed Van der Elsken (none of whom I am familiar with) and John Hinde (with whom I am very familiar).

Joerg 'Conscientious' Colberg has a terrific conversation with Parr about the show here and the significance of these photographers in the history of color photography.

I have touched on John Hinde a little before. Anyone growing up in Ireland or the UK in the 50's, 60's and 70's will particularly remember his bright colour saturated postcards that may seem a little twee now but were revolutionary @ the time. Hinde born in England dabbled in photography early on and after several ventures in and out of it, including owning his own circus for a short time, he settled in Ireland and turned his hand to making postcards. The wonderful book 'Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight' a collection of John Hinde's Butlins Photographs is not only magical for the pictures but for the introduction by Parr and the interviews of the 3 photographers who worked for Hinde and the studio he created. I found the text to be most illuminating and educational. I grew up in Dublin only a few miles from where Hinde first started and my uncle Michael worked on the printing presses when the company expanded from its makeshift digs in Bullock Harbor to a brand new high tech custom built facility in Cabinteely in the 60's. We always got new calenders every year, Hinde style.

By the mid 60's John Hinde Ltd. was one of the largest postcard companies in the world. His visual style was clearly obvious and although he would stop taking the photographs himself it is hard to distinguish between Hindes work and that of the three young photographers he hired and trained to shoot a certain way, his way.

Photo © John Hinde Studios

The Butlins images are a little different from those on the cards, For those of you unfamiliar with Butlins it was a holiday camp and became something of a Britsh Institution enjoying a heyday in the 60's and 70's. They had various locations across the UK and were something of a low tech Disneyland where the guests were locked in at night and were woken early to the infamous 'Wakey Wakey' breakfast call that would bellow from the camps tannoy (loudspeaker). Hinde was commissioned to photograph the camps as his hallmark bright colours were ideal for their promotion. Alot of the shots were interiors and elaborate lighting with flash was required. The interviews in the back of the book with all three photographers, Elmar Ludwig, Edmund Nagele and David Noble are fascinating and well worth the read. They explain the process of both the Butlins photographs and the postcards and share their own unique experiences on working with Hinde.

Photo © John Hinde Studios

There is little to be found of Hinde on the web. He sold the company in 1972 and all but disappeared. The Butlins pictures had such an affect on Parr (he himself had worked @ Butlins as a camp photographer) that he set about generating enthusiasm for Hindes work which eventually culminated in a retrospective show at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin in 1993. Hinde attended the show, Parr together with David Lee the shows researcher had tracked him to the Dourdogne in France. He was never that enthusiastic about the Butlins photographs it turned out and couldn't understand their significance.

"he was a populist who tried to create imagery that would have mass appeal" MP

Hinde died in 1997 @ the age of 81 and the company that bears his name is still in existence although www.johnhinde.com never seems to be working quite right, there is some additional info here.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the show. The gallery will host a discussion with Parr and a distinguished but as yet unannounced panel on June 20 from 5pm to 6pm followed by a reception.

Expanding on a theme

'Castles of Ulster' is another interesting book on the fortified police stations, army barracks and watchtowers in Northern Ireland. Photographer Jonathan Olley secured remarkable access during the late 90's to photograph these buildings while they were still in use. Many of these structures have since been dismantled as part of the peace process.

'These structures are like Martian spacecraft, one breaks the terraced main street of what looks like a country town and shows that the irenic structures of ordinary architecture must give way to these armed gods, meshed objects that represent the failure of political and civil values.' Tom Paulin


The book is available directly from the publisher Factotum and you can go here to see more of the pictures. Click on the text to get more insight and background.


I think I may have preferred the pictures in colour but there is no doubt the effect these structures had on a landscape and a people.

Friday Foto(s)

In keeping in the spirit of us all being photographers now, I thought I would mix the Friday Foto(s) up a little this week.


This set comes courtesy of my brother Richard whos new house in Dublin is undergoing something of a major renovation.


I really love this little series 'Whats on the builders table this week ?' where he has been documenting the eating habits of that most exotic of human species, the Irish builder !

Photos © Rich and Michelle

You can follow the progress on the house and more here.

Heres to you Richard, Michelle and Adam !

Keeping it in the family

Photo © AH

Sunday night is the premiere of The Tudors on Showtime , the story of Henry VIII. My brother Richard was the boom operator on the series. It was all filmed in Ireland, part on location but mostly on the big soundstage @ Ardmore Studio's (they had different directors come in to do a couple of episode's a piece, the first two blew the whole location budget early on so the rest had to settle for the indoors). Ardmore is where my father cut his teeth as a young cameraman back in the day.

I guess I will have to fork out the extra for the premium cable upgrade and while I am @ it perhaps I should get myself some surround sound to experience the subtleties of Richard's mastery on the mic. Its chockablock with acting talent Sam Neill, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and my brother in law Chris who did his bit as an extra. That bastion of all good things cultural the New York Post gave it a stellar review with 4 stars.

It has nudity, violence (the odd beheading) & adult content (graphic sex), viewer discretion is advised, perfect for a Sunday night in with the family.

Check out the extended trailer here.

To judge or not to judge . . That is the question ?

Bottom's Up ! Photo © AH

Early on I was always quick to judge other photographers and their (editorial) work. I was something of a magazine junkie. Growing up in Ireland in the 80's one didn't really have access to all the mags that are round now but there were more than enough to wet the appetite. I was into the fashion and had visions of myself as a jet setter travelling the world shooting bikini clad babes on my 300mm ala Lord Lichfield or being a little more conceptual with my boob n bum ala Bob Carlos Clarke (an Irishman based in London who did some eye opening glamour, revolutionary @ the time, he was never out of the photo periodicals), the odd glimpse of the Pirelli Calendar only fuelled the dream. After a while once I became familiar with photographers and their work I would be only too happy to chime in and offer my opinion, I certainly could be particularly scathing if I had felt we were being exposed to a lacklustre performance.

I went to Art College in Dublin for a 1 year photography course straight out of school (it was the 1st year that the course was offered so it was a bit of a mish mash), then assisted and started to shoot (fashion mainly, the odd portrait) in relatively quick succession. Dublin was/has a small market and I did quite well in the beginning, winging it most of the time but managed to make do. Every Friday night alot of the photographers, stylists, models, hair/make up artists would get together for a pint or two. I didn't realise @ the time but would discover later, that to some of us photography was a job 9 to 5, we didn't see the bigger picture only taking the camera out when there was a payday involved.

After a few years of ups and downs I had the opportunity to come to New York. Things had become pretty stagnant for me in Dublin and it was time to make my mind up, decide what I wanted to do with my life, to continue in photography or do something comepletely different. I had a few friends come to the U.S. before me and they had started assisting, news came back that there were opportunities aplenty to work in the business and the money was good (certainly by Dublin standards, the rates were pretty low, particularly for assisting and a sandwich for lunch was living large). I touched down with a few names and started working pretty quickly. It was certainly daunting in the beginning, a whole new world personally and professionally, I had travelled on holidays a bit and did some summers in London during breaks from school/college but this was a little different. I gave myself a year !

It was whilst working in New York that I started to really learn about photography, not just the technicalities but I was working with people who were truly passionate about what they were doing. It was a life choice, there was more to it then taking a few snaps during the week, no one seemed to hang up the camera for the weekend, or ever ! They were all living and breathing their craft/art, their work was their life, this is what I had been missing, this is what I wanted. I had never been exposed to this before. It was a total experience, more than loading film , taking light readings and trying not to f**k up.

When it was good it was great but every now and then something would go wrong. There are so many factors involved in any one shoot. Weather, travel, malfunctions, breakdowns, uncooperative subjects, moody models, bad food, illness, hangovers, processing problems, scratched negs, etc.etc.etc. There is usually a good story behind the story.

I have had my fair share, both as an assistant (almost loosing my life on a Swiss mountain peak) and now as a shooter, each one an epic tale in itself (maybe I will expand on some of my experiences further down the line). Some of my high lights include, having all my camera's, lights and film confiscated by Jamaican Customs upon my arrival (I did have a carnet, that's what you get for going legit) and having to buy a 2nd hand Olympus Stylus point and shoot and some grey market Kodak Gold to do the job (got my gear back - very stressful, and was escorted to the plane), shooting the cast of the movie Syriana prior to its world premiere in a theatre lobby and blowing the power breaker 8 frames into my one and only roll, that was that no time to find the circuit board, I announced that I was done thank you very much (to be honest I probably would have only had another 15 seconds anyway, the publicists were hovering), Matt Damon et al seemed impressed with my speediness, I was sweating it as the roll was wound out, thankfully there was one in there. I have had assistants load the wrong film, drop film and watch it roll away and unravel in slow motion and have had my fair share of gear malfunctions which predictably happen when you are miles from back up, and the back up to the back up starts misbehaving.

I am still a magazine junkie ! but I no longer judge ! Remember kids you never know whats going on, the story behind the scenes behind the picture. Most of the time everything goes ok, kind of sort of and then you got to try and take a decent photo, no pressure. It's always a different experience when you are shooting for someone else and not just trying to please yourself.

And then of course there is the EDIT, the work that appears in the layout itself, its not always the best picture that makes the cut but that's another post for another day.

That was the weekend that was

Photo © AH

Friday night was fight night. Got some ringside seats to see Irish John Duddy fight @ The Theatre @ Madison Square Garden, thanks Paul. It was a packed house full of rabid Irishmen and women, a home crowd if ever there was one. Duddy got the win over Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante with a TKO, hardly convincing but he's undefeated, got the looks, the charisma and he's guaranteed box office, everything a fighter needs to get a world title shot. We were in the front row, 3 down from Jake LaMotta and in front of Matthew Modine.

Saturday was spent helping Mrs T-H get ready for surf camp in Costa Rica. She is spending the week in Malpais where according to the brochure you can enjoy the "pure life" of surfing in a fun non-competitive environment. With 3 types of surf break its the perfect locale for all levels of surfers. Whether you're starting to learn or just want to improve your technique, their expert instructors will help you reach your goals. There is also yoga, massage and salsa dancing. Look forward to sharing in her experience on her flickr page when she gets back.

Managed to stay up way past my bed time and catch the Australian GP live. Always exciting @ the start of the season, to see the new cars, drivers etc etc. Not a particularly great race, Kimi "big on personality" Raikkonen got an easy win leading from start to finnish (funny joke, he is from Finland), but the season looks promising with a lot of interesting battles to come. Also English rookie phenom Lewis Hamilton looks very much like the real deal.

Sunday was the powerHouse portfolio review. These things are always a lottery, you never know who you are going to be paired up with. I hadn't done one in a while and figured I would give it a go again. I got lucky with my reviewers and it was refreshing to not be out selling myself but getting some new strangerly advice.

First up was John Berthot, president of Focus, a photographers consultant, second Darren Ching, creative director of PDN (he is a big Birmingham City fan, they are riding high in the championship, its a very exciting promotion battle this season,looks like its going all the way !), third was Jeana Hong of Laird and Partners, she is also involved in the Slideluck Potshow and last up was the venerable George Pitts of Life (george has some new work on Nerve.com he said I might like checking out).

Everyone was very positive and it was well worth my while. I also ran into Joseph Lopez, we have met a couple of times over the years and share mutual friends. He is working on some really interesting projects. Check him out here.

And Aston Villa 0 - 0 Liverpool

PS the picture above was from a shoot for GQ. The story about a motorcycle gang in Oakland is due out soon, the image did not make the final layout so I think a sneak peek is allowed.

About last night . . . . Paddy whackery

Due to a mystery injury sustained by Shane MacGowan (surprise) last nights Pogues gig was cancelled. Of course you are all the way to the venue door before you find out.

Looking forward to trying to get someone on the phone over @ friendly Ticketmaster, see if there are any tickets left for tonight or put in for a refund, that should take an hour or so. Thanks Shane !

The modern Ireland . . . . No more time to mourn !

S Clark and Son Funeral Directors of Newtownards Northern Ireland has begun broadcasting funerals live over the internet. Now people can mourn the deceased where ever in the world they may be. All you need is a password to log in and watch streaming video & audio providing of course the grieving family has optioned this upgrade as part of their funeral package.

Jim Clarke 80, who came up with the idea while taking a computer course, looks like he could be onto a winner, hope he got the patent.

Wednesday night delight . . . . Paddy rolling stone

I am kicking my St Patricks day/week off with the Pogues @ Roseland tonight. It's the full original line up (minus Cait O'Riordan, Elvis Costello's former Mrs.) with legendary front man Shane MacGowan (above) backed by Spider Stacy, Phil Chevron, James Fearnley, Jem Finer, Terry Woods, Andrew Ranken & Cait replacement Darryl Hunt. Last time I saw them live was New Years's Eve 1985 @ the SFX in Dublin when I was under age, but old enough.

The only other time I have seen Shane in person was a few years back when I was in Ireland on holidays with Mrs H and my brother in law Zed. We were in the town of Carrick-on-Shannon in need of refreshment, wandered into the nearest pub for a cold pint et voila there was Shane down the back, eating, drinking & singing away with members of his then band The Popes. I was sans camera but this was when Shane had the broken foot and he was with wheelchair (above) a truly awesome sight.

Amazing that Shane is still alive after all the booze he has supped away !

Heres to you Shane MacGowan, one of rock and roll's greats !