Clap your hands for Ovation

Big up to cable network Ovation TV for bringing us 'Framed' a special week long photography event starting tonight, channel 83 here in Manhattan, check your local provider elsewhere.

There is some interesting programming in the mix but the highlight is undoubtedly the airing of the critically acclaimed BBC 4 series 'The Genius of Photography' which is still showing in the UK. The six part series will be shown in its entirety over two nights starting Monday @ 8.00pm est. This is a real treat because sometimes we are time lagged here in the US and access to such a gem can be much delayed.

Please find some sneak peeks below, hopefully this won't cause any further difficulties with the blog as it seems to have been crashing a bit recently when using Firefox. Let me know if anyone is experiencing such joys.

Viewing the shot

Well of course I watched 'The Shot' last night and while certainly formulaic of the reality show competition genre I like 'A Visual Society' will probably tune in from week to week and watch this thing to the bitter end.

Russell James wasn't so bad as show hosts go, at least he managed to keep his shirt on unlike during the shows opening montage where we got to see him display his photographic assets. I am sure he will get a little smoother as the series continues. After all he has Nigel Barker the photographer judge on 'Americas Next Top Model' to guide him. I noticed on the credits that Barker is an executive producer on 'The Shot' nice one Nige thats a smart way to earn a few extra $.

So completely cheesy and unrealistic ? but the infighting has already started amongst the competitors, where do they find these people ? How about Ivan and Dean, the producers must have wet themselves big when these two winning personalities came knocking on the casting door. My wifes got her money on Maria winning the whole thing already.

Stay tuned !

Next top fashion photographer

Well its finally here, VH1 unleashes its latest reality show The Shot on us this Sunday at 10.00pm est. Ten aspiring wannabees come under the mentor ship of the shows host, the legendary (their word not mine) fashion photographer, the sharp shooter from down under, yes the man with the golden mane himself Russell James (above). In the first episode James reveals whats at stake for the winner; a $ 100,000 cash prize, a shot at shooting a fashion spread for Marie Claire magazine and a national ad campaign for Victoria's Secret and the right to call yourself America's next top fashion photographer.

First up is a nude shoot and a very rocky boat that would test the stomachs of even the most serious pro. And so both the glamorous and not so glamorous sides of high fashion are already revealed from the git go. Hooked already right ?

"VH1 shows have been train wrecks, Flavor of Love and The Surreal Life. It can be a career-wrecker. But the way VH1 presented this one, they wanted it to be real and credible, not just star-driven." Russell James

Russell has been something of a fixture on the mainstream fashion / glamour scene for sometime and has worked extensively for Victoria's Secret and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. I remember a few years back watching one of those behind the scenes TV specials on the making of the Swimsuit issue. There was Russell and crew shooting on a beach close to the waters edge, hey hang on watch out theres a big fuckin wave comin out of no where. Its just swept up the sand and over the beach cart and now all the camera gear is soaking wet. Oh and its completely ruined. Bummer ! I knew the guys over at the rental house where Russell rented the gear; final tally for the wreckage was about $ 30,000.00. Remember kids be careful of the water and always read the fine print so you are aware of your fiscal responsibilities when it comes to damaged goods. I wonder will they incorporate this sort of potential fiasco into one of the shows challenges.

Anyways I am sure I will be tuning in just to see what it takes to have a crack at the top spot.

America's next top . . . . Photographer

We have had chefs, fashion designers, directors, comedians, dancers, ice skaters so why not photographers. Well looks like Click! a new reality show from Vh1 is out to take care of that. They are looking for photographers and models willing to battle it out on screen as they shoot for the top and a huge $ prize.

CLICK! a new television show for Vh1 is searching for the
next amazing photographer! You will get to work with
and learn from one of the Top photographers in the
World!

If you are an amateur photographer or semi-pro
photographer and believe that you have an unbelievable
eye or a natural talent to bring out beauty in
picturesŠ. Then we want you! We are looking for men
and women between the ages of 21-40 with a creative
edge and great personality to participate in our new
reality competition called, CLICK!

The new reality competition series, CLICK! Gives
photographers the chance to live out their fantasies
as they fight to get the perfect shots and indelible
images that make people take notice. The winner will
get a HUGE $$$Cash$$$ prize plus the opportunity to
shoot a major, national campaign.

To be considered, email your Name, age, contact
number, a photo of yourself & 2 examples of your work.
Send to: taraatsamrhimcasting.com
Subject: Click

Contender for book of the year 2007 # 5

Although it was published in 2006 I have finally just got my hands on a copy of Tierney Gearons 'Daddy, where are you ?' published by SteidlDangin (Dangin being Pascal Dangin ace retoucher to the stars and founder of Box Ltd). Although technically not a 2007 release it is new for me and I think an appropriate inclusion.

Having recently seen the documentary 'The Mother Project' go here, here and here it is a real joy to see the pictures in the printed form. I have to say the design, layout and printing, no doubt as a result of Monsieur Dangins involvement, are exceptional. The pictures are beautiful and revealing, disturbing and manipulative, staged and spontaneous, sad and joyous. Tierney is tackling some tricky personal issues with this work and may be seen by some to be exploiting her mother and her physical/mental condition but there is no denying some of the shots are priceless. 5b4 has an extensive review here.

If you missed the documentary on the telly it is being released on DVD by Zeitgeist Films in September. I saw it and was totally enthralled, it is a magical companion piece to the book. Go on treat yourself.

Moving On

Photo © AH

After 18 years with ESPN Dan Patrick is moving on. It was announced by Dan on his radio show Monday that he would be leaving the network to pursue new endeavours. I like my sport and definitely enjoyed Dan and side kick Keith Olberman when they manned Sportscenter in the early days. I had just arrived Stateside and their daily banter was illuminating while all the time getting myself a schooling in American sport. Growing up in Ireland there was limited exposure to basketball, baseball, American football, Nascar and hockey. I have a healthy interest in most and combined with the sports I grew up with, football, rugby, cycling, golf, Formula 1, it has definitely come in handy from time to time working for ESPN The Magazine and being able to ramble on somewhat with my subject about their sport, or sport in general.

Recently I have been enjoying sports radio on my travels. Its always amazing how the hosts can run with what may seem like a small story and turn it in to an epic that continues on and on and on. In each city it is different but yet the same. Broadcasters ranting about the same things, only its about their area teams, whipping themselves and their callers in to a tizzy.

I was once commissioned by ESPN The Magazine to shoot a portrait of Dan up @ their HQ in Bristol Connecticut. The Magazine is based in NYC so it was my first time visiting the compound. It was somewhat recognisable from all the adds for Sportscenter that get shot in and around campus. I got up in plenty of time and was supposed to have an hour to scout and set up for the session and then an hour to shoot. They wanted something quirky and it had to be shot on a simple background as they were going to drop some type in. Of course things never go quite as planned. My contact was running a little late and when we commenced the scout we discovered that Dan was all ready to roll as he had a radio spot coming up in the next 20 minutes and his day was chock a block after that. No go in his office, hes a tall guy and his space was cluttered and cramped so we had to set up quick amongst the cubicles. As with most of these type of sessions you are hoping you are going to get a little something from the subject. No props or environment to play with. Dan was congenial and professional but his mind was elsewhere. I remember the 1st roll or two being pretty static but he finally gave me a little something, nothing earth shattering but a few gestures that made the difference. I think it was only 4 or 5 frames but it was enough. Sometimes you got to realise that you have been given something and to take it as that is all you are going to get.

Here's to you Dan Patrick !

That was last week that was . . . . ANTM

Finally catching up on my last weeks goings on part 2. Photographer and judge Nigel Barker (above) hosted a party for the season finale of 'America's Next Top Model' @ Dublin 6 in Greenwich Village. Its Nigels local pub (was my local until we moved to the East Village) and has some of my pictures on the wall (more on that in a future post) although I don't think any of the in-crowd were too interested. The proprietor Jason O'Brien is an old friend (patron of my arts) so I ligged along and got caught up in the fashtacular happenings.

I haven't followed the show since sneaking a peak @ the first series. Doesn't really do it for me to be honest but it does seem to be highly popular, still. There was no Tyra Banks but winning model Jaslene and runner up Natasha were present.

I hadn't met Nigel till before then and he seemed to be a genuinely decent bloke, fond of a pint and not pretentious in the slightest. Born in London, to a family of English, Sri Lankan, Portuguese and Irish origins Nigel had planned on going to college to study medicine but his mother a former 'Miss Sri Lanka' entered him into a model search competition where he was a finalist and thus launched a successful modeling career spanning a decade. It was during this time that Nigel developed his passion for fashion and photography and in 1998 he made the leap to the other side of the lens. Nigel has been a judge on 'Americas Next Top Model' from the git go and this was its 8th season. He has coupled his photography and celebrity status into a very successful and lucrative career. While his work isn't exactly my cup of tea you got to hand it to him either way.

Here's to you Nigel Barker !