Lights, camera, action

Anders Petersen donates his part of the project “From back home” to Fotografiska, the new photographic museum in Stockholm, opening in May 2010.

Åmells in Stockholm runs a retrospective show of Hans Gedda’s pictures (24 May - 27 June). One of my favourite Swedish photographers of the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Wong Kar Wai is a favourite filmmaker, not the least because of the look of “In the mood for love” and “2046″ with their great photography by Christopher Doyle - wonderful bokeh - and knock-out aesthetics - the shirts! the ties! the dresses! the haircuts! the shoes! the rainy streets! the cigarettes!

That is one reason why it is interesting to check out Wing Shya, a photographer based in Hong Kong who beside fashion and similar stuff has been shooting on several Wong Kar Wai filmsets. His homepage is here.

[via Asian Photography Blog.]

Yet another class-conscious project from Martin Parr: “Luxury”

for his new series ‘luxury’, which is being premiered at the haus der kunst, the award-winning artist photographed fashion shows, horse races as well as art and luxury fairs in international locations such as dubai, durban or moscow – but also munich’s oktoberfest. in ‘luxury’ the international jet-set can be observed how they proudly present the regalia of new money and opulence. using the means of the grotesque, parr is consistent in addressing the phenomenon of a new international upper class following his earlier projects on the working and middle class.

Sounds really interesting. It is shown at Haus der Kunst, München 7 maj - 17 augusti.

Read more here.

An article on WH Auden mentioned the author’s interest in photography (Nicholas Jenkins, “Historical as Munich - Auden at 100: Who is he now?”, TLS 9 February 2007, 12-15). I would like to read more about that, and see some of his pictures; there is a resemblance between the precise literary expression, and photography.

Generally, it is interesting with a passion for photography in people that, while not being ‘real photographers’, are good at something else.

A parallel case that has been discussed recently is the photography of Sammy Davis, Jr. Here are 18 of his pictures, including good portraits of Tony Curtis and a self portrait. (Found via this thread at RFF, which also has more backround information.)

Jonathan Elderfield has a great portfolio with pictures from Chicago. I really like this kind of street photography; so much better than some of the boring staged diorama-style that pass as “art photography”. A collection of his Chicago pictures is exhibited at the CUE art foundation, NYC, 26 April-2 June.

It’s nice not being in love with photography … You have to be very, very careful …… not hiding behind the technique and the camera, the tool … Every photographer is a voyeur …

Lens culture publish several new pictures by Anders Petersen (2005-2006), as well as an interview (18 minutes).

One of the masters of twentieth-century photography, Czech-born Josef Koudelka has made a unique contribution to the language of photography with his eloquent and transformative images that stand outside time and place. Coinciding with the publication of his stunning new monograph Koudelka (Aperture, March 2007), Aperture Gallery is proud to host a rare intimate conversation between Koudelka, art critic and writer Vicki Goldberg, and an audience of fans. This is an unprecedented and unique opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the photography world’s living legends.

Conversation and booksigning with Josef Koudelka at Aperture foundation, New York, 5 April.

Simon Roberts has travelled extensively in Russia. His exhibition, “Motherland”, will be shown at the Photofusion Gallery, London, 13 April - 25 May; the book has recently been published, check out its website for pictures and more information. A number of prints are for sale at the The Photographer’s Galler Print Sales.

Great work.