I’m moving the blog to my website IP - the blog is now here

I’ve managed to import the content. The template is still pretty basic but I’ll sort things out bit by bit.

The reasons for moving are that I had a bit of a scare when I first offered the small print editions, as I was quickly told it would violate my conditions of service here at wordpress and I could loose the blog - even though despite searching the ‘conditions of service’ I couldn’t find anything in it I could be violating

. I really disliked the ‘bigbrother’ feeling I got from that encounter. Also it makes sense to install the blog at my IP as all the images and content are linked to from there. I’m having to pay for the ability to modify the css, whereas the blog software is free.

I had a nightmare time with Movable Type. I didn’t do the install, but this is the most impenetrable piece of software known to humankind. The documentation looks as if it has been written by someone who hasn’t had human contact or been away from the computer for decades. The kicker was that there is as yet no smooth import from WordPress to MT, although it is promised for v4.

WordPress, on the other hand, I installed in 15 mins, and had the whole of the old site imported in a further 10. Documentation is wonderful!

A reworking of Exotic 7

Paul is having a damaged print sale.

A good opportunity to get a print that, once framed, will be as good as a pristine one.

Kevin Bjorke reacquainted me with Harvey Benge yesterday (web here and blog here)

I came across Harvey a few years ago, and even bought a couple of his books ‘A Guide to Modern Living’ and ‘Vital Signs’.

As well as really liking the pics I was also very intrigued at how he chose to organise the pics in his projects. In ‘Vital Signs’, he organises the images into chapters based on medical vital signs. Level of Consciousness, Body Temperature, Circulation, Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Eye Reaction.

His choice of this structure was based around a desire to show what it is like for him to ‘be alive’ in a belief that how you construct the landscape around you is as much a ‘vital sign’ of ‘being’ as medical terms.

Now, whilst I might agree or not with the philosophy here, the attempt at organising a project is an interesting one.

What I’d missed from not checking his website often enough, is that he has moved from this approach to creating composites - something anyone who knows me is aware I’m keenly interested in.

I’m more than a little frustrated that I can’t find any text on any of these new projects, so I guess I need to buy some more books! Without the text I’m left with something that I’m very keenly aware is a keypoint of composites - ‘can I work out the relationships of the images without a supporting text?’ Unfortunately, no, I can’t - and this not a failure of Harvey’s just a facet of this strategy. But I can get lost in these images and construct all sorts of meanings - I can encounter these works and come away with something new. Something that for me is a key factor in an artistic experience. Can I play with these, am I a partner in this encounter with the artwork or is my role limited to agreeing with whatever point the artist is trying to make?

I’m very intrigued by these and will be getting a couple of more books - he has even had the back of his head photographed by Nartin Parr, what more can I say!

Baaaaaaaaad day today. Got caught in a thunderstorm, so wasted most of the day. Came back to find I’d forgotten to toggle the ‘raw’ switch and have a card full of lo-res jpegs. Not a set, but 8 pics from today.

But lunch was good… congrejo con caracoles…

My worktable is filled with small work prints that I’m experimenting with, finding different ways of combining them. Whilst a lot of the sitges pics were shot as raw material for combinations or constructions, I’m quite surprised by how well they work as singles. Small set here.

Every year, I shoot in the coastal town of Sitges, about 45 mins by train from Barcelona. Here is a small set.

Tim Atherton is back from holidays and is offering a new print as part of his small editions. Get ‘em while you can.

UPDATE.

Tim also has the series from which this image is taken online

It is against the Spanish constitution to ‘mock’ the royal family (gasp).

This is the cover of the latest issue of ‘El Jueves’ the Spanish equivalent to ‘Private Eye’ featuring the Prince and and Princess of Asturias commenting on the latest govt initiative to pay couples for having children to help combat the negative birthrate…

The magazine has been pulled from the stands by judicial order, and the artist is facing a legal challenge with the possibility of a stay in prison… more here.

Conservative woman’s groups sya it is not a ‘comfortable’ position for her…

Update… that link is bad because the webpage and magazine have now been shut down…

Update…

This was posted as a response to photographer Ed Nixon’s series ‘Blackbird’.

To see Ed’s Blackbird work, go here

Bear in mind the last time a train track was constructed under Barcelona (last year) half a neighbourhood disappeared into the resulting hole

I’ve been indulging myself in some random, ‘walking around’ shooting…. a small set here

If anyone is suffering in 33deg (C) city heat and wants me to release this as a 25×100 edition let me know!

Long day yesterday, hence had breakfast in my local bar. This place is famous as being the hang out of writers and artists from the Franco period - not so now (but hey, I was there!)!

Had a migraine yesterday, ao only managed a couple of snaps whilst going to the chemist…