Gratuitously painterly header image.
Continued from part one. Read on…
The Q&A post: answers, part II
May 17, 2015 by
The Q&A post: answers, part I
May 15, 2015 by
Jazz time – put some music on. This is going to be a loooong post.
From an earlier post where I opened the floor to the readers, here are the answers. There were some enjoyable ones in there I really had to think hard about; I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of questions submitted, but decided to answer pretty much everything with the exception of speculative or ‘what should I buy’ posts about equipment. There is no way to answer these meaningfully without understanding the output objectives and skill level of the person wielding it; give a skilled photographer anything and it’s possible to make a compelling image, there is also the recommended gear list, and if it’s not on there, then there’s probably a reason.
Photoessay: Tokyo cityscapes
May 13, 2015 by
Skyline
We’re nearing the end of the images from the last trip to Tokyo. Today’s images are a continued evolution of the urban theme into something a bit more widespread; an attempt to capture the combined endless scale and whimsy of Tokyo. There are bits you might find surprising and challenging to your preconceptions of Japan – anything with space or trees or emptiness, for instance – but that’s the whole point, isn’t it? It is me giving in to my endless fascination for man-made light, texture and reflection in complementary colours. Enjoy! MT
This series was shot with a Nikon D810, D750, 24/3.5 PCE, 45/2.8P, Zeiss 1.4/85 Otus and Voigtlander 180/4 APO-Lanthar and processed with PS Workflow II; you can also travel vicariously to Japan with How To See Ep.2: Tokyo.
New Ultraprint offer: Motion at Rest, Venetian Cinematics 2
May 11, 2015 by
Motion at rest – 15×12″, edition of 20
The next two images on offer are from Venice; after a decent amount of sitting time, the proofs are definitely something that I’d like to have on my own wall. Motion at rest is a study in contrasts between hard and soft light and forms; it is identifiably Venice without being a cliche. Venetian Cinematics 2 is all about the red umbrella: that transient instant of passing a stranger in a rainy alleyway where you perhaps register their presence but not at a particularly conscious level; later on you may stop and wonder what might have been. It is in essence the intrigue of the city at the human level.
Read on for more information and to order. I’ve also got a Hanoi Cinematic Masterclass (21-26 July inclusive) which is open for registration – click here to book and for more information.
WCSC Photography Competition 2015
May 10, 2015 by
Just a little heads up for the Malaysian urban and architectural photographers in the audience today: I’ve been asked by a friend of mine to judge a photography competition run by the World Class Sustainable Cities conference for 2015. The theme is ‘Urban Regeneration Through Smart Partnerships’. There are two categories for >18 years and here, and information on previous conferences here. Good luck! MT
On Assignment Photoessay: Abstraction in the machine
May 9, 2015 by
Today’s photoessay is something a little different: the curated results from an assignment last year where I had an open creative brief; I was to document and photograph everything and anything at the given locations. The client was a heavy engineering/ construction company with everything going on from schools to subways to airports; it was both one of the most interesting assignments I’ve undertaken as well as one of the most satisfying – and simultaneously challenging.
Some of these images will be part of the larger exhibition in Hong Kong in June, so if you’re around, please come and say hello.
Photographic detox, part two
May 7, 2015 by
Part two: get creative (continued from part one)
The camera companies and retailers are going to hate me for writing this, because it’s not going to sell any more equipment. If you were hoping for a quick solution that involves a credit card, I’m sorry too – there is no substitute to better photographs other than hard work. But this doesn’t mean it can’t be fun or creatively liberating – after all, isn’t that one of the key reasons we shoot at all?
Photographic detox, part one
May 6, 2015 by
And now, for something a little different. We all fall into creative ruts occasionally, and we can all benefit from a little reboot from time to time. Think of it as the closest we’re going to get to a creative diet plan of sorts. It doesn’t involve more fibre, or workouts, or stairs, or eating things that might look healthy but taste terrible. I promise not to make you develop your own film, though you certainly can if you want. Read on if you want to tighten your photo-chops.
My first exhibition of 2015: ‘Connection’, at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in conjunction with Chun Wo Development
May 4, 2015 by
I am very pleased to announce my first exhibition of 2015, in partnership with Chun Wo Development of Hong Kong: Connection. The theme is “constructing bonds to improve life”, and it features a body of work that is largely documentary in nature which celebrates the efforts and labours of the workers who create the places in which we as people live and work. They are more than buildings or roads; they are enablers that bring people together and provide a conducive environment to build relationships with others – the connection. It features my work on 102 large canvas prints made by printmaster Wesley Wong, some of which are up to 6x9ft in size, together with a special contribution by fellow photographer and company chairman Derrick Pang. The purpose of the exhibition is both a showcase as well as a charitable effort in support of LifeWire, Chun Wo’s children’s medical foundation, and the Hong Kong Construction Workers’ Charity Fund. There will be a charity auction of one-off signed prints during the opening night, and individuals or organisations may sponsor a print (please contact me for details). The exhibition will run from 11-17 June at the Pao Galleries, 4/5th fl, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai. I will be in attendance for most of the days, so if you’re around, please drop by and say hello! MT [Read more…]
The Q&A post: ask me anything! (form now closed.)
May 3, 2015 by
At the suggestion of one of my readers, I’m going to try something a little different for today: Ask Me Anything, and I mean literally, anything – photographic or otherwise. There’s a question submission form after the jump which will be open for a few days; and at the end of it I’ll pick the most interesting questions to answer in detail. These will then be published in a future post. One caveat though: I won’t be answering any ‘what should I buy’ or equipment speculation type questions, because they are meaningless. MT
Update, 8 May: After receiving an overwhelming number of entries, the form is now closed.
