Thursday 21 April 2011

If you arm yourself only with a camera...


Tim Hetherington. Image courtesy of Frontline Club.

...you are most likely going to lose out in a war zone. Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros paid the ultimate price yesterday when they were hit by a targeted RPG/grenade/mortar attack in Libya.

I did not know either of them yet I have cried over their passing. The more I look at the interviews and images from these two men, the more I realise that this loss goes beyond merely two more dead in a far away war. I feel inadequate calling myself a photojournalist when I look at their work.

I've watched Tim's 1.5h appearance at the Frontline Club in full and if you were ever in doubt that photojournalists are mere button pressing monkeys, please take some time out and watch this clip from 2009. Few people are as well informed and eloquent as him. This is an extremely sad day for their families, a sad day for (some) of the people they documented and a big loss for photojournalism.

I've got nothing but respect for what you did with your lives. Rest in peace Tim and Chris.

Saturday 16 April 2011

Terry Scales



This is artist Terry Scales, 78, in his Greenwich home and studio. He's a lovely and humble man who has been painting scenes along the Thames since he was a boy and will soon have an exhibition at The Old Royal Naval College. Go see it!

"I remember making my first river painting in 1946 at the age of 13. It was in John Minton’s class at Camberwell School of Art. Ever since then I have seen the Thames as a constant source of ideas and challenging subject matter." Quote from his website.

You can also watch a piece on Terry from the BBC here.

Upcoming exhibition info here.