Peacebuilding a shared Northern Irish society
René Magritte was the first artist that I identified with -- particularly his sense of humour yet thought provoking presentations of surrealism. One of my favourites paintings of his -- and one of his more famous ones -- is Ceci n'est pas une pipe, because literally it is not a pipe; it is an image... Continue Reading →
Women of Vision accompanies a travelling exhibition of the same title, curated by National Geographic. Both celebrate the work of eleven inspiring female photojournalists, featuring nearly 100 images, ranging from social issues, effects of war, and changes in our natural habitats. Renowned American news journalist, Ann Curry, begins the foreword with words, “Henri Cartier-Bresson, considered... Continue Reading →
The British Life Photography Awards: Portfolio 1 is a catalogue book of the winners and finalists of an inaugural event "to capture and share" the perspectives of photographers from all walks of life. The inspiration for the contest comes from the "amazing democratisation" of photography in the 21st century. Homer Sykes, a self-described documentary photographer... Continue Reading →
I have not studied photography formally, but take solace that many of the 100 photographers featured in this thorough volume of the urban landscape and its people have learned their craft from the harsh realities of the street. Nevertheless I may be utterly under-qualified to provide a meaningful critique of this very considered book, The... Continue Reading →
God can sanctify photography. With a poem by Pope Leo XIII, Colin Ford explains the basis for how Irish Jesuit Frank Browne acquired a camera from his bishop uncle, at the age of 17, and kept making images throughout his priestly life. Browne took his camera everywhere. His early trips to Europe were the apparent... Continue Reading →
I always wanted this book, Eyewitness: Four Decades of Northern Life, by Brendan Murphy, but the original cover price of £30 was a little steep for me. Thankfully, the Bookshop at Queen's has it discounted to £8. I only had to wait 6 years. It is a brilliant book. Murphy's photographs may not be the... Continue Reading →