Format Exposure

Why you should be excited about the grand finale of FORMAT13

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:17:00 +0100

Photography

Art

Music

Eating

Drinking

Visual storytelling

Film…

…what’s there not to like about the grand finale of FORMAT?

Not only is there going to be a grand evening of entertainment at The Chocolate Factory in Derby, there’ll also be the premier of a performance by The Developer.

I’ve been up to the historic John Smedley factory at Lea Mills in the heart of Derbyshire to find out more about The Developer. Snuggled inside this amazing building were a bunch of musicians and filmmakers doing their stuff, including director Cally, who’s worked with the likes of U2, Robert Plant, Scissor Sisters and Bill Drummond…

The Developer was clearly going better than Cally was letting on. Composer John Parish was working with Belgian violist Catherine Graindorge and sound engineer Marco Tagliola to create new sounds for the grand finale, listening back again and again to see how they sounded…

Bring a dish for Saturday’s event and join in the pot luck dinner. Ticket details can be found on the FORMAT13 website here. Composer John Parish, long-time collaborator with PJ Harvey, is serving up a feast for your ears, mind you…

Meanwhile film maker Gavin Bush has been fighting the elements as he produces the visuals for the FORMAT13 grand finale. It’s a challenge he is loving…

So get your tickets for the grand finale of FORMAT13. A place where your eyes, ears and tastebuds will ALL be tickled.

Mark Saxby

Do Millionaires eat peas? (Inspired by MobFORMAT’s The...

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:35:17 +0100

Do Millionaires eat peas? (Inspired by MobFORMAT’s The Press - Treasure, at the Chocolate Factory)

By Stuart Baddiley

Millions, Billions and probably trillions of these little beauties end up in households up and down the country; the big question today is what makes them a national treasure?

My passion for peas has been from birth, they have been with me the whole way and been assisting me either through childhood arithmetic or through providing those essential vitamins and minerals that we get told so much about these days. Peas are around us; very much like trees we never see them, think about them nor rave about them. They are like oxygen, they are essential, they are invisible and they are undoubtedly super heroes.

These bundles of energy turn up in most homes up and down the country – fresh, frozen, tinned and even mixed in with other not so inspiring foods! Take comfort from knowing that you’re possibly eating the same dinner as the queen tonight or that famous celebrity you so want to meet who has just had a few peas with their pie. We strive to fit into society so passionately and the mighty pea is one that links us all so intrinsically.

Would our lives be different without them? I’ll have fish, chips and mushy carrots (just not the same) or maybe I’ll go for the Fish Fingers only to be told its Baked Beans or nothing. No more fantastic pea soups, no more peas in risotto’s, salad’s or curries and worst still no more pea jokes - What do you call an angry pea? Grum pea (boom boom)

So I say no to you Pea Haters, we need our nations treasure, stand up and Pea Counted (so couldn’t resist). Pea apart of something great, Pea proud of what Mother Nature has given you and promise to always pea loyal to our humble Pea.

So to Pea or not to Pea? THAT is the question.

Stuart Baddiley is a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers course and the owner of Restaurant Zest in Derby. You can find out more about FORMAT13 and the exhibits at The Chocolate Factory at www.formatfestival.com.

The Vanishing World of the Photograph Album

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:57:00 +0000

The Format 13 ‘Album Beauty’ exhibition in the Derby Quad Gallery is described as an ode to this vanishing art form, whose purpose apparently was to ‘document and display the mundane’ - the private reality of people’s lives.

Mundane or not, I found the exhibition most touching. One moves through a rather dated personal photograph album.

The subjects on the whole look self-conscious, and very carefully still for fear of wrecking the (expensive) film.

There are little boys in corduroy shorts, and girls with bows in their hair and puffed-sleeve dresses. There are baby pictures, and couples, cars and bikes. Most have no description at all, so very private.

These once proud possessions are all ‘found’ photos, taken from abandoned, long-forgotten family albums, bought from market stalls or car boot sales and curated by Erik Kessels

Ask anyone below the age of 40 if they have an album and they’ll probably assume you mean a Facebook album or just possibly a wedding or baby album which is both a record and just possibly an ostentatious desire to impress.

Nowadays our ‘reality’ is no longer private. It is brazenly public, viewed on YouTube, Facebook or Flickr, stored in the Cloud, buzzing around the ether like a swarm of flies.

The aim is to entertain, amuse or embarrass, reaching as many social media viewers as possible; or to show the world that one has actually been to Timbuktu, or Derby Quad.

Some of the older generations – my own husband for one - will still carefully document the mundane in albums, for the quiet and private delight of a few.

But private or public, where do these images eventually all end up? Either lost for ever on an outdated memory stick, or mouldering unseen in a junk shop.

So will our reality vanish too, whatever the art form…

Marion Fuller-Sessions is a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers workshop. The black and white photos above are taken from Marion’s family collection. To find out more about Erik Kessels Album Beauty, go to the FORMAT website.

Work at the Palace Of Toil Job Description: Maintenance and...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:49:00 +0000

Work at the Palace Of Toil

Job Description: Maintenance and Development Manager.

Perks of the job: Full package with health benefits; flexible shifts to suit; accessible location (on a main route); option to work from home; attractive pension scheme (the more you put in the more you get out); balanced, sustainable, stress free environment encouraged.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Who wouldn’t fancy a job like that? Well, truth be told, we can all gain employment at the Palace of Toil. You see this palace is an acu point. As part of the Traditional Chinese Medical system, it lies on the pericardium meridian: the internal energy line that relates to the protective outer covering of the heart. It helps the “Red Emperor” to maintain equilibrium, even in the presence of illness, emotional disturbance, overwork or injury.

Our point of interest is the eighth on the pericardium meridian. It has the Chinese name “Laogong”, the poetic English translation “The Palace of Toil” and the technically descriptive label “P8”. As a “place of coming and going” this energy gateway connects our inner selves with the external environment, allowing joy and love to enter.

Finding P8 is quite straightforward. Regular folks can make a fist and note where the tip of the middle finger meets the palm. For the medically minded, it’s between the second and third metacarpal bones, proximal to the matacarpo-phalangeal joint, in the depression of the radial side of the third metacarpal bone. With us humans being pretty symmetrical we have 2 pericardium channels and a Palace of Toil in each palm.

To work at The Palace you could use the sophisticated techniques of an acupuncturist. Alternatively, you can simply apply pressure or massage (small circling movements are very effective). There are no negative side effects associated with working at this point. Even those who know nothing of the Laogong can work there. Have you ever noticed anxious or stressed people wringing their hands? Even us sceptical westerners instinctively and intuitively understand the benefits of working at The Palace.

So, as you can see, anyone can work at The Palace of Toil. To start today, all you need is a little application…

Elly Swanson is a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers workshop. Her blog was inspired by MobFORMAT’s The Press - Work exhibition at The Chocolate Factory.

THE PERFECT WAY TO SPEND A FORMAT DAY

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:08:45 +0000

FORMAT13 at Quad, Derby, in just four seconds! from FORMAT Festival on Vimeo.

Want to see as much of the FORMAT International Photography Festival as possible but only have a day to do so? Then follow our handy guide below, complete with walking times and the occasional bus journey. You’ll be glad you made the effort!

Start your journey at QUAD with a look at all the amazing photos on display there, including Erik Kessel’s massive homage to the photo album. Above is a quick (and we mean quick!) preview of what you can see…

Turn left outside Quad and walk across Market Place to BPM on Sadlergate. FORMAT patron Brian Griffin wandered into this record shop and spotted his own album artwork. Now his covers, which include some famous names, is a BPM window display.

Walk to the end of Sadlergate and take a wander into Derby Museum and Art Gallery where you can see Brian’s amazing exhibition Still Waters and a host of other stunning displays including Andreas Meichsner’s sneak peak inside a product testing factory. Here’s one of our favourites:

Pop into St Werburgh’s Chapel across the road where you can see the work of Atsushi Fujiwara….

…and then take the nine minute walk to ArtsmithLive on Monk Street, home of the Daily Commutes Exhibition and more. Worth it to see images like this:

It can be a bit chilly in Artsmith so a brisk walk to Banks Mill on Bridge Street to warm yourself should be the next thing in order. Google maps says it only takes 15 minutes but we reckon you could do it faster… And there’s good reason to get there quickly, there is some amazing photography there…

… and an unusual chest of drawers… (we’re not going to reveal any more).

A nine minute walk will take you to the University of Derby’s Markeaton Campus where you will love the photography on display there – some of it will live with you forever…

Another nine minute (we like the number nine) walk takes you from the campus to Kedleston Road where you can catch the number 17A towards Allestree Farm Park shops. Five minutes (and 10 stops) later, get off the bus at Abbey Lane and walk over the weir to the historic Darley Mill. Photography like this….

…will make it worth the journey.

It’s back to the 17A and the 12 minute return trip back to Quad in the city centre. Grab a coffee in Quad café and it’s a (you guessed it) nine minute walk to The Chocolate Factory to conclude your adventures….

….the perfect way to finish a perfect day.

Check out more about the FORMAT International Photography Festival including our many other marvellous venues.

Photo copyrights owned by (top to bottom):

1) Brian Griffin

2) Andreas Meichsner

3) Curated by Atsushi Fujiwara

4) Debbie Cooper

5) Lauren Spencer

6) Petra Stridfeldt

7) Matthias Koch

8) Edward Burtynsky

9) MobFORMAT: The Press

Saddam Hussein, Leonard Cohen and Me The Format 13 photography...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:01:00 +0000

Saddam Hussein, Leonard Cohen and Me

The Format 13 photography festival in Derby provided a treat of a day last Saturday. The Photography Day hosted by The Guardian Picture Desk was entertaining, authoritative and fascinating in equal measure.

writes Sue Norgrove-Moore

It commenced with Roger Tooth talking us through the life of a national newspaper Picture Editor in 2013. Roger is Head of Photography at the Guardian – an organisation he joined in 1988. So not only does he have 25 years of experience, he was able to contrast how the role has changed in that time. Previously Roger would have approximately 300 pictures sent to him daily from which he would make his selection. They were all film, black and white and, if sent over the wire, often very low quality. Today he receives thousands of high quality pictures daily. He mentioned that his photographers lament the demise of black and white shots (having invested millions in colour presses, black and white images are rarely used – except in obituaries!).

Following Roger, Antonio Olmos took us through his perspective on freelancing, street photography and balancing commissioned work with his own photography projects. Antonio’s passion for photography shone through. His main role as a photojournalist encompasses portraiture of many famous people (including Leonard Cohen), as well as covering news stories around the world. But it was the joy he obviously feels for his job that drives him to the streets to photograph purely for his own pleasure. This enthusiasm was infectious and the audience asked so many questions that the lunch break was delayed! He finished with images from his project ‘The Landscape of Murder’. For the last two years he has travelled to photograph the environments within the M25 where murders have occurred. Sadly, he reflected that the majority of these are in poorer parts of the city.

After lunch, David Levene shared with us his views on portable lighting for editorial photography. In contrast to the previous speaker, David does not travel lightly. This was demonstrated with a photo of the inside of his estate car, packed full of lighting, backgrounds and soft boxes. Despite this, David still often has to work very quickly. He rarely has the time he would like with his famous sitters, but produces amazing results regardless.

Finally, Sean Smith (a Guardian staffer) shared his experiences of conflict photography. We saw some of his work from the current exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, Salford (including those iconic images of Saddam Hussein’s statue being pulled down). Much discussion ensued on the publication of powerful but graphic images of death and war and what was considered acceptable or not. It was fascinating to hear Sean’s story and get a glimpse of the reality of working in a war zone.

Altogether it was a brilliant day, spent in the company of guys who, despite being very experienced, still had an energy and enthusiasm for what they did. Who’d have thought that a day in Derby could have transported us to the world of the powerful, the famous and the humble and disadvantaged in equal measure?

Sue Norgrove-Moore is a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers course. Find out more about what’s happening at FORMAT here.

Suddenly my World Just Stopped By Stuart Baddiley Let me fill...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:45:00 +0000

Suddenly my World Just Stopped

By Stuart Baddiley

Let me fill you in, I’m an extremely novice blogger (so bear with me) looking to perfect his skills and was presented with a challenge to write a piece for the Format Festival, one of Derby’s most iconic and fantastic festivals (no pressure there then). I’ll be honest I’m super competitive and super proud of my home town, nothing would give me a better sense of achievement than finding the big story, the big angle or that photo that everybody would talk about for years to come.

To my absolute delight and surprise I found it, but sadly (for you) not a world beating, undiscovered talent or any Derby connection through so and so’s grandparents twice removed. This was so simple it was beautiful and best of all it’s all mine, my own sunshine, my own total selfish indulgence because out of the blue and for the first time in my 33 years living on this beautiful planet I found the most beautiful piece of art.

This picture brings history, memories, simplicity and hope. This is a picture from my childhood that a total stranger captured and one I would swear blind he was standing behind me on that day. It’s a picture that I haven’t been able to take my eyes off for days because it brings to me such happiness and probably answers my ‘what is your guilty pleasure question’ (Answer: 1980’s hit comedy Hi-Di-Hi).

The question that springs to my mind is would I feel like this should the world not be so technically advanced? A world so fast paced and unable to relate to the years when we were so technologically poor? I am humbled by my upbringing, the chance and the opportunity to be without, and to look back to see how far we have come. Were we happier back in the eighties or now in 2013?

You see the excitement comes from connecting with a picture, I’ve always been a great admirer of all things ‘pictorial’ but this is truly mesmerising and I’m so happy that it comes in the form of a picture that is technically so ugly, so pointless and so in the past. My excitement comes from the knowledge that if a photo like this can impact my life so dearly then there will be so many people who will like me discover a photo, a picture even a piece of art that pulls on the heart strings so fondly.

Whether through fate, through coincidence or through luck, I was in the right place at the very right time. I very much look forward to being in the right place at the right time for the rest of my life. Thank you Format Festival!

Stuart Baddiley is the owner of Restaurant Zest in Derby and a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers workshops.

Check out more about FORMAT13 and it’s Notes Home exhibition which features the postcard that Stuart fell in love with.

Is Reality Viewed Better on a Screen?

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:23:00 +0000

By Marion Fuller-Sessions

The Format 13 Festival is on in Derby at the moment, showcasing “a selection of the best of international photography in a diverse programme of exhibitions and events”.

As a non-photographer having enrolled on a Format 13 ‘Blogging for Photographers’ course at the Derby Quad, I felt at first compelled to justify my place until the truth dawned. How horribly old-fashioned! Everyone these days, from those barely out of nappies, is a photographer. You don’t even have to possess a camera. All you need is a mobile phone.

Wherever you go, people aren’t actually looking at the stately home, the match or the celebrity; the truth is that for generations of telly watchers and computer owners reality is viewed on a screen.

I followed a group of Japanese teenagers the other day as they romped through Chatsworth giggling nonstop as they photographed each other in front of every painting, sculpture or magnificent view. Chatsworth was nothing more than a backdrop for their photos.

And everyone will surely remember the 2012 Olympics parade when each country’s competitors paraded interminably (after what seemed like hours we’d still only got to Cambodia)) their iPhones aloft, photographing everyone photographing them.

And finally, where do all their photographs go? That’s quite a thought. They’ll go onto Twitter, onto Facebook, onto a memory stick and then eventually be lost or deleted.

Hopefully some of these photographers will become Photographers, taking an artistic delight and pride in their work and giving pleasure to many. Their pictures will be mounted, displayed, exhibited and no doubt even used as a backdrop…

Marion Fuller-Sessions is the owner of Tom’s Barn and Douglas’ Barn holiday cottages in Derbyshire and is a participant on FORMAT13’s Blogging for Photographers workshop.

Find out more about FORMAT13.

A Child's Eye View of The Chocolate Factory

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:20:00 +0000

Kate using her pink princess camera to capture the moment

Do children and photography festivals mix? I had searched through the FORMAT Photography Festival’s programme for somewhere to take Sam, eight, and six-year-old Kate while mum was on a girls’ weekend away. I plumped for The Chocolate Factory.

It was pretty quiet when we first arrived and I took the opportunity to walk Sam and Kate through the vast main hall lined with large photographs. The children were initially interested in the images as I pointed out some of the bits I thought might grab them. But their walk around the hall got quicker and quicker as the photos became darker and more industrial.

The Human Printer stopped Sam and Kate in their tracks. Two young women were following the same process as a digital printer - but dotting by hand. The children were intrigued.

Then into The Press. Mobile phone photographs taken by FORMAT fans were being printed onto sticky-backed paper. Sam and Kate loved pasting the images around the room and photographer Misho Baranovic also took time to chat with Sam.

“I liked sticking up pictures - especially in funny places,” enthused Sam. “Misho said he liked where I stuck up the photos, like the post with the projector on and on his seat!”

A quick scoot through the next exhibition, with a ‘look at that!’ from Sam upon seeing David Welch’s photos of boxes piled impossibly high on a shopping trolley, then behind a curtain into the darkness.

Children are impossible to predict. I never would have guessed that my six-year-old daughter would be most excited by images of bronze pendants from Mexico put behind glass and lit up in a dark room. She wanted to see the room again and again.

“I really liked the bronze things in the dark room,” said Kate. “And I liked the flowers with the brush in [PutPut - Inflorescence]. I also liked taking a photo and putting it in the computer [Derby at Work project].”

After making human shapes on the People’s Zoetrope, it was time to go. Our two hours of parking money had run out. I thought we would be in The Chocolate Factory for an hour. It just shows how wrong you can be about photography and kids.

Mark Saxby

Check out other ways you can take part in FORMAT13. And have you seen our education packs to help you get even more inspired about the festival!

For full listings of what’s happening at FORMAT 13, visit the FORMAT website.

FORMAT 13 LAUNCHES IN FIRE AND ACROBATICS

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:05:00 +0000

“This is the best technical exhibition of digital photography in the world” said renowned photographer Brian Griffin as he excitedly announced the official opening of his Still Waters exhibition for 2013’s FORMAT International Photography Festival.

Hundreds of people swarmed into Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Quad and a host of other venues to see the amazing photography on offer at last night’s launch. From portraits to seaside postcards to photos found at Auschwitz, the variety of styles of images was breathtaking.

And ‘breathtaking’ was the word used at the launch event on Cathedral Green earlier in the evening. A path of fire led towards the site of the world’s first factory while coloured images were projected onto The Silk Mill where the industrial revolution was in full flow nearly 300 years ago. After all, the theme of FORMAT13 is Factory!

Then the amazing Elemental Force went into full gear. Dates relating to Derby’s Industrial past went up in lights before the pyrotechnics kicked in. Then, amazing acrobatics in the sky before the lights announced “FORMAT13 is now open”. The rush to get out of the rain to see the amazing exhibitions began…

Find out more about FORMAT13 at our website, ‘like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or watch our amazing videos, including some from the launch.

10 great real ale pubs in Derby

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:06:00 +0000

The Lonely Planet dubbed Derby “the best place to drink real ale in the world” and with good reason too! Derby has more beers on offer per population than anywhere else in Britain and with a host of breweries based in the city, there’s no danger of not being able to enjoy a local tipple. So while you’re in Derby for the FORMAT International Photography Festival why not experience some of the city’s watering holes? Here’s ten of our suggestions of where to drop in for a pint:

1. The Exeter Arms. Winner of Best Pub in the Derby Food and Drink awards and CAMRA’s Derby pub of the year, this cosy and traditional Exeter Street venue has a traditional look and stocks beers from the local Dancing Duck brewery. It serves good food too!

2. The Flowerpot. In a recent survey, the King Street pub had a whopping 18 real ales on offer. No need for a pub crawl if you base yourself here.

3. The Brunswick. Sited on Railway Terrace just yards from Derby’s train station, this 1842 building is a rabbit warren which brews its own beer. A no-frills pub for those who like their beer without distraction.

4. Mr Grundy’s Tavern. Another one which brews its own real ale, this Georgian House Hotel is on the famous “Derby Mile”, a stretch of road on which there are no shortage of pubs.

5. The Greyhound. An historic grade 2 building dating back to 1734, this Friar Gate pub is a stone’s throw from Mr Grundy’s and owned by the Derby Brewing Company, another popular local brewer.

6. Ye Olde Dolphin Inne. Derby’s oldest pub on Queen Street claims it’s haunted. But then you shouldn’t be thinking about spirits when you’re drinking beer.

7. The Falstaff. Known as The Folly, the pub is a former coach house and is packed with brewery memorabilia. Located on Silver Hill Road, it also brews its own beer.

8. The Furnace. Refurbished and stocked with real ales, including plenty of guests, this Duke Street hostelry was opened by former credit analysis Pedro Menon. It also brews beer under the name, The Shiny Brewing Company.

9. The Abbey. Set in beautiful Darley Abbey on the banks of the River Derwent in the old travellers’ rest building of a former Augustinian Abbey, this pub comes complete with spiral staircase and plenty of atmosphere.

10. The Little Chester Ale House. The “smallest pub in Derby” is housed in a former dry cleaners. If you want to sit cheek-by-jowel with the regulars while you sup your real ale this is the place to come.

There are many more great pubs in Derby. Which are your favourite places to drink real ale in the city? And check out what’s happening at the FORMAT International Photography Festival at www.formatfestival.com

Welcome to The Chocolate Factory at FORMAT13! Marketing director...

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:26:01 +0000

Welcome to The Chocolate Factory at FORMAT13! Marketing director Adam Buss tells us what’s in store for The Chocolate Factory as part of the FORMAT International Photography Festival.

Uncollectables: A Museum of Being. By Lauren Spencer at FORMAT...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:17:00 +0000

Uncollectables: A Museum of Being. By Lauren Spencer at FORMAT International Photography Festival.

www.formatfestival.com

Andy Lock talks about the inspiration for his exhibition at the...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:14:00 +0000

Andy Lock talks about the inspiration for his exhibition at the University of Derby for the FORMAT International Photography Festival. More at www.formatfestival.com.

FORMAT International Photography Festival launch at Derby...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:11:00 +0000

FORMAT International Photography Festival launch at Derby Cathedral

More at www.formatfestival.com

Andy Lock preparing “Workshops: 2010-2012” at the...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:10:00 +0000

Andy Lock preparing “Workshops: 2010-2012” at the University of Derby for FORMAT13

More at www.formatfestival.com

Interview with Manik Katyal, founder of Emaho Magazine

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:36:00 +0000

FORMAT International Photography Festival recently interviewed Emaho Magazine founder Manik Katyal about Emaho, the state of photography in India and what to expect from them in the near future.

Let’s start with a few questions about you Manik. Tell us your background? When did you get involved with photography?

Well, I come from a financial background. Having completed my bachelors in commerce, I was doing my chartered accountancy and pursuing photography side by side. Learning different things had always fascinated me, so, along with my chartered accountancy I did project marketing for couple of months with Mitsubishi Electric in Delhi. Right after marketing, I worked with a lifestyle channel – NDTV Goodtimes, gaining substantial exposure. Alongside I had been organising my solo shows of photography by the name of ‘JIVA’.

Even before I started understanding photographs, I was very intrigued about the impact photographs would leave upon me. It was sometime in the 2^nd year of my college during which I realised I really enjoyed taking pictures. Not being able to afford a camera back then, I would toy around with the phone’s camera. September 2009 was when a café gallery in Delhi gave me a chance to exhibit my first body of work. The body of work that was exhibited included images from my past travels. The encouragement that I received from my maiden exhibit prompted me to focus more on my art and I geared up to work towards it. The exhibit earned me enough revenue to get a basic DSLR and from then on started the journey to express my passion better.

When did your journey with Emaho begin? Tell us more about what Emaho is all about?

Being a photographer myself, it was in June 2011 when it dawned on me that there would be so many talented photographers who are looking for an organisation/platform to promote them, then was born Emaho. Taking forward what began as a passion and celebrating creativity, Emaho is not just a magazine but aims to be a whole platform where we as an organisation promote, exhibit and educate an artist. At Emaho, we cover Travel, Music, Art and Photography although the latter plays a pivotal role.

You’ve spoken before about the lack of opportunities for young, talented photographers. How does Emaho act as a platform for them? How important do you feel it is to champion this talent?

Looking at it from a broader perspective, it is not just India but Asia as whole where there are not many publications with strong ethnic values or publication driven by a vision. There are not too many opportunities for emerging and well deserving talent. There are so many emerging photographers, musicians, writers and so on, but a dearth of platforms to exhibit their talent or elevate them. I felt the same before starting up Emaho so I try and play my part as much as I can.

I recently got back from Cambodia where I was attending Ankor Photo Festival and I was having the same discussion with a Chinese curator and a friend, Wang Xi about the need for a strong publication which particularly aims at promotion of photography as a whole. With many others, he completely agreed and we have together been formulating some really interesting ideas to work toward it.

In fact I am getting in touch with more and more curators from Asia and working to form collaborations where we work together to showcase some very fresh and strong work from Asia. Big support to Emaho, Yumi Goto and I are co-curating an exhibition at Chiang Mai Documentary Festival, Thailand where the focus in on the contemporary work done on Kashmir. The aim of this exhibition is to promote photography in Kashmir and the lack of platform and no exposure to local photographers led me to take this initiative.

At Emaho, our focus is to provide a strong platform, and conduct workshops, kindling the much required exposure. Emaho not only acts as a medium of publication but is a whole package in itself. And it is very important to champion this talent as a lot of publications will never promote/publish certain kind of creative talent until they find a commercial value to it. Bringing worthy talent to the fore altruistically is what makes Emaho stand apart.

How do you feel the state of photography is in India, especially after seeing a boom over the last 5-10 years? How has the photographic community changed or expanded?

The state of photography has always been good in the country; it is just that it was never highlighted much. The recent surge in photography is playing a crucial role in spreading awareness, not only about images but much more than that. It may be socio/political issues, or daily life. The recent boom is responsible for making photography so much more accessible to everyone. Gone are the days, where photography was only a medium of artistic expression and confined only to art galleries.

There was a time when in India, countable photographers represented the nation’s photography but I am personally so glad to see the evolution of photography in the country. There are so many more emerging photographers who are working on very interesting body of work, people are actually considering photography to be much more than just a passion.

I had recently interviewed Christian Caujolle who is presently one of the most important curators in the world and also the founder of Agency VU. During my interview, I asked him what he thought of photography in India and this is what he had to say;

‘India is difficult, India has a lot of interesting photographers but its difficult to find them but by chance I have friends who send me links and email because as there is no festival as there is no structure I would say, the country is enormous of course its not easy to know exactly the scene in India’ – Christian Caujolle

This is why I completely believe that more initiatives are required to get Indian photography on the forefront. The world knows that India has a lot of interesting photographers but they need to be promoted and highlighted. With Photography, the community has also evolved. Very few but yes, some senior photographers have made themselves more accessible, which includes proper guidance and direction in photography. There are more exhibits happening and lectures on photography. Mostly in metro cities, young photographers get to attend lectures/photo talks, which obviously was bleak in the past but it needs to reach out to a bigger audience and out of the city maps.

It is still a community which is getting stronger but needs a lot of attention. Last year India also hosted its first photo festival – Delhi Photo Festival which was a remarkable project taken up by Nazar Foundation and next in line this year we have festivals coming up in Delhi as well as Mumbai. Therefore, I feel the photography community is expanding, pumped by the honest initiatives taken by young and senior photographers both.

Can you tell us a bit about your recent international exhibition POST that occurred earlier this year?

In February 2012, Emaho exhibited a group show of 50 young photographers from more than 20 countries. POST – Photography on Street & Travel had its open call announced in December and in less than 2 months we had received app. 4500 submissions. Being a very young organisation, it was very difficult to host an international exhibition without any kind of support – including no funding of any kind. But with my team’s ability, we were able to organise an interesting exhibit of 50 young photographers thereby earning the support from all over.

Emaho and FORMAT have a collaborative relationship and have recently formed the Emaho Award, which will give a selected EXPOSURE artist a feature and future exhibition. How do you see this team up?

One of the reasons why we guys are working together is because we share same ideologies; just have different ways of doing it. I am really excited about this collaboration as this would open many more doors for Emaho and FORMAT to tap into more talented photography and build a good relationship by working together.

Are you looking forward to the next edition of the festival?

Yes, really looking forward to the festival. It feels great to be invited by the festival to do a portfolio reviews for the fellow photographers. I am expecting to see some really interesting bodies of work at the next edition and meet many more interesting photographers.

What’s next for Emaho? Any exciting projects on the horizon?

Emaho is in dialogue with Pathshala South Asian Media Academy, South Asia’s premier institute of photography situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Emaho will be announcing the Emaho Photography Grant 2013 which will sponsor the education of one student from south Asia, each year.

Recently Emaho also collaborated with Reminders Photography Stronghold based out of Tokyo, Japan. I on behalf of Emaho, was judging for the Reminders Project Grant. Emaho ideates to carry forward initiatives to promote photography in and around Asia as well as globally.

February 2013, as part of its second international photography exhibition after Post Singapore 2012 Emaho Magazine, in collaboration with Documentary Arts Asia together will present a showcase of contemporary work on the theme ‘Kashmir’ by local and international photographers at the Chiang Mai Documentary Arts Festival, Thailand between 8^th and 14^th February 2013. The international photographers participating in the exhibition include Ami Vitale (National Geographic, Ripple Effect Images), Robert Nickelsberg (TIME Magazine), John Vink (Magnum Photos) Gary Knight (VII Photo Agency) and Sami Siva (Redux Pictures) amongst the local photographers from Kashmir are Danish Ismail(Reuters), Showkat Nanda and Sumit Dayal. The main focus of this exhibition is to promote photography in Kashmir.

Where do you want Emaho to be in five years?

I had founded Emaho with a vision to create a strong platform so that we can promote more well deserving and emerging artists from all of Asia and otherwise. I hope that we are able to achieve our goal with the support of like minded organisations. Right now we are working with limited resources but we would like to work on many more initiatives to play an important role in the growth of Asian art scene as a whole.

Check out the brilliant work Emaho and Manik do here. Manik Katyal will be a reviewing at FORMAT’s Portfolio Review day during FORMAT13. Details can be found here.

Fantastic work from Nottingham local David Severn. His series...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:49:18 +0000

Fantastic work from Nottingham local David Severn. His series ‘Thanks Maggie’ explores the reinvented uses of ex colliery sites in and around the former coal mining stronghold of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Very interesting work that you’ll be able to see at FORMAT13..

© David Severn / www.cargocollective.com/davidsevern

Brilliant work from Caroline McNally, another EXPOSURE artist...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:30:35 +0000

Brilliant work from Caroline McNally, another EXPOSURE artist exhibiting at FORMAT13. This series is titled ‘Earth is Room Enough’.

© Caroline McNally / www.carolinemcnally.com

Portfolio Reviews at FORMAT13

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:47:15 +0000

Bookings will open at the beginning of January. Please keep an eye on the website for more info.

Thank you for your interest in the Portfolio Reviews. Please read all the information carefully before making a booking.

FORMAT13 Portfolio Reviews will take place on the 9^th of March 2013 in Derby. FORMAT has carefully selected 45* International Experts in the field of photography, from 15 countries around the globe, to Review at the Festival. This is the biggest Portfolio Review FORMAT will ever have hosted and currently the biggest International Portfolio Review in the country. Do not miss out on having your work reviewed by some of the biggest names in Photography. Places are limited, so book your place now to avoid disappointment! Great discounts and prizes also available for those who book.

The Portfolio Reviews are aimed at professional photographers with a developed and serious approach to their work. Recent graduates and non-professionals are welcome. Please contact Seb at portfolio@formatfestival.com for any queries.

This year, we have devised a new booking system so that reviews can be booked online. This system allows you to choose your own reviews and Reviewers. It is a first come first served basis. You can view and select the slots you want. Please note, your reviews are not confirmed till you have paid.

We advise you look through the Reviewers and make a list of at least 10 that you would like to see, in the order you would like to see them so that you are prepared when you book.

Cost - £195 (No concessionary rates and No Refunds).

This includes:

· 5 reviews, 20 minutes each between 9.30am – 3.45pm on Saturday 9^th March 2013.

· A place in the ‘Portfolio Factory’ which will take place after the Reviews (approx 4.30pm – 6pm tbc). Photographers set up their work on a table and the Public, Reviewers and VIP Guests are invited to walk around, talk to you and view your work. The Portfolio Factory is not compulsory, but we advise you do consider taking part.

FORMAT have teamed up with photography specialists around the UK to offer these exclusive discounts for photographers who have booked (more offers TBC):

· 20% off all printing/mounting/framing at Genesis Imaging.

· Discount at Johnsons Photopia Ltd – Billingham bags and other items available (this list will be sent to you after you register)

· 25% discount on all rental equipment at The Flash Centre in Birmingham and London stores. Other deals on lighting available on an individual basis, depending on requirements.

In the evening after the Portfolio Factory, FORMAT will host the FORMAT Awards. All photographers booked for the review are nominees. Most of the awards will be judged by the Reviewers. Some of the award winners will be chosen at random. Prizes include (more prizes TBC):

· One free place at the Reviews (you will have to book and will be given your money back after the Festival)

· A Portfolio of up to 20 prints personally printed by Mark Foxwell at Genesis Imaging (T&C’s apply)

· A Billingham Hadley Pro Bag (worth £190) from Johnsons Photopia Ltd

· 3 Award Vouchers from Blurb

· A £250 John E Wright voucher for all services including photographic printing and a wide range of office supplies.

*subject to change

Please download and read the Reviewers profiles on our website, before you book.

In preparation for the review here are a few useful links from our friends online:

http://blog.photoshelter.com/2012/05/7-myths-about-portfolio-reviews-debunked/

http://hotshoeblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/photo-tips-portfolio-reviews-advice-comments-and-tips-from-photographers-and-reviewers/

http://palmspringsphotofestival.com/community/about/attending-portfolio-reviews-by-mary-virginia-swanson/

http://lauraannnoble.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/preparing-for-portfolio-review.html