Eureka Young Photographer of the Year Awards

I am delighted to announce that I have been shortlisted in the first Eureka Young Photographer of the Year Awards. The Times exclusive Eureka Magazine is dedicated to science, life and the environment. Their first Young Photographer of the Year Awards set a challenge for younger readers to engage with science by creating original photography and film that would help to make science, technology and the environment come alive. I am very proud to say that I am one of those photographers and have had my work selected to be exhibited this June at the Royal Institution alongside the 11 other shortlisted contestants. Click here to view the full shortlist and read more about the award/exhibition.

IdeasTap Magnum Photos Award Screening

On Monday night I attended the official screening of The IdeasTap Photographic Award Final at Magnum Photos London. My work ‘Temples’, alongside the other finalists, was shown to some of the industry’s top dogs and the overall winners of the award were announced. Unfortunately I was not one of them. Though I can’t say I am too surprised, my work just ain’t Magnum…and I’m British. Nonetheless I had a great time, met some fantastic people and got very drunk. Here are some pictures from the night taken by brilliant photographer Ambra Vernuccio:

On a side note I have been thinking a lot lately about the role of the photographer as artist or journalist. I stumbled upon a discussion on Conscientious.com which I feel summed up the current divide in practitioners and critics alike. Information vs opinion! I particularly liked this quote from author Joerg Colberg:

“Isn’t it the role of the artist to brush against the grain? How can you brush against the grain when you’re trying to hide behind your work?”

If you weren’t at Magnum then you can see my video here on Vimeo. (To recreate the experience you will need rather strong wine and miniature marine based canapes)

All images copyright Ambra Vernuccio. To see more of Ambra’s work visit ambravernuccio.com or to see the rest of monday night’s images visit her Flickr stream

‘Temples’ on Fast Co.Exist

My latest project ‘Temples’ has been published on Fast Co.Exist. It is my second publication on their site, I believe we share a common interest in the future wellbeing of society. It is always invigorating to find people who are campaigning for a better future, wouldn’t it be great if we could get them all together in one room. Although it sometimes feels like we would probably all fit in an aeroplane bathroom. Hope you enjoy the article!

(click image to read)

Temples

My newly completed project ‘Temples’ was presented to the judging panel at IdeasTap yesterday. The judges consisted of Peter Marlow, Fiona Rogers and Mark Power of Magnum Photos, Diane Smyth from The British Journal of Photography, Adrian Mott from University of the Arts London and Pierfrancesco Celda (previous IdeasTap Photographic Award winner). My work was met with mixed reviews, some very positive, some very negative, which is perfect as I can’t stand work that sits on the fence.

After some criticism from the professionals I thought it’s about time I shared the work with the public. So here it is, enjoy!

‘Temples’ by Alex Moore from Alex Moore on Vimeo.

This project was made possible by funding from The IdeasTap Photographic Award.

Guest Post: Mathew Lucas

'Hiroshima' Mathew Lucas 2011

Hiroshima

Three prints created based upon the idea of history repeating itself. That humankind will only learn from it’s own mistakes  and cannot see the immediate danger it presents itself with.

This print ‘Mushroom’ showed all the key factors from science that lead to the creation of the atomic bomb up until it was dropped on Hiroshima & later Nagasaki.

 

'Hollywood' Mathew Lucas 2012

Hollywood

A visualisation of 524 films from 2007 – 2011. Showing genres, reviews, the average genre review score and nominations for Oscars/Baftas for respective years.

 

Myself and Mathew Lucas will begin work on a new collaboration later this year to be displayed at the F/00d exhibition @ The FreeSpace Gallery in September. More of his brilliant work can be found at www.mathewlucas.co.uk

New Portrait Project

Last week I began work on a new portraiture project. As my project ‘Temples’ has remained firmly under wraps for the time being I thought I would try to be more interactive and invite my readers to witness this project as it is created. I will be using my blog to post regular updates regarding the project’s progress as well as disclosing some information regarding technique and even inviting readers to sit for me. As of yet the project remains untitled, I am still undecided as to whether it would be appropriate to name the body of work. Above you can see the first test for the series, an image which you may have guessed has undergone fairly rigorous digital transformation (not a concept that is entirely new to me). What is new however is that in contrast to my recent work which aims to disgust and provoke I have set out to create something beautiful.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Charles Perrault and Lewis Carroll, my aim is to create a kind of sensory hybrid portraiture. Combining elements of innocence and ethereal-ism with distinct idealism and embellishment. I hope to invoke contradiction in my audience, both admiration and inquisition, inertia and discomfort, enchantment and mistrust…a dysfunctional relationship with a photograph.

As this is an ongoing and developing project I would appreciate your feedback using the comments box below.

F/00d on Fast Co.Exist

www.fastcoexist.com 2012

Nice article about my work published today on Fast Co.Exist. If you didn’t know Fast Co is a publication focused on groundbreaking innovation and sustainable ideas, helping us to look forward to the future instead of stagnating in the present. Click the image to go to the article and check out the site.

F/00d exhibited this September, London. (click here)

F/00d @ The FreeSpace Gallery

Dates have been confirmed for my solo exhibition this Summer/Autumn at The FreeSpace Gallery, London. For the first time ever my entire F/00d series will be on display in the same place at the same time. Right now we are in the process of organising various talks/events which will be scattered throughout the exhibition’s 2 month tenure. This project is made possible by funding granted by The IdeasTap Wellbeing Fund, raised by the RAAM Roses cycling team who raced across America to raise money for creative projects in the UK which promote healthy living.

The FreeSpace Gallery is located appropriately within the grounds of the contemporary Kentish Town Health Centre (Royal Institute of British Architects Sterling Prize winner 2009). As part of the project, curator Melissa Hardwick has already begun developing the sites grounds into spaces for local school children to grow vegetables and installed a Garden Art Shed for exhibitions and workshops. The aim is for the project to inform and inspire people so that they may interact with their local community and seek change for themselves and their peers.

As well as my existing work the exhibition will also include some new additions including a video project and a re-issue of my book: F/00d – Consumption.Production.Destruction.

The work will be on display from September 6th – November 5th 2012 and will be open to the public 9am – 7pm (alternative opening times for opening night to be released via invitation).

Details of additional events will be released on here in due course.

If you haven’t seen F/00d already click here to view the on-line portfolio.

Facebook event page

IdeasTap event page

The FreeSpace Gallery, Kentish Town Health Centre, 2 Bartholomew Road, London , NW5 2BX.

World Press Photo

There has been enough coverage of World Press Photo 2012 without me adding to the pile so I thought I’d keep it simple by simply posting my favourite and least favourite image from this years selection. See if you can guess which is which! Overall I can’t say I was blown away, I was certainly shocked and moved by some of the content but some of the photography just left me feeling a little indifferent. Thoughts?

Donald Miralle, Jr. 'Iron Man Championships' 2011

Huimin Kuang 'Return of the Native' 2011

You can view the full gallery at http://www.worldpressphoto.org/

Yearning to Be Like Irving

Lately I have been revisiting some of the classic Irving Penn portraiture that inspired me to become a photographer in the first place. I think Penn is a sterling example of what makes a truly excellent portrait photographer. His pictures are bold, sexy and full of intelligence. I can’t help but feel an enormously romantic sense of nostalgia when I look at them. He captures his models perfectly, creating wonderful characters that could be mistaken for the creations of some eccentric novelist. Here are some of my favourites…enjoy.