Archive for the 'Photography' Category
It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
In a society under constant surveillance, the photographer has become an object of suspicion.
Tired of the same old Goth chicks? Wanna take it a little more extreme? Then this wild photo shoot of the Black Metal Barbies starring Betina Kafer & Sophie Rutenberg might be more up your (dark) alley!
Tonight is the opening for an exhibition of 30 photographs by Peter Beste called True Norwegian Black Metal. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the launch and of his first book also titled ‘True Norwegian Black Metal’.
The book will include 126 Norwegian Black Metal Photographs; an introduction by Metalion of Slayer Magazine; Essays by Editor Johan Kugelberg and Peter Beste; 3 Panel foldout black metal time line by Tara G Warrior; 32 page section of old black metal ephemera including rare and obscure photographs, flyers, letters, and interviews.
True Norwegian Black Metal
Deluxe Limited edition of 666
Includes hand numbered silkscreened slipcase (measuring 11.25″ x 14.25″)
20×26? silkscreened black metal logo poster
Signed 8×10 Peter Beste print
$200 USD
Regular hardcover edition can be purchased for $38.40 on Amazon.
From the press release:
In the last two decades a bizarre and violent musical subculture called Black Metal has emerged in Norway. It has its roots in a heady blend of splatter movies, heavy metal music, Satanism, Pagan mythology and adolescent angst. In the early-mid 1990’s, members of this extremist underground committed murder, burned down medieval wooden churches, and desecrated graveyards. What started as juvenile frenzy came to symbolize the start of a war against Christianity, a return to the worship of the ancient Norse gods, and the complete rejection of mainstream society.
American documentary photographer Peter Beste has spent the last eight years working in the milieu of this insulated and secretive community. Beste’s access and insight into this community has been without precedent, resulting in an amazing photographic journey. Beste has earned the respect and trust of this impenetrable, suspicious and often elitist society. True Norwegian Black Metal is a visual testimonial to this subculture. Peter Beste and editor Johan Kugelberg have created a unique photographic narrative that explores black metal from a truly visceral perspective.
The Body in Depth.
A painstaking set of images of the human body, inside and out.
Flickr Fans Flustered Over Video Posting.
Flickr now allows users to post short videos. This is the worst thing that could happen in this world or any possible alternate timeline, at least if you ask the members of the “We Say NO to Videos on Flickr” group.
Several weeks ago Sam and I were at Outré Gallery checking out the always amazing artwork they have available for sale. We recognized one of the curators Gemma from her Flickr set and subsequently introduced ourselves. Sam told Gemma whilst pointing to moi, this is ‘Hellblazer’. Gemma reacted excitedly and asked if I would like to photograph forthcoming events at Outré. I was blown away as I have been such a fan of the shop/gallery for many, many years. I usually attend many events there and always take photos anyway. To be officially asked by them to be their photog floored me. For me, this is such a huge honor.
The next event that was on the Outré agenda was Shag solo exhibition show ‘The Birds & The Beasts’.
I was all excited and a little nervous at the same time as now I would be taking photos on a somewhat official capacity. I was nervous because I wanted to do a good job for the guys and I wanted them to be happy with the photos.
We got to Outré a little after 6.30 and were rushed inside prior to the event beginning. I finally got to meet Outré’s main man Martin and introduced myself. I had been in correspondance with Martin back in the 90’s and he had assisted me with some articles for a website I used to run so it was great to have a formal introduction.
We were then introduced to artist Josh Agle - who is better known as Shag. He was very nice and courteous and I politely told him to try and ignore me for most of the night as I would be in his general vicinity taking photos of him mingllng with the people.
A little after 7pm the crowd began to grow and grow and grow! It was massive and at one point the only place I could find some respite was behind the counter. It was insane and was proving to be an amazing night.
I had literally worked up a sweat photographing the event but I can assure you, I had a wonderful time!
So to Shag and all the Outré crew, thanks for a fab night!
View pics of the night here.
Flickr Users Cry Mutiny Over New Video Feature.
Stupid move by Flickr. Stupid!
Flickr Adds Video Sharing For ‘Pro’ Members.
This should be interesting!
To be perfectly honest, I can’t say I have ever been a fan of Nick Cave. Not that I have anything against the guy or the incredible body of projects he has worked on over the past 20 years, his stylings just weren’t my scene. Having said that, I have the utmost respect for the geezer and can heartily agree that he is a talented and brilliant individual.
My girlfriend on the other hand, is a huge fan and has followed Cave for many, many years. With that in mind, I decided to surprise her several weeks ago with two tickets to In Conversation with Nick Cave. The basic premise was seeing Nick Cave and Mick Harvey in an intimate setting at the Art’s Centre ANZ Pavilion.
It was basically an audience Q&A session with questions from the audience and some acoustic live tunes scattered throughout.
The tickets had sold out almost immediately, but I did manage to score a couple for us.
At the venue, Sam bumps into one of Nick Cave’s bandmates, Roland S. Howard who she knows personally - so the two chatted about this and that. He proved to be very nice and courteous and was attending the show as we were but as I stated from the outset, my knowledge of all things Nick Cave is vastly limited so I had no idea who the dude was.
A little after 4pm, Nick strutted to the small stage, greeted the crowd and was ready to answer any question thrown at him. I was struck by the sheer aura and charisma exuding from the man. I always pegged him as someone who was painfully introverted but my expectations were completely wrong on this one. He was confident, funny, eloquent and honest.
He is a man who has seen the world over many, many times - yet at the heart of it all, he is still a Melbourne boy and a uniquely Australian individual. He talked about his high school Caulfield Grammar like it was only a couple of years ago when he was last there.
The ANZ Pavilion is an extremely intimate and small room so it just added to the special ambience of the whole thing. There were quite a few celebs and bigwigs in attendance and I thoroughly enjoyed Cave’s performance and his openness and honesty in answering all the questions before him.
It was a wonderful way to spend one’s Sunday afternoon in the presence of such a gifted musician, writer et al.
The designated moderator for the event was the only dampener of the day. Asking Cave moronic questions which often left him and the audience literally scratching their heads in amazement at her misinformation and all-round stupidness.
That was my only gripe.
It was a great little gig. Intimate all the way and gave me a wonderful insight into one of Australia’s true stars.
Continue reading ‘In Conversation With Nick Cave’
One of my fave old buildings in Melbourne. I spent some time in it last week shooting through its film noir inspired hallways and crevices.
Enjoy!
I always loved this shot I took of a DJ at Revolver several months ago. You can view the original shot here.
