MORAN PHOTO PRIZE – FINALIST EXHIBITION

The Last Dance – from work-in-progress ‘Neighbours’  © Sam Harris 2018

I’m delighted, honored and grateful to have two images from my work-in-progress ‘Neighbours’ in this years finalist exhibition of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize. The exhibition opens Saturday May 5th at Juniper Hall, Paddington, Sydney. The Moran Photo Prize invites photographers to interpret ‘Contemporary Life in Australia’ and of the a prize of $50,000 for the lucky winner! Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists, there are so many great images this year. You can see the 30 finalists images here

Sisters – from work-in-progress ‘Neighbours’ © Sam Harris 2018

 

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FAEMA 70th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

FAEMA is a  historical brand operating in the world of professional coffee machines. To celebrate their 70th anniversary eight photographers from around the world were commissioned to interpret the FAEMA brand and to celebrate the global presence and appreciation of the great Italian espresso tradition.

I was asked to go to Sydney and with the help of Vittoria coffee, photograph Australian coffee culture; from hipster cafes to 5 star hotels and restaurants. The resulting images were part of the exhibition ‘Express your Art‘ at the MUMAC (Museum of the coffee machine) Milan, Italy.

 

The project was art directed by the Eyesopen! who chose photographers with different traits and styles. The eight chosen photographers came from several countries around the world – diversity was key.

“It’s hard to make a corporate project artistic,” – “But we managed to do so just because the images spoke volumes. For example, Sam Harris chose the endless sea in Australia as the backdrop for almost dreamlike compositions that conjure up universal images. In his intimate style, when capturing personal family moments he let himself be inspired by the colours and sensations that the locations evoked within him, thus transporting us as observers there too.” Barbara Silbe, Eyesopen!

 

You can go on a virtual tour of the exhibition here, and read more about the project and photographers here.

NEW WORK EXHIBITED at BRAG

A few images from my work-in-progress ‘Neighbours’ are being exhibited in Western Australia at Bunbury Regional Art Gallery as part of the South West Art Now (SWAN) exhibition. What i love about this exhibition is the opportunity to exhibit along side other regional artists in a variety of mediums including painting and sculpture. There are so many talented artists down here!

Images from work-in-progress ‘Neighbours’ project. All photos © Sam Harris 2018

NEW WORKSHOP – THE PHOTOBOOK PROCESS

10 – 17 March 2018

4 participants

It is often overlooked just how many ‘ingredients’ go into making an exceptional photobook, one that you can become immersed in, touched by, moved and inspired by. It’s been a dream of mine for quite some time to invite a few photographers to my home in the forest of Western Australia and share my experience and passion for all things photobook.

Together, we’ll go down the rabbit hole and take an in-depth look into the process of planning, making and promoting a photobook.

“There is a sense of holding something precious in your hands… this is a unique and special book” Daniel Boetker-Smith on The Middle of Somewhere – Photo-eye Book of the Week.

 

Some of what we will cover:

• Introduction to the world of photobooks – we will explore a wide range of great photobooks and discuss WHY and HOW they work
• The value of making book dummies and why they are essential to the process of arriving at a mature book (with numerous examples)
• Presentation /Q&A with my collaborator & publisher Eva Maria Kunz from Ceiba Editions.
• The power and the poetry of sequencing
• Case Study: The making of The Middle of Somewhere deconstructed; concept & design, creating a cover, choosing the right paper, proofs and printing, binding, inserts & gatefolds, hand made elements, graphics & typography, layout, size, editing & sequencing
• Why weight and size matter
• Look at your work as a group and discuss; I will offer advice and suggestions – group brainstorm
• One-on-one sessions – I’ll assist you to edit your past or current work and help you in moving forward
• Reflection on and development of your book concept
• Creating a tester / basic book dummy
• Learning to listen to your authentic voice and why it’s your most valuable asset
• Day trip to the coast, BBQs & Sundowners…
• Evening photography movies & slideshows projected outdoors, under the stars

While most workshops run on an intense schedule, which can become overwhelming, it’s my intention to factor in downtime to reflect, percolate ideas, time for informal but equally creative discussions, walks in the forest, pour over photobooks from my library or simply hang by the dam with a cold beer and take in the beautiful surroundings… making this more of a creative retreat than a traditional workshop.

This 7 days (8 nights) retreat is limited to only 4 photographers. A portfolio submission is required along with a Skype interview.

A small sample of the books we’ll be exploring over the week

DATES: start 10th March 2018, 5pm. Checkout 18th March by 11am.

LOCATION: Balingup, Western Australia, 6253

FEE: AUD $1800 (approx US $1400) – includes: 8 nights accommodation, 7 days and most meals

For further details please email Yael: info@samharrisworkshops.com

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2 YEARS LATER: INTERVIEW WITH CEIBA EDITIONS

Recently i caught up with Ceiba Editions to talk about what i’ve been up to since publishing my photobook The Middle of Somewhere and what i’m working on now…

You can read the interview  here 🙂

BITUME PHOTOFEST

It was a real treat to be invited to Lecce in southern Italy for Bitume Photofest, where I exhibited ‘The Middle of Somewhere’ and ran a workshop.

The drive from the airport set the scene nicely, olive trees as far as the eye could see, deep blue sky and the hot, sweet scented Mediterranean air…

Arriving in Lecce was impressive; nicknamed “The Florence of the South” due to the large amount of Baroque architecture spread across the city, it made for a wonderful and very unique location for a photography festival.

The Middle of Somewhere

exhibited in the charming Corte dei Mesagnesi

 

One very nice aspect of Bitume Photofest was no doubt the great use of outdoor installations, all in extremely impressive historical locations, allowing for the public to engage with the work whilst immersing themselves in the relaxed splendor of Lecce. Where most festivals are over saturated with content, I  really enjoyed the intimacy of Bitume, allowing for meaningful exchanges with some special people and the time to actually absorb and engage with the work on show.

Lost in the Wilderness by Kalpesh Lathigra

Kalpesh’s ‘Lost in the Wilderness’ investigates what remains of the Lakota Sioux Indians

AUSTRALIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016

The Middle of Somewhere awarded the 2016 AIPP             …  Australian Photography Book Award.

Thank you AIPP! It’s great to see photobooks and the photobook community evolving in Australia and that Australian Photobooks are being recognised at home and internationally. There’s a lot happening with photobooks at the moment,  it’s an exciting time, so I’m over the moon that ‘The Middle of Somewhere’ has received this award! A heartfelt  thanks to everyone involved.