Better Photography Magazine India

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Recently i was interviewed for Better Photography Magazine, India. The November 2018 issue is a special edition featuring 6 photographers who make photographs from home. I am delighted to be included, it’s both humbling and gratifying that my family work is still seen as relevant more than 3 years after publishing my book The Middle of Somewhere. I spoke with Conchita Fernandes about my photographic process and how it’s evolved over the years, along with my relationship with my daughters. You can read the on-line version here

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Read the On-Line version here

 

 

C41 Magazine Feature

is a Milan-based magazine of contemporary visual art from all over the world.

It’s wonderful and also humbling to see that this body of work is still receiving attention from international magazines, three & a half years after The Middle of Somewhere was published.

You can check out C41 and read the feature here

 

 

 

CAMPAIGN : ALCOHOL THINK AGAIN

Recently i was commissioned by 303 Mullenlowe to photograph urban portraits of teenagers for a WA Government advertising campaign ‘Alcohol think again’. The campaign titled ‘I need you to say no,’ aims to discourage parents from allowing their underage children to drink alcohol.

For more on the campaign and to watch the TV commercial, directed by Jess Bluck and produced by Kate Downie / Beautiful Pictures. click here.

 

 

 

 

Interview – Bird in Flight Magazine – Russia

Interview with Olga Bubich for the Russian photography & visual culture magazine ‘Bird in Flight’. We discussed parenthood, photography and my photobook The Middle of Somewhere.

YOU CAN READ THE INTERVIEW HERE

NOTE: At the time of writing (Oct 30th 2018) it’s not yet translated to english, but google translate does a reasonably good job…

FESTIVAL DE LA LUZ – BUENOS AIRES

EXHIBITION, WORKSHOP & TALKS

EXHIBITION:

August 2nd – September 4th, 2018, The Middle of Somewhere is being exhibited at Centro Cultural el mas acá, Buenos Aires, Argentina as part of Festival de la Luz, the biggest event of its kind in Latin America, with exhibitions of national and foreign artists in museums, cultural centers, and art spaces across Argentina.

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Part of my exhibition #TheMiddleofSomewhere at the charming @elmasacaclub in #santelmo #buenosaires @festivaldelaluz_ . . . #elmasaca #clubcultural #festivaldelaluz2018 #encuentrossabiertosfestivaldelaluz _ @ceibaeditions

A post shared by Sam Harris (@samharrisphoto) on Aug 3, 2018 at 6:00am PDT

 

 

 

WORKSHOP:  The Photobook Process – Case Study: ‘The Middle of Somewhere’

ESCUELA ARGENTINA DE FOTOGRAFIA

It was a pleasure to be hosted by Escuela Argentina de Fotografia. My workshop was about the process of making photobooks, dummies, edit books and journals. Including a deconstruction of the 9 months process of making The Middle of Somewhere.  It’s very rewarding when the students are so engaged and enthusiastic.  Thanks for having me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TALKS: From London to the Bush

In conjunction with my exhibition and workshop i also gave two talks. Firstly ‘From London to the Bush’ looking at my life journey and career in photography at Centro Cultural el mas acá. Secondly, Professor Jose Nuno of the National University of Tucumán, invited me to talk with his 2nd year degree students about my career experiences and working process.

Audience preceding my talk ‘From London to the Bush’ at Centro Cultural mas acá, 4th August,

Prof. Jose Nuno of National University of Tucumán introducing me to his 2nd year degree students

 

 

 

EXHIBITION IN BUENOS AIRES

The Middle of Somewhere will be exhibited at Festival de la Luz, Argentina.The Encuentros Abiertos – Festival de la Luz is the biggest event of its kind in Latin America, with exhibitions of national and foreign artists in museums, cultural centers, and art spaces across Argentina.

I will also be presenting ‘The Photobook Process’ at the EAF Argentina School of Photography,

and delivering my talk ‘From London to the Bush’ at Centro Cultural mas acá, 4th August, 18:00hrs.

My trip to Argentina is made possible with the support of the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

 

 

 

PERTH TALK & SLIDESHOW – Sunday 1st July

Come along to this educational talk from professional photographer Sam Harris. Hear about his journey from living his dream to become a professional photographer in the fast paced lifestyle of Central London’s music scene. At the height of his career he then took his family away from London to the Australian bush to recapture his passion for photography. This journey was recorded and turned into an award winning book – The Middle of Somewhere.

The Middle of Somewhere was a finalist at the POYi Awards for Best Photography Book, won the Australian Photobook of the Year 2015 People’s Choice Award, won the AIPP Book of the Year 2016, was a finalist at Les Rencontres d’Arles Book Award 2015 and at GuatePhoto Festival, Photo Espana, Athens Photo Festival, and Ceiba won the LUCIE Award for book publisher of the year 2015!

Sam’s journey, the equipment he used, how he met his clients, curated his award winning book, all will be revealed in this inspirational talk, aptly named from London to the Bush.

SUNDAY 1ST JULY 2018 6-8PM.

Shoot Photography Workshop,

232 Stirling St, Perth

MORE INFO AND TICKETS CLICK HERE

 

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

 

FAEMA 70th anniversary EXHIBITION at MUMAC Milan, Italy.

FAEMA is a  historical brand renowned for it’s coffee machines of the highest quality. 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 photographed Australian coffee culture with Vittoria coffee in Sydney. The resulting images were part of the ‘Express your Art‘ exhibition at MUMAC (Museum of the coffee machine) Milan, Italy.

 

 

“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!

 

VIEW PORTFOLIO

VIEW 3D EXHIBITION

ART DIRECTION EYESOPEN!

ABOUT PROJECT & PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

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.

POYi Best Photography Book – FINALIST

It was a total surprise and a huge honour to have my book The Middle of Somewhere selected as a finalist at the prestigious Pictures Of the Year International 73. POYi has been around for quite some time and firmly established as one of the worlds leading photographic awards. POYi also run seminars and workshops and are increasingly becoming a center for research, discussion and education.

 

PHOTO ESPANA – BEST PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS OF THE YEAR

The Middle of Somewhere exhibited at Biblioteca Nacional de España as part of the Photo Espana exhibition ‘Best Photobooks of the Year’

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PHOTO EYE – BOOK OF THE WEEK

Photo-Eye, the renowned US photobook store and blog recently featured The Middle of Somewhere  as it’s book of the week with a lovely review by Daniel Boetker-Smith (Director of the Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive).

“I was asked by someone yesterday to describe Harris’ book in one sentence, I said without thinking: ‘it’s like looking at a Super-8 film in book form.’ This is a unique and special book.”

You can read the full review here.

 

AUSTRALIAN PHOTOBOOK OF THE YEAR Peoples Choice Award

spread from ‘The Middle of Somewhere’

I’m feeling blessed and most grateful. The Middle of Somewhere has won ‘Australian Photobook of the Year – Peoples Choice Award‘ 2015, so special to receive this. Thanks to everyone who voted and to Momento Pro & PHOTOBOOK MELBOURNE – it’s wonderful to know that the public enjoyed my book.

 

INTERVIEW ON MAKING PHOTOBOOKS

To coincide with winning Australian Photobook of the Year 2015 – The People’s Choice Award, i spoke with the award sponsors Momento Pro about making photobooks; We discussed editing, design and layout, the differences between trade publishing and self-publishing, distribution, promotion, the importance of making dummies and photo festivals around the world.

You can watch it here.

 

 

AUCKLAND FESTIVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2016

It’s always nice to go back to Auckland where i was invited to attended the Auckland Festival of Photography in June..

It was an action packed week for me, reviewing portfolios, running a two-day  workshop, as well as presenting a talk about my book The Middle of Somewhere. There was also a diverse range of exhibitions to check out, with openings to attend and lots of friendly people to meet.

Here are just a few highlights:

HOME, curated by Simone Douglas  was a series of exhibitions at the impressive Silo 6 (disused silos, now heritage protected and making a fantastic space for exhibiting photography). HOME featured work by Anna Carey, Arthur Ou, Ian Strange,  Shan Turner-Carroll and Lin & Lam

HOME at Silo 6

BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY – BOOK REVIEW

Raj Lalwani reviews The Middle of Somewhere for Better Photography Magazine, India.

“This is a photobook that consistently leaves you surprised. Considering that the subject matter itself is rather limited in its range, this is an astounding feat.”

You can read the full review here

ATHENS PHOTO FESTIVAL – PHOTOBOOK EXHIBITION

The Middle of Somewhere has been selected as part of ‘The Photobook Exhibition’ at the Benaki Museum as part of  Athens Photo Festival 2016

ABC RADIO NATIONAL – INTERVIEW

ABC Radio National reporter Claire Nichols came to visit me to talk about my book ‘The Middle of Somewhere’ and life in Balingup. We went for a walk and had a good chat. The results were broadcasted on Radio National. listen here.

WINNER OF A LUCIE AWARD!!!

Unbelievable!! We won a LUCIE AWARD!!

It’s a massive honour to have my book The Middle of Somewhere and publisher Ceiba Foto WIN Book Publisher of the Year at the 2015 Lucie Awards.

I’m super grateful.

The Lucie Awards is the annual event honoring the greatest achievements in photography. The photography community from countries around the globe pay tribute to the most outstanding photography achievements presented at the Gala Awards ceremony. The ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall, New York on October 27, 2015.

The Lucie Awards are a signature program of Lucie Foundation.

Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization whose three-tiered mission is to honor master photographers, discover and cultivate emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of photography, worldwide. Lucie Foundation presents a variety of programs throughout the year, including its signature program, The Lucie Awards.

 

DAVID ALAN HARVEY INTERVIEW 2015

During Arles Photo Festival in the south of France, i found myself sitting in a nice little side-walk cafe, drinking a cold beer and chatting with Magnum‘s David Alan Harvey. We were talking photography and he interviewed me about ‘The Middle of Somewhere‘ for Burn magazine.  David has been a long time supporter of my work and has given me sage advice when i’ve needed it most. It was a nice way to summarise my long-term project and a great honour.

 

LUCIE AWARD NOMINATION

It’s an incredible honour to have my book The Middle of Somewhere and publisher Ceiba Foto nominated for Book Publisher of the Year at this year’s Lucie Awards.

The 13th Annual Lucie Awards are presented by the Lucie Foundation at Carnegie Hall, NYC on October 27, 2015. Congratulations to all the nominees!

The Middle of Somewhere is available from Ceiba, here

ARLES BOOK AWARD – SHORTLISTED

Most honored and grateful, The Middle of Somewhere has made this year’s shortlist!

Les Rencontres d’Arles

Ceiba Foto : The Middle of Somewhere available here

GUATE PHOTO – FINALIST -THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE

My book ‘The Middle of Somewhere‘ is a finalist at this year’s Guate Photo Festival, Guatemala. 30 books were selected from 1761 international submissions and will be exhibited as part of the festival.

The International Photography Festival GuatePhoto 2015 celebrates its third edition.  The cities of Antigua and Guatemala will become from November 12th to the 30th in scenarios dedicated to contemporary photographic creation; gathering the talent of established and emergent artists, critics, cultural agents, institutions and the general public.

THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN MAGAZINE

 

 

On line version

 

Read The Australian Magazine & the article

 

TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE, UK

Featured in Print – Telegraph Magazine, Saturday 13 June 2015

and read the on-line version here

 

Read Telegraph Magazine & the article here

 

LENS CULTURE – THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE

 

Lens Culture recently featured The Middle of Somewhere

Read: Lens Culture feature The Middle of Somewhere

 

WALLPAPER features THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE

I was delighted, most honoured and grateful to have Wallpaper Magazine recently review my new book The Middle of Somewhere. Wallpaper is known as the global authority on design, so it was quite a special occasion to have them review the book!

Visit Wallpaper & read the full article

‘The book has many moments of artistic brilliance’  Wallpaper*

The Middle of Somewhere is a numbered edition of 600.

Get a copy here.

EXHIBITION – BALLARAT INTERNATIONAL FOTO BIENNALE, AUSTRALIA

The Middle of Somewhere debut in Australia

Post Office Gallery, Arts Academy, Federation University Australia

Ballarat International Foto Beinnale,

 

The Middle of Somewhere

FEATURE SHOOT

Read Feature Shoot & the article

London Book Launch – The Photographers’ Gallery

Please join us, check out the book and have a celebratory drink!!

I’m  honoured to be launching my new book The Middle of Somewhere in London at the The Photographers’ Gallery on July 2nd.

Copies have started leaving the nest, and we couldn’t be more happy about the first reactions. Telegraph Magazine have just published a feature article in today’s magazine (Saturday 13th June). Susan Bright, the curator & writer had this to say “An absolute stunner! Best photo book of the year for me. Only 600 copies… they will go fast.”

You can order a copy here from Ceibafoto.com

New York Book Launch – Bronx Documentary Center

I’m super excited, most honoured and grateful to be launching my new book The Middle of Somewhere in New York at the wonderful Bronx Documentary Center.

Some early copies have started leaving the nest, and we couldn’t be more happy about the first reactions. Susan Bright, the curator & writer had this to say “An absolute stunner! Best photo book of the year for me. Only 600 copies… they will go fast.”

I’ll be doing a talk & slideshow about my photographic and personal journey from London via living in India to settling in the Australian bush. Hope to see you there! Please join us, check out the book and have a celebratory drink!!

Signed books are available on Pre-Order here from Ceibafoto.com

 

BIRTH OF A PHOTOBOOK!!

Creating a Photobook (Part 2)

Well… after a very long and sometimes painful labour we are delighted, deliriously excited, most honoured and grateful to announce the birth of our 1 pound and 12 ounces baby… It’s a book!

The Middle of Somewhere, Numbered edition of 600. Essay by Alasdair Foster, two inserts; Travelogue & No Yesterdays (from Yael’s diary) , hand made notes. Cover art by Uma Harris

 The Middle of Somewhere has been a long journey, an on-going family diary that revolves around my two daughters growing up.

It’s been 12 years since we were first living in India and i begun to photograph my family life. I suppose i became enchanted with the magic of childhood and the playful, creative possibilities that open up. I wanted to forget so much that had become formulaic about the way i approached photography. After more than a decade working in London, shooting album covers and editorial portraits, one develops a way of working. I wanted to undo all that, to forget what i knew, reconnect with my true self and start all over. So… i suppose it’s fitting that i found myself connecting with my childhood through the prism of my daughters. That they became my muses and my work began to crystallise.

It’s been a personal and photographic journey into the unknown, a personal diary, watching my daughters’ childhood unfold, trying as best i can to catch the magic and all the while aware that time is slipping.

ONE IDEA LEADS TO ANOTHER…

Originally we had a very different idea for the cover of the book. Part of the magic of any creative process is its evolution. Being flexible and open minded helps the process grow. It was an exciting moment when we decided to ask Uma to do the art work for the cover, based on another piece of art she’d made for us. Below you can see a brief clip of Uma at work.

IT’S ALL PART OF THE PROCESS

I’ve been talking with Eva-Maria Kunz about making this book for a few years now. Making a photobook is not something to be rushed. Ideas need time to grow. Some grow nicely, others fail. It’s all part of the process. Bouncing ideas… In earnest we began work on the book in September 2014. We met up at The Photobook Museum, Cologne, to start planning a schedule as well as mapping out our ideas and dreams, the vision for the book. You can read more about that here.

Fast Forward to April 2015, it’s time to print the book! Another long flight to Italy, to EBS, (the master book printers that will help us ‘deliver’ this baby…) It’s a trip that can’t be avoided. The photographer has to check the proofs and work closely with the printers to ensure the images look just right. .

PICTURE THE SCENE, THE LABOUR’S BEEN GOING FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS…

I’ve been pacing up and down the corridor, in and out of every chair in the waiting room. Anxiety turns to frustration to boredom as you wait for nurse Silvia to pop her head in the door and say ‘ok they want you down on press’ – meanwhile your fingers are chewed down to the bone as you wait …. Soon … Come on…. What’s taking them so long… The afternoon drifts towards the evening… How many coffees have I had today…. and so it goes…

Pre-Sales for The Middle of Somewhere have begun over at ceiba. This really is all about the love we have for photobooks. Making the book has been a real labour of love, a roller-coaster ride that’s not quite over yet!

BOOK PREVIEW COMING SOON!

SELECTED BY DUNCAN MILLER GALLERY – LA

I’m very proud to announce that ‘Uma, steamy window’ has been selected for YourDaillyPhotograph.com.

Uma, steamy window © Sam Harris (from the book The Middle of Somewhere)

Duncan Miller Gallery, curators have chosen my image for inclusion into YourDailyPhotograph.com. They select a very small percentage of photographs submitted, saying “You’re in good company — in the recent past images from Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andreas Gursky, Richard Misrach, Andre Kertesz, Edward Burtynsky and other photography legends have appeared in Your Daily Photograph”

Uma, steamy window is on sale at a very special price for the next 24 hours (May 9th). You can check it out here.

CREATING A PHOTOBOOK (Part 1)

It’s a Family Affair – everyone gets involved at some stage.           Photo © Sam Harris

The Middle of Somewhere – Creating a Photobook (Part 1)

Last year I was fortunate enough to start a collaboration with ceiba foto to publish my book The Middle of Somewhere, 12 years of family diary work. Little did I know of the roller-coaster ride that lay ahead: the making of a photobook!

To add to the challenge we are spread over three continents… and so we started by meeting in the middle, and what a better place to start than at the inspiring, Photobook Museum in Cologne, who kindly allowed us to use their studio space. We worked there for a week and dreamed and schemed, brewing up the initial concept.

Dreaming and Scheming with Eva Maria Kunz at The Photobook Museum, Cologne  Photo © Reimar Ott

I’ve self-published a book before and even been lucky enough to win some awards with it, but nothing could prepare me for the intensity required to produce a photobook of such fine quality and nuance.

Printers Proofs: Whilst running a workshop in India i received proofs from our printers in Italy, printed on various paper stock of the finest quality . Another important decision. Paper weight, density and finish plays an important part… Not just with the look of the images but also the feel… Photobooks are a tactile experience as well as a visual one.  Photo © Sam Harris

Prints on the wall, prints on the floor, prints in my dreams… for 9 days i lived in the Ceiba studio, Italy. With 12 years worth of material, breaking the book down into small sequences helps. Strings of images…  come together like poems. Photo © Eva Maria Kunz

Eva Maria Kunz from Ceiba has been my partner in all this, leading the way, bouncing every idea and pushing and pulling us all to the limits. Long, intensive days, week after week, for the last 6 months… 

It’s been extreme. Often challenging and frustrating, but equally inspiring and exciting. Every now and then we catch a glimpse of the book to be, images and design in flux… and as we do, we know it’s all worthwhile.  

 

And born out of frustrating situations, last-minute inspiration can appear! and I can tell you it tastes all the sweeter for its serendipity. And so the book, slowly becomes…

 

The pre-dummy dummy: Once a sequence has been established it’s important to stack the rough prints and check the flow in a crude book form. Turning pages, flipping back and forth. Only when we feel happy with the flow can we commit to making the dummy. © Photo Sam Harris

Eva working tirelessly, stitching our handmade dummy at the end of my time in italy. Photo © Sam Harris

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

It’s not just Ceiba and myself riding this roller-coaster, it’s a family affair… This book is a diary, a family album about Uma and Yali growing up. I work at home most of the time, so everyone becomes involved. It’s not just the edit that takes over our small home, there are cover materials, art work, graphics, paper types, colour choices, texts and all sorts of ‘special’ things i can’t talk about yet 🙂 All these things have at some stage engaged all the family in the process.

Stay tuned, we’ll be revealing some very special news soon!!

INSTAGRAM LOOKS BACK ON 2014… MY PHOTO SELECTED!

I’m most honoured and grateful to have this image selected by Instagram as one of eight photos as they look back on 2014…

Truly a global community… I’m quite amazed that Instagram selected this photograph as part of their looking back at 2014 feature. It’s wonderful to know that i can take photos from my daily life here in Balingup, a remote part of Australia, a remote part of the world… and yet photo editors in New York and San Francisco see them and pay attention. Thank you Instagram!

If you’d like to see more of my on-going photo diary, you can follow me @samharrisphoto

Thanks and hope to see you there!!

GUERNSEY PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL – REPORT

Guernsey Photography Festival 2014 – Photo © Sam Harris

Firstly, let me say what a fantastic experience i had at the Guernsey Photography Festival. The GPF might be a relatively small photo fest but it’s certainly packs a punch. It’s always stimulating for me to meet other photographers, see their work and talk photography. In Guernsey there was no shortage of any of that and the caliber of the work selected was excellent. It was a real honour to be included, something for which i am most grateful.

There were about 15 photographers in attendance from across Europe. I was lucky to be able to join them all from Australia with thanks to a grant that i received from The Department of Culture and the Arts for Western Australia.

Most of the photographers in attendance were hosted in the homes of festival staff and volunteers. A nice touch that allowed us to better connect with the community and experience some wonderful Guernsey hospitality.  Thank you again Joanne and family for hosting myself and Londoner Jason Wilde. We had a great time and truly appreciate you opening your home to us.

Jean-Christophe Godet opens the GPF 2014

‘Faith, Family and Community’

GPF is a themed festival and the 2014 edition was Faith, Family & Community. Festival director Jean-Christophe Godet opened the GPF at the splendid St James Concert Hall. Legendary Magnum photographer Abbas  was the guest of honour and presented work spanning his career. Liz Hingley gave a fascinating presentation on her series ‘Under Gods’ and John Angerson was in conversation with J-C Godet. whilst showing his excellent body of work on the Jesus Army, ‘Love, Power, Sacrifice’.  There were also screenings of four slideshows (including my series ‘The Middle of Somewhere’) all with live piano, especially composed and performed by Angus McRae, with thanks to a collaboration with Victor Hugo Music Festival. Having Angus interpret my work was a great bonus and hearing his piano score played live with my images up on the big screen was a wonderful. You can watch it below (shot on my iPhone:) and please turn up the volume!!

Below are a few highlights from the many fantastic works exhibited at GPF 2014. It was so hard to select just a few… Everyone’s work was so inspiring, i enjoyed so much of it!

Please note, all copyright © belong with the respective photographer as credited. All names and titles are hyper-linked to take you to the photographer’s website.

David Moore – Picture From The Real World (1987-88)

David Moore’s  ‘Pictures from the Real World‘ was the fore runner of much activity that followed in British photographic history. It’s first showing was in 1988 in a special edition of Creative Camera selected by Martin Parr. I really loved seeing this work, raw and yet sensitive… Recently published as a book of the same title by Dewi Lewis. It sold out quickly and prices are on the up, so if you find a copy, grab it fast!

Pictures from the Real World (1987-88) © David Moore

Pictures from the Real World (1987-88) © David Moore

Pictures from the Real World (1987-88) © David Moore

Elinor Carucci – Mother

New York based Israeli Elinor Carucci photographs her twin daughters for her series Mother. I found it fascinating to see the work of other photographers who also photograph their children.

an image from ©Elinor Carucci’s series Mother waits to be unwrapped and hung…

©Elinor Carucci’s series Mother

 

John Angerson – Love, Power, Sacrifice

 

Photographed over 20 years, English photographer John Angerson’s portrait of The Jesus Army (a religious sect founded in Northampton, UK in 1969) is a profoundly sympathetic authorial style which does not judge, or even simply chronicle, but seems to penetrate the very skin of the religious sect… You can but John’s book ‘Love, Power, Sacrifice, published by Dewi Lewis here.

 

© John Angerson

© John Angerson

© John Angerson

Liz Hingley – Under Gods: Stories from the Soho Road

UK photographer Liz Hingley presented her series Under Gods, an intimate look at the multifaceted colourful world of urban faith along the Soho Road in Birmingham, England. An area rich with cultural diversities and religious practices. Liz’s beautiful book ‘Under Gods’ is published by Dewi Lewis and well worth purchasing.

© Liz Hingley – Cannon Street Baptist’s Baptism

© Liz Hingley – Temple maintenance by Thai monks

© Liz Hingley – Polish Catholic carol singers

Abbas – Faces of Christianity

Legendary Magnum photographer Abbas exhibited work from his extensive archive in a series titled Faces of Christianity

from the ©Abbas exhibition Faces of Christianity

from the ©Abbas exhibition Faces of Christianity

Arno Brignon – Josephine

Arno Brignon is a French photographer who has been photographing is daughter Josephine for several years now. I really enjoyed his work. Especially interesting for me as Arno is also a father photographing his daughter…

© Arno Brignon – from his series Josephine

© Arno Brignon – from his series Josephine

© Arno Brignon – from his series Josephine

Jason Wilde – Silly Arse Broke It

Jason Wilde is a London photographer with a great sense of humor and irony. His talk at the Performing Arts Center was one of the most entertaining, at times hilarious talks i’ve seen.Jason lives on the ‘Clarence Way Estate’ in Camden, London, where he has witnessed over the years the rapid diversification of the cultural mix of his community. In an attempt to record this transformation Jason started collecting hand written notes that he found discarded on the estate.  Silly Arse Broke It is a collection of those found notes and messages placed against wallpaper backgrounds. So very revealing about much of the day-to-day life in his hood.

Jason Wilde next to his display panel in Market Square and during his excellent talk.

© Jason Wilde

Inaki Domingo – Ser Sangre

Spanish photographer Inaki Domingo had a very interesting exhibition Ser Sangre. A collaboration with his family whilst on holiday, over a period of weeks. He reexamined the concept of the family album. Inaki has a book Ser Sangre soon to be published. I was fortunate to see a preview of the final dummy. Defiantly one for the list!

Inaki Domingo hanging his exhibition ‘San Sangre’

© Inaki Domingo from the series Ser Sangre

© Inaki Domingo  from the series Ser Sangre

Gemma Padley from The British Journal of Photography in conversation with (Left to Right_ Alfonso Amendros, Andrei Nacu and Inaki Domingo

Gemma Padley from The British Journal of Photography in conversation with (Left to Right_ Alfonso Amendros, Andrei Nacu and Inaki Domingo at the Performing Arts Center.

 

Scarlett Coten – Mectoub

Frenchwoman Scarlett Coten’s powerful yet sensitive and thought provoking Mectoub looks at Arab men, in a post Arab Spring environment and questions the notion of identity in societies in which the question of individual freedom, genre and sexuality are the origin of massive political, economic and social change.

© Scarlett Coten

© Scarlett Coten

© Scarlett Coten

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MY NEW BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED BY CEIBA FOTO

 I’m super excited, most honored and grateful to announce that my new book The Middle of Somewhere will be published by the highly talented team at ceiba foto. This really is a dream come true!

‘Looking back i can see that you have to get lost sometimes if you want to find new land. And that’s what happened.’

Recently i  spoke with ceiba foto about inspiration, challenges, life in the Aussie bush and more… have a read over at ceiba foto.

Thank you to The Photobook Museum for allowing us to start the creative process within their space and to the Department of Culture and the Arts, Government of Western Australia for supporting my recent trip to Europe. Ideas are stirring, dummies are being made, and we plan to bring you this baby by June 2015.

 

 

 

EXHIBTION – INSTAGRAM @ PHOTOVILLE NYC

I’m delighted to have had one of my Instagram images selected to be part of the Instagram exhibition “Here in the World: Voices of the Instagram Community” at Photoville in New York.

The show will open to the public on Thursday, September 18 and closes on Sunday, September 28. The location is Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn. So if you’re in the area why not check it out…

INTERVIEW IN L’OEIL DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE

Renowned French publication L’Oeil de la Photographie recently ran an in-depth interview i did with Alison Stieven-Taylor. You can read it here

Photo from the series ‘Postcards from Home’ © Sam Harris

ABC FROM HOME…

A few weeks ago, ace movie maker Ruslan Kulski from ABC Open came for an afternoon visit with his camera and some questions… It was great talking with him and showing him around. The result is this 3 minute doco

ANGKOR PHOTO FESTIVAL 2014

My latest series The Middle of Somewhere has been selected for the 10th edition of Angkor Photo Festival 2014.

As ever with Angkor Photo, there is a great selection of photographers from around the world. I’m delighted to have been selected alongside some wonderful photographers such as Max Pam, Liz Hingley, Alejandro Chaskielberg, Antoine Bruy, Nancy Borowick, Munem Wasif, Ronny Sen, Jean-Christophe Godot and many many others… For more details and images you can check the press catalogue  here

 

 

THE BIFB COLLECTION 2014

One of my images has been accepted for the BIFB COLLECTION 2014, an annual fundraiser for the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.  For now, I can’t tell you what my image is, as all works are hung anonymously, and that would be letting the cat out of the bag, but all images in the show are for sale at the one price $125.

You can purchase a red dot at http://www.trybooking.com/92603  which also includes entry into the event at Gallery Eleven40, 1140 Malvern Road, Malvern, Victoria, starting at noon on Sunday August 31st. The event runs until around 4.00pm. All the details are at the website
http://eleven40.com.au/photography-exhibitions/bifb-collection-2014.html

DUNCAN MILLER GALLERY, LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles’ Duncan Miller Gallery has featured one of my images on their innovative Your Daily Photograph, print collection sale. ‘Uma, bubble gum’ was selected by curator and photography commentator Alison Sieven-Taylor. Alison’s weekly blog Photojournalism Now has a wide international readership and her writing appears in  a variety of leading photography magazines.

EXHIBITING AT GUERNSEY PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL

Uma, bubble gum, used as a banner for the Guernsey Photography Festival 2014. © Sam Harris

I’m honoured to be representing Australia, exhibiting The Middle of Somewhere (including some images from Postcards from Home) at UK’s Guernsey Photography Festival 18th Sept – 18th Oct 2014. I’m humbled to be in the line-up alongside the great contemporary artists Broomberg & Chanarin as well as the legendary Magnum photographer Abbas. This year’s theme is Faith, Family & Community and will also host the excellent New York photographer Elinor Carucci as well as exciting UK photographers Liz Hingley and  David Moore among others…

I’m really looking forward to attending the opening of the festival and checking out Guernsey as well as all the other photographers’ works… I’ll be giving a seminar talk and participating as a lecturer in the education program.

Guernsey Photo Festival 2014

BETH ORTON REVISITED

Beth Orton’s timeless classic Central Reservation has been re-released by 3Loop Music with a bonus disc of demos, B sides and other rarities, including previously unseen photographs from the sessions we did together.

The album cover for Central Reservation – Photo © Sam Harris

I can’t believe it’s 15 years since I worked with Beth taking photos for the album. Released in 1999, Central Reservation received a Mercury Music Prize nomination and helped Beth earn a BRIT Award in 2000 for Best British Female. Central Reservation spent 56 weeks in the album charts, selling over 500,000 copies.

A few months back I received an email from Beth, asking if I had any photos that hadn’t seen the light of day from the sessions we did together… Digging through the boxes of photographs that represent my print archive brought back many memories from that time. I love going over old photographs, not only for the nostalgia but also for the fresh discoveries. Time changes the way we view our photographs. Gone are the preconceived ideas of what a session should be and also the attachment to certain photos from within the session. It’s almost as if viewing the work as an outsider for the first time.

So, with fresh eyes I poured over contact sheets and work prints I hadn’t seen for many years. I remember that time so vividly. I joined Beth for a short West coast USA acoustic tour. We had a good connection and I was photographing her at every opportunity along the way; Car parks, hotel rooms, airports, thrift stores, cafés, sound checks, back stage… Most of our sessions were very short, just grabbing a quick moment on the fly, which is how we wanted it… more of a natural documentary approach.

Working with artists that inspire me was always my aim and working with Beth was great. The energy in the recording studio where I was fortunate to hang a few times and at the gigs was palpable. Sometimes you just know when something special is being created. It was an exciting time.

Beth Orton – Photo © Sam Harris

Beth Orton – Photo © Sam Harris

Beth Orton – Photo © Sam Harris

Beth Orton – Photo © Sam Harris