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What does the future hold for photography?
The panel attempted to answer this question at the Waterfront Hall last Thursday as part of TransBelfast.
Adam Turkington was joined by two representatives from Belfast Exposed, Ciara Chambers (Archive Manager) and Pauline Hadaway (Director), who spent far too long talking about their super archive of photographs rather than contributing much to the topic at hand as well as trying to tell us about the benefits of the social internet for sharing photographs.
Alongside them Hugh Russell, former Olympic Boxer, now acting editor of the Irish Times who suddenly gave me all these great ideas that I can become a photojournalist, that it’s not hard to get into… [or not].
Moochin Photoman, AKA, John Baucher, a local photographer with his finger on the pulse around Belfast and a good knack of being in the right place at the right time, he likes to experiment with various techniques such as his latest project; TtV (Through the Viewfinder), with an exhibition planned around this theme.
Finally, flown in from London, Pennie Smith of The Clash’s London Calling album cover fame, with an apparent bitterness towards the Internet and little desire to turn to digital, still clutching her rolls of film.
As an audience of digital photographers sat on, listening to the speakers preaching that skills in the darkroom are essential and how not enough images are printed these days I ended up really thinking what the future does hold for photography?
Should I just give up now?
More thoughts later in the week.
The photographs by Gingerpixel, Andy, Mark Leetch, Moochin Photoman, Red Mum, Alan in Belfast and myself will be on display on the second floor of the Waterfront Hall until 10th August 2008
I have to make my plan soon for the Trans Festival. It looks like the first event I will attend, however, will be ‘Add to Set’, a photographic exhibition in the Waterfront Hall (Top floor Gallery) on Thursday 17th July.
‘Add to Set’, will be a celebration of the quantity and quality of Belfast based photo blogs and photographers. Opened by the legendary Rock Photographer Pennie Smith, (the genius behind the Clash’s “London calling” Album cover) the exhibition will be open to everyone and anyone to visit, Launching on the 17th July until the 10th of August.
Various technological advances in the last few years have enabled anyone with a camera to share their photography with the world. Some might argue that this has lead to a devaluing of the art form; however we believe quite the opposite.
The exhibition will show both in physical and digital form, photographic works from of some of Belfast’s best photographers, along with a seminar from Pennie Smith and a launch with refreshments provided.
Some of my images will be on display at this, and for those who cannot make it I will put the images online on Friday.
Add to Set
Launches Thursday 17th July, 7pm
Waterfront Hall, Belfast (map)