When I first decided to start writing a blog it was as much about forcing myself to write, to communicate and to articulate my opinions about the world at large – mainly art but also the occasional bit about music; I’m a big music fan, there’s no way I could go long without mentioning it.

Initially, as with many other, I read Alec Soth’s (no longer updated) blog which made me realise the possibilities of keeping an online journal, a notepad. The writing of Charlie Brooker also inspired me, he’s got such a particularly slanted world view yet argues his points well and, vitally, never lets his anger get in the way of his humanity.

Then I discovered a few blogs of young and emerging artists. Being able to see (well… read, at least) the thought processes, ideas, struggles and questions from photographers early in their career was great – some of it mirrors my life, some of it doesn’t but it’s all interesting to read. Also, and this is crucial, I get to see new photography. It sounds obvious but being able to see fresh ideas, the very beginnings of a project is wildly exciting,: who knows where it’ll lead. Maybe the world’ll continue along similar lines, maybe it will evolve into something completely different. Four blogs really captured my attention. Ber Murphy’s Pelicala 64, Ground Glass by Cara Phillips, Kevin J Miyazaki’s blog and finally Amy Elkins Photo.

Now, out of these, Amy’s blog is probably the one that resonates most with me. It’s quite personal, her series Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
deals with the time between her father being sent to prison and his eventual release. She photographed (and still continues to, I believe) herself every day and attached a quote from her dad as the caption. I found this incredibly brave – I don’t have my photograph taken very often, I certainly couldn’t do it regularly. Also, the sheer persistence of taking a photograph every time is commendable, for it to become part of your fairly practice is pretty impressive.

Elkin’s main, or at least most robust, body of work is entitled Wallflower. It focuses on vulnerability and beauty in stereotypically masculine figures. Often in front of a floral (sometimes actual foliage, sometimes floral wallpaper) background, the subject rarely making eye contact with the camera and using fairly desaturated colours it produces quite a powerful effect – I suppose there are similarities between her work and that of both Rineke Dijkstra and Hellen van Meene in terms of subject matter but there’s something about her work that reminds me more of Lise Sarfati, especially her recent Fashion Magazine work. She isn’t just the combination of her influences, there’s an original voice here.

Amy Elkins – Erik, New Orleans, LA, 2006

Amy Elkins – Square Tree, Oxnard, CA, 2005

Amy Elkins – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Day 334

She also runs the sites Women In Photography and Wanderlustagrphy. Her portfolio site can be found here.

Well, I’ve broken my wrist. I’m in plaster for the next five weeks or so. I had to have my wrist pinned in place. Obviously it makes using a camera pretty difficult – the progress of my work has been slowed right down. I can just about use my Mamiya 7, so I won’t be on a complete sabbatical.

In better news I today received Duncan Redmonds’ Bubble And Squeak from Japan, his album of collaborations with Loz, Jools, Lee and Duncan (from Snuff), Fat Mike (NOFX), Ken Yokoyama (Hi-Standard), NoMeansNo, Simon Wells (Southport/ex-Snuff), Wes Wasley (Consumed/Billy No Mates), Dickie Hammond (from Leatherface, HDQ, Stokoe and Doctor Bison)
and the mighty Frankie Stubbs. Hearing there’s four new tracks with Frankie on is enough to make my day, the others are the icing on a very special cake. Roll on the new Leatherface album. And buy Duncan’s album, I implore you!

I’ve been enjoying Adam Jeppesen’s wonderful little photo book Wake over the past few weeks. It’s a small and quiet meditation on the spaces and boundaries of society all over the world. It’s not really documentary or travel photography nor is it topographic yet it kind of is. Sensitive and thoughtful, it’s certainly worth an hour of your time.

Adam Jeppesen – DK Ørestaden 12·12·05

Another quick sketch. I see this a lot.

Al Palmer – Car Park

It’s a miserable day in Manchester so I thought I’d upload a photograph of a miserable day in Manchester – share the joy!

Al Palmer – Cheetham Hill

And now it has just started to snow. This post was brought to you with coffee and the Good Time Charlies.