Monday 30 August 2010

VISA POUR L’IMAGE: 22 FESTIVAL OF PHOTOJOURNALISM IN PERPIGNAN


It arrived, as every year, the unmissable event for lovers of photography: the most important festival of photojournalism in Europe, Visa pour l'Image 2010, that we Catalans have the luxury of having only at two hours drive from Barcelona.

The professional week will run from 30 August to 5 September. Since Sunday there were people getting credited in the Palau Pams.


PALAU PAMS


This year's edition is back in force, improving on the previous year. I would highlight three areas:

The photo of daily events that has strong impacts on violence and injustice that are shaking the planet. It is ,and has always been, the primary role of photojournalism and, with the unprecedented force that has the unique image, we must continue to raise our commitment to such inequality and injustice. As expected, the earthquake in Haiti and the revolt in Thailand bear the palm.

In the World Press Photo , also present here and that the locals from Barcelona will soon enjoy thanks to Photographic Social Vision, there are images that border on the insufferable as the stoning of a man. Are these images that show a death in live ,and that are so awful, should be shown? Just remember about Sakineh Mohammadi Astiani in Iraq ordered to be stoned for adultery. Images of the World Press do not allow us to fall into indifference and makes to add all our forces to prevent such a great barbarity.



Image and video hosting by TinyPic

WORLD PRESS PHOTO. COUVENT DES MINIMES


Other blocks are the retrospectives exhibitions. Two of them superb. Worth to attend Visa pour l'Image 2010 only to see them.


William Klein
: New York, Rome, Moscow, Tokyo.

Klein, along with Robert Frank, is the greatest living photographer. His book New York broke with everything that had been in documentary photography before. Today, his pictures have not lost a shred of modernity. They are still great images for this time.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

WILLIAM KLEIN EXHIBITION IN LE COUVENT DES MINIMES


William Albert Allard. National Geographic. Five Decades: A Retrospective.

Allard is one of the masters in colour and one of the best National Geographic Magazine’s photographers. I would like to highlight certain phrases in his introductory text to the expo:

"Many of the photographs in this exhibition were made while in the road, in a bar, in the streets, or even walking in the countryside. Often not looking for anything in particular. I used to be receptive to what the chance would like to bring. I just watched".

"When I give a talk to young people I explain that, when they leave to find work (as do virtually everybody must do if they want to have a car or enjoy a home with amenities) think about finding an activity you enjoy doing with all your heart rather than thinking about the money. Not many people can say that. I'll can say it without problem. I know what it is to work all life on a task that fascinates me".


WILLIAM ALBERT ALARD EXHIBITION. COUVENT DES MINIMES

WILLIAM ALBERT ALARD EXHIBITION. COUVENT DES MINIMES


The third block is formed by stories in -depth. I think a great part of the future of photojournalism goes through here. I would highlight:

Polygamy in the U.S.
by Stephanie Sinclair of Seven for National Geographic and The New York Times

An intimate look on one of the most closed Mormon sect known for its practice of polygamy.

One wonders, how the hell some photographers get access to these issues?


The Urban Cave
by Andrea Star Reese.

For two years this American photographed the lives of these homeless, men and women, living in New York, showing then with great dignity. Under a bridge, in a dilapidated building or in a tunnel, these photographs reveal the beauty of a place and a people.


THE URBAN CAVE. COUVENT DES MINIMES


Eloi the bubble child
by Hubert Fanthomme.

Another in-depth report of the history of this baby and her mother ,who can only embrace and comfort him through the plastic.



The black gold in Chernobyl
by Guillaume Herbaut

Twenty years after the catastrophe, the military machine cemeteries and the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine are subject to a full-scale looting.
Great example of work and investigative reporting.


Ian Fisher, an American soldier
by Craig F. Walker.

The story followed over two years and a half, this young American soldier since he joined the army, his training, his stay in Iraq and their return home.


Migrants in Calais
by Carsten Snejbjerg.

This story was named a 2010 Humanitarian Care award.

In the Arsenal des Carmes are presented some of the best images of the international and French press. You can see Albert Bertran’s Haiti photos done for el Periodico de Catalunya, and there’s also the Diari de Terrassa represented by photographer Cristobal Castro.


DAILY PRESS. ARSENAL DES CARMES


And finally, a visit to l'Eglise des Domicains where, among others, is the exhibition of National Geographic photographer specializing in nature, Mike Nichols, The sequoias: the war of timber in California. Stresses a giant 18-meter,colour print, sponsored by Canon, one of the photos of Nichols that stands in the impressive frame of the Church.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

MIKE NICHOLS' PHOTO. EGLISE DES DOMINICAINS

Wednesday 18 August 2010

HOLIDAYS IN PORRERA

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Porrera is only a half hour drive from Mont-Roig, in a beautiful valley surrounded by vineyards, in the heart of the Priorat region, in Catalonia. It was a pleasure to see Isabel Vilà, another of the people that appeared in “Lives in calm” who does not regret at all having left the big city to live in the country. Her rural tourism house, Cal Porrera, is a marvel with unparalleled views.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Isabel has undertaken further reforms which I am sure will improve her business. Along with his partner Edu, have a small vegetable garden. One day I came up with Luismi, Victor and the former director of Geo, David Corral. Isabel showed us her garden and gave us a basket full of organic vegetables that were very good.

ISABEL VILÀ


That night, the four of us, we stayed for dinner at El Xiringuito, a restaurant that opens on summer nights and places its tables beside the stream. Prices are very reasonable and many of the dishes, spicy and exotic. For example, I had grilled goat cheese and Thai chicken as a second and, of course, we always drink red wine from Priorat.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

FROM RIGHT TO LEFT: LUISMI, VÍCTOR, DAVID Y PACO

For this trip I carried my small Gitzo tripod that was very useful for self-portraits. You saw in a former post my adventures taking such photos. This time it was very simple.


I am delighted that Isabel kept in a prominent place the picture that I gave her on the harvest in Porrera. It was the picture that opened the story published in the Sunday issue of El Periodico de Catalunya, titled The Last Wine Harvest of the Century that I photographed in October 2000.

Among the wines highlights el Trosset de Porrera that produces Eduard, an excellent wine with all the virtues of Priorat with production limited to eight hundred bottles.


Porrera is a magical place where the stress and time stop.

Thursday 5 August 2010

MICHELLE OBAMA AND THE ICE CREAM PARLOR “LOS ITALIANOS” IN GRANADA


CECILIA DE ROCCO


No. I haven’t got pictures of Michelle Obama in the ice cream parlour “Los Italianos” in Granada. But I've been there many times and have tasted the famous ice creams that are great and cheap. Of course, accustomed to Barcelona’s prices is not difficult to have that feeling.

I love Granada and I've been there many times. The last time was during the past summer when I met National Geographic photographer Tino Soriano. A few years ago I did a report on Granada travel to the Sunday edition of El Periódico and photographed the ice cream parlour owner, Cecilia Rocco.

But will you know what I do every time I go to Granada and I consider my highest priority? : Dining at a restaurant in Albaicín overlooking the Alhambra. I recommend it strongly to all Granada’s visitors.



Sunday 1 August 2010

CAN YOU FIND SIMILARITUDES BETWEEN HOOLIGANS AND STUDENTS AT OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE?



VILLAREAL

After publishing the post of the end of year celebrations at Oxford and Cambridge there were several comments comparing with the English in Lloret for parties of bottle, etc. Then I remembered that years ago the editor of La Vanguardia Magazine, Pepe Baeza, sent me to cover the European Cup match Villarreal-Manchester United. And I could not help, perhaps a bit biased, compare images. Well, after all we are in August and the theme, sun, beer ... comes like a glove.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

OXFORD

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

VILLAREAL



VILLAREAL



VILLAREAL