Photography news

Living in Los Angeles with fresh eyes, it’s always a massive head f%#$ seeing swarms of paparazzi hunting down their next prey. But I was double bowled over when I came across AUSTIN VISSCHEDYK, a barely 15 years-of-age paparazzi on the prowl. Don’t be fooled by his seemingly inexperienced exterior. Visschedyk’s official website austinseye.com boasts the kind of names - Britney, Paris, Lindsay - that would usually demand massive dollar signs for magazine covers.
All I can say is 'where the hell are his parents?’
Have a read of this caption from the ‘Me’ section on his website and maybe you’ll get an idea:
“Austin is very bright but he has never fit into the standard classroom experience. Most teachers (though not all) don't want to deal with his constant questioning and inability to fit into a structured mold. He's been successfully home schooled for the past year. During this time he picked up a camera and a little photographer was hatched. He has always possessed an amazing visual acuity. He notices anything out of place in a room and can scan photos for details at an astonishing rate.
About 6 months ago, Austin's mom was at a local spa and Paris Hilton happened to be there. While talking to Austin on her cell phone, she casually mentioned the famous celebrity's presence and Austin came right over. Paris was very kind to him and later left the spa side by side with Austin into a throng of waiting paparazzi. The experience fascinated him and he started to bring along his camera when he frequented top restaurants in the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood area with his mother and friends...”

The Library of NSW in Sydney is now hosting once again the World Press Award Exhibition, a high-class photographic time capsule of 2007 with a range of pictures going from news to sports or entertainment. Among the list of lucky/deserving winners this year, there is Andrew Quilty a young talented Australian photographer who did a black and white photo essay on Maxwelton annual race in outback Queensland. “ I had about 10 messages waiting on my phone all saying congratulations. I took me about 3 messages to work out what they were all talking about” he recalls. “It wasn't something that I thought I would achieve for a very long time.” On May 22nd, Andrew Quilty will be to the Library to talk about his work. A rare opportunity to have an explanation straight from the artist himself. (Free but booking essential.)

Ever since ’99 when I stopped wearing my Baby G watch that stored all my Grade 6 pals phone numbers in it I just haven’t had the same affinity with time… until now. The Human Clock is a website that shows you a photo of the current time, updating every minute of the day. People from all over the world send in photos that represent a certain time, whether they are making the numbers with their bodies, friends bodies or pineapple pieces, mustard and carrots. It’s whole lot less annoying than a cuckoo clock or speaking clock, plus you can contribute to it yourself! Besides, analogue clocks are so seventeenth century.

If you're a fan of local music, the name Cybele Manalowski is bound to be familiar. From freezing moments of onstage magic and snapping happy fans to producing clever and timeless artist portraits - Cybele is one of Australia's most talented music photographers. Fitting then that Sydney's MTV gallery  should host her latest exhibition, "Loudlight". With subjects such as Daniel johns, Catcall and PNAU (who's lovely mugs you are viewing to your left) the collection should appeal to both the music and art lover. Check it out when it opens on April 17.

Proving again their nonpareil status as purveyors of all things sweet and cool; Melbourne boutique FAT is now stocking the funky little Lomolitas and fish-eye, unique Oktomat and perfectly old-school Diana cameras. The Lomolitas are simple, single use numbers that in a range of personality-friendly colours (yellow, blue, red and green) and are pre-loaded with 24 exposure film; making pretty neat for everyday use (and every big-night-out use also). Meanwhile, if you are feeling more adventurous the Lomo Oktomat is one of those crazy cameras that take multi-framed shots - press the shutter once and eight wee lenses fire off. And for you classicists is the Diana +; Lomo's faithful homage to the dreamy, 1960's original. I think the Diana+ is my favourite as not only is it itself aesthetically beautiful but it takes the sort of images you see to your left - washed-out and sepia toned and beautiful. Sigh.

This picture reminds me of the dream I had the other night; me, all Matrix-style, going grocery shopping flying from one line to another, picking a shampoo bottle here, a loaf of bread there, like the superhero I am inside. In the morning, when dragging myself out of the bed, the gravity theory makes it clear, and painful, that life is, but a dream.
But this picture is actually completely real. No tricks, no magical effect whatsoever. Just a good old film camera, a very nippy photographer and hell of good hip hop dancers. From April 5th as part of FotoFreo festival, Perth Centre of Photography is hosting Hypers, an exhibition by French photographer Denis Darzacq. His general work is about the place of citizen in democratic society. Hypers is following World Press-winning series The Fall, where Darzacq gave his own visual reflection on 2005 French suburbs riots. The exhibition lasts for a month. Go, run, FLY!

This is a photo of Sydney artist Erin Forsyth. It was taken in her bedroom/studio by her friend Samoh, who - as it turns out- is pretty good with a camera. Samoh takes lots of B&W pictures of various Sydney creatives/ knock-a-bouts/ locals/ skate-rats etc which are all lovely and rich and quiet and loud and nice to look at. You can look at them here.