handsome things

Michaela Verity is a freelance photographer and owner of Black Dog Photographic Studios in Observatory. She also works for the Big Issue and some of her covers include Ryan O’Conner and The Dirty Skirts.

In my first question I flex some journalistic muscle and show off my deep knowledge of photography by asking her whether she owns any pets.

I live in Rosebank, Cape Town, which is a bittersweet deal as everyone who lives in Rosebank seems to have at least 50 dogs and puppies. They all congregate in the park after work and I am eternally jealous of these dog owners. So no, I don’t have pets. And yes, that’s a sore point. My dog, George, lives in Brakpan. I visit him as much as I can.

At the moment I am working hard at spreading word of Black Dog Studios. I started this business at the beginning  of the year with a fellow photographer Sally Mellish. We offer studio and community darkroom hire at VERY affordable prices. Working on the studio takes up most of my time. Building something sustainable is my goal at the moment, that and keeping myself fed. I love to show the space to new clients, it brings me so much joy. We’re at  86 Station Road, Observatory.

My photographs are all just an extension of a larger idea. I don’t like to single any out and I hate to talk about what I enjoy about photographing.   Although I am hardly technical in my approach I do love handling large analogue cameras and I find nothing more satisfying than printing my own photographs in the darkroom.

Have a look at Michaela’s website for more.

Black dog Studios and Photographic Resource Centre offers a black studio, Cove Wall and colorama back drops.  Great selection of lighting for additional hire, amazing natural light.  Full dressing room facility.  Darkroom printing.

- Use it so we can make sure she stays fed!

You can email her at mvertity1@gmail.com

Thanks Michaela!

Tags: photography

Luca Vincenzo keeps a diary by capturing his life on film. And what a colourful life he leads. He tells us a bit more about the parts that are not caught on film.

The disposable diaries is the title of my on-going photo journal or photo blog or photo diary or whatever they are called.

I am an aspiring art director from Cape Town and I started bitoCREATIVE as a production company for my endeavours into video (see the film reel http://www.bitocreative.com/film-reel/) and photography.

Otherwise, my current project is Monarch Mountain Records (no web links yet), a music label and sound design company, with TeeJay from coffeestainedvinyl (http://soundcloud.com/coffeestainedvinyl) and the band New Holland. Our record label is looking to work with some brilliant new acts from South Africa, most notably Holiday Murray and la.vi.

Also, my day job is presenting a daily radio show on 2OVfm (www.2oceansviberadio.com), a new digital radio station broadcasting from Cape Town.

In my spares, I share things that are nice to look at or listen to on a blog http://killingbirdswithstones.wordpress.com/

Thanks Luca!

Tags: photography

I’ve been seeing people tagged on Facebook in the I’ve Been Shot in Jo’burg albums, but I never knew exactly what it was about until I saw their stall at the Market on Main this past Sunday and had a chat to Bernard Viljoen. I was blown away.

I was shot in Joburg is a business venture which was established to provide a platform for former street kids who received photography training through the iwasshot Foundation (NPO).

The children receive 6 months of basic photography training and they use disposable cameras to document their immediate environment. In this case Hillbrow. This culminates in an annual exhibition. From there they receive more in-depth digital photography and computer training for another 6 months. Once they have completed the year they can join the I was Shot brand and start generating their own income.

The cool thing is YOU can book these photographers for your next event and help them make a living from their newly acquired skill.

Other ways to help: + Buy a canvas print from the collection. + Buy the iwasshot T-shirt. + Order your iwasshot photo online – www.iwasshot.co.za + Attend their exhibitions (mail them to get on the mailing list). + Or simply donate to their foundation to support future projects with street children.

For more information contact Bernard Viljoen info@bernard.co.za

Wow. Great work guys.

Tags: photography

“It’s a known fact that too many cooks spoil the broth. In this case though I beg to differ. Kat Trim, Nicola Cooper and myself threaten to get together and create. A lot. It normally starts with a heck of a lot of conceptualising, then ends up being a night at my house drinking too much red wine and some adlib ideas flying around like a wild bird out a cage, which is awesome. That’s just the way I like it. Don’t spoil a beautiful thing by thinking it to death. Think it, try it, be it. If it doesn’t work then only change your mind.”

Have a look at more of Jacqui’s photography here.

Tags: photography

“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

I am 20 years old and currently finishing my third year as a photography student at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography. (I will graduate at the end of the 2011 with a B.A. in Applied Design and my major being photography.) My film photographs are mainly taken with my 35mm Holga and either underwater disposable or normal disposable cameras. I am interested in double and multi exposures which I experiment with using my Holga.

I am drawn to the beauty of light, water and the ocean. Three of my favourite things. My friends and travelling are two of my inspirations – I have amazingly talented, beautiful friends. My future plans include moving to Cape Town in the new year and trying to assist and build up a portfolio as a freelance photographer. I am interested in conceptual fashion photography so I am hoping to gain experience in this genre of photography as soon as possible.

Continue reading →

Tags: photography

At the moment I’m living in PE and I’m busy finishing my last year of photography here before I hopefully disappear into a side alley full of bakeries somewhere in Europe next year.

I’m kind of in love with that idea. In the end, for me, it’s about loving, travelling the world and photographing it all. My happiness comes from those things really, and if I could listen to some really good music whilst doing it, life would be pretty perfect.

I’m inspired by so many photographers and things around me, but most notably I’d say natural light which is just so magical, and movement.

Besides that, when I’m not working (which is never) I’m drawing, giving in to my tea and pastry addiction, or catching up on sleep. Oh how I miss my sleep.

We adore your photography Amy.

Amy’s blog is absolutely gorgeous and so are her illustrations (yes, she also illustrates. I know what you’re thinking — but can she can make lemon meringue pie with her feet? Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she could)

Go to there. http://amyscheepers.blogspot.com/

Tags: photography

Where do you live?
I moved to Cape Town eight months ago and I no longer remember where I came from.

How did you get into photography?
I studied fine arts and I realised the pictures I take of my drawings are better than the drawings themselves.

Film or digital?
Digital. I’d like to do some work in the darkroom again, does anyone know of a cheapskate darkroom facility in Cape Town?

Do you have pets?
I had a dog when I was 10. He ripped all my clothing to pieces in the most loving way you can imagine and did the same to the jersey my aunt knitted for him.

If you could invent a new swear word what would it be and what would it mean?
I haven’t invented any swear words recently. But a few days ago I invented “awky” which is a way to say okay awkwardly. Swearwords are relevant to my interests though.

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It was incredibly hard picking only a few photos to feature, there are way too many great ones. Check out the rest of Retha’s photography and illustration on her website:  http://curiousgentlebreakthrough.com/

“Awky” then, thanks Retha! (We’ll make your word part of the the Handsome Things lexicon, maybe it’ll catch on. Then you can copyright it, put it on T-shirts, make tons of money and build your own dark room)

Tags: photography