OPEN DOORS

This is a space for Great Photography

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OPENDOORS // Julie Blackmon

My select from an extraordinary series. Charming, sensitive & somewhat idyllic childhood scenes

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OPENDOORS // Preview: Ken Grant's NO PAIN WHATSOEVER (Journal, 2014)

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OPENDOORS // Michael Abril

Still legal in the country despite the ban request from animal rights activists, this activity remains popular among a small percentage of the local population, belongs mostly to rural culture. Because of the profitable nature of this activity, mafias, alcohol and fights have been always mixed with it in some way.  Because of this, at least in the big cities, the coq fight become an underground and risky business. 

For many people in Columbia coq fighting is still an unknown and somewhat secret activity. I wanted to expose this from my photographic point of view, as a witness, without wanting to impose a specific message to viewers.  I wanted to show it as it is, in its beauty and cruelty, its paraphernalia and rituals, leaving to people to draw their own conclusions.  

On the other hand, I was very aware of the difficulty and the risks in going to these places to take photos. It is an underground activity where the gamblers have important amounts of money at stake, as a result there are many spectators and people involved that don't like being photographed (especially some with social, political or economical notoriety, or even in some cases, related to mafias, criminal organizations and activities). There is something that thrilled me and fascinated me about the idea of photographing what was happening in within these arenas and capturing a little bit of that through my photographs.

Note:  In October 2013, the photographer (Michael Abril) was awarded with the GRAND PRIX LUX 2013 (Qc, Canada) in the “Reportage-travel-tourism” category with five images from this photo-series.

www.michaelabril.com

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OPENDOORS // FERNANDO ELEAZAR

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OPENDOORS // Fred Herzog

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OPEN DOORS // Ian Teh

Undercurrents

From cross border tensions and benefits, the work force, the construction and destruction of communities, the people, the livelihoods... there is no one better to explore these themes than Ian Teh. 

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OPENDOORS // Arnaud Contreras

The Saharan Society is changing fast. 

"Most populated cities such as Tamanrasset or Timbuktu are microcosms revealing all the problems of those former touristic regions: threats of terrorism, traffics, illegal migration, pressure on cultural and natural heritages.

The only ways to escape this harsh reality for Saharan and Tuareg youth are through cybercafés, mobile phone culture, festivals and "soirées guitares" celebrating their guitar heroes, the "Ishumar", such as Tinariwen, Terakaft, Bombino, Tamikrest, and many other bands.

Within their songs they celebrate the link between their desert nature, old poetry, saharan culture and of course women, whose role is essential in their society.

Some texts may seem as a call for rebellion, but mainly those are calls for a self consciousness of their people, of their identity."

LISTEN HERE

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OPEN DOORS // Steve Kenward

MEET THE MAKERS - Over the course of 12 months, photographer Steve Kenward documented 46 craftspeople, shooting them in their place of work and examining the details that surround them. People that use traditional methods to make unique, hand crafted products that still have relevance today. These people are passionate about what they do and take care in everything they produce.

Exhibition on at Material Gallery

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OPEN DOORS // Negativeless Exhibition

All exhibited artworks are made without the use of a negative. This means everything on display is unique, quite something in the world of photography. In a world digitised, homogenised images this show delves into the photographers still equipped with the skills and the passion for these old school methods.

Richard Learoyd | Adam Fuss | Tif Hunter take these old techniques and bring their own contemporary twists. Pop in this weekend to Michael Hoppen Gallery to see this remarkable exhibition.

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OPENDOORS // Joseph Szabo, Priscilla, Jones Beach

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OPENDOORS // Instagram Takeover

Matt MacPake has been in charge of the instagram account this week. Uploading past & present projects. This is just a brief selection of the brilliant portraits and street photos we've been shown.

Photos from his Nottingham 'Goose Fair' & 'Between Places' projects

www.mattmacpake.co.uk

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Antoine Bruy's wonderful project 'Scrubland' was featured here a little while ago... Exploring Europe's few remaining wild places and the people who have decided to drop everything to live there. Discarding life's luxuries in exchange for living in paradise (if the photos are anything to go by). Since then Antoine has been continuing his snaking journey and contemplating it's finale. It's an important project that needs your help to complete and to get it "out there"... take a look at the project so far and watch the video then share & fund at will! http://en.fotofund.org/campaigns/scrublands

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"These images were taken in China in the regions of Inner Mongolia, East Turkistan and Tibet over 3 months in 1993. Travelling through the less travelled Peoples Republic of China gave me a glimpse into multitude of cultures, which are encompassed by the country." 

OPENDOORS // Kerstin Hacker - www.kerstinhacker.org

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OPENDOORS // David Fitt

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OPENDOORS // KEN_

Using a Lomo LC-A and a flash, Ken Shin walks us through his home town of San Francisco. This selection from his blog of his China town series particularly appeals to me. The largest Chinese community outside Asia it makes for an interesting culture clash.

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OPENDOORS // THE JOURNAL

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OPENDOORS // THE JOURNAL