1930s - so much talent

The National Portrait Gallery is currently showing an exhibition of Vanity Fair photographic portraits from 1913 - 1936 and 1983 - 2008.

In his essay for the exhibition, Terence Pepper says 'The launch of Vanity Fair by the visionary publisher Conde Nast coincided with the birth of modernism, the dawning of the Jazz Age and the mould-breaking avant-garde art in the American public.'

The whole exhibition was incredible, with the (mostly small) photographs evoking a sense of wonder at seeing these historically great figures in such ordinary and natural ways, with the 1920s and 1930s quickly becoming my favourite sections.

Who could be anything other than inspired at seeing Adele and Fred Astaire in their twenties, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Rebecca West, Virginia Woolf, Pablo Picasso, Amelia Earhart, Claude Monet, Louis Armstrong, Greta Garbo, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, and Cary Grant all looking so normal with only a twinkle in their eye to betray their destiny for greatness.

Then there is W.C. Fields in his pajamas, a young Albert Einstein and D.H. Lawrence looking utterly shy and uncomfortable in front of the camera, plus a beautifully soft portrait of Ernest Heminway wearing a felt cap,

What can I say, it was a beautiful reminder of just how much talent came out of that period in time. If you are able, go see the exhibition...it is on until August 30, 2009.

I think I will treasure my copies of Vanity Fair all the more for having seen the great people they promoted, and often gave a start to, in the past.

Image 1: Louis Armstrong, by Anton Bruehl, 1935, publ. November 1935. Credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Image 2: Jesse Owens, by Lusha Nelson, 1935, publ. September 1935. Credit: Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

Twenty600

So, I'm sure I've told most of you already, but for those I haven't....

There is a cool, new magazine in town, Twenty600. It is written by Canberrans, pokes fun at Canberra, pays tribute to Canberra, reviews gigs, provides coming attractions, and is basically all about Canberra. It aims (and succeeds I might add) to fill a hole in the 20/30-something market.

I was asked to help out with some photography, and the Winter 08 (Issue number 3) saw my first published pics (other than winning photo comps etc).

Here are a couple of original images, and scanned pages. The first image is our bios, we had to google ourselves for an alter-ego. The second pic was for a story about the epidemic that is sweeping once-sane women who are now obsessed with counting calories and discussing how many kilojoules are in every bite they consume.

The next lot of pics were taken for a story on the way the media (and society) portrays women and sexuality.

Hope you enjoy....look out for the next edition!

Christopher Tovo

We went to the Athenaeum on Saturday night to see the Chaser's Variety Hour, and in the foyer there was an exhibition of black and white photographs. I couldn't stop looking at them, even as I was dragged into the theatre.

I contacted the Athenaeum and found out who's exhibition it was.....Christopher Tovo. The exhibition is called the Smoking Gun. Check out his website, his work is breathtaking! In fact, I would go as far as to say he is my new favourite photographer!!!

Jump right in!

Ok, here goes nothing. My first ever blog entry!

This all started because I've been tasked with researching some social media ideas for work and I thought the best thing was just to throw myself in and get some first-hand experience!

I'm not sure what form this blog will take, it will probably evolve as I go, and I suppose that is sort of the point really. :o)

Anyway, stay tuned for the next edition.

J