Gaijin Photographers` Group Meeting 7^th March 2010

The third meeting of GPG was another great evening. Thank you to all who came and contributed.

Last night we saw presentations from the following. I tried to pick up some images from websites – but sorry it was not possible for many of your websites. Just let me know if you would like me to remove or add any images:

I have posted some write-ups and web links below, in no particular order. Please let me know if I have missed anybody!

Mark

Mark Pearson

Zen Foto Gallery, Shibuya

www.zen-foto.jp

http://zenfotogallery.blogspot.com/

James Whitlow Delano

A visit to China in December to investigate the impact of pollution. Remarkable images from Heilongjian – coal mining and PVC production and the resulting pollution. There is some sensitivity on China`s part to taking photographs in this region. How far can it go on like this?

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/jameswhitlowdelano/gallery-list

Rob Gilhooly

Rob started out with a review of the World Press Photo awards.

http://www.worldpressphoto.org/

We even had a couple of the prizewinners in the room with us! Many congratulations to Paolo Patrizi who has picked up three prizes for his work within the past siz months.

Rob went on to show photographs from two of his series. Firstly the fascinating and very moving images from the Jukai – deep forest near Mt. Fuji that is known as a suicide destination. Rob has been there 20 times or so, and has gotten himself lost at times, including once being stranded overnight. Next he showed more moving images from Taiji dolphin hunters in Wakayama, again at some considerable personal risk.

Rob`s website:

http://www.japanphotojournalist.com/japanphotographer/News_and_feature_photography.html

Gianni Giosue

Gianni showed us three sets. First, a day in the life of wheelchair-bound Gholum from Kashmir. Next up was his documentary of a day walking the bridges of Srinagar, again capturing a day which ended up in the middle of a street protest against the police. Finally Gianni showed us his work on the JKSMS organization helping women and children in Jaipur. Very impressive series of work from another of the incredibly well-travelled photographers in our group.

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gianni_giosue/gallery-list

Koga Norio

Koga-san showed us his photographs from a number of different countries. One of his themes was the strangeness of Chinese girls` relationships. Lots of potential there, I think. Another theme is the similarity of many places around the world with places in Japan. Kanagawa seemed to be very heavily featured. Keep `em coming Norio!

http://www.artbirds.jp/koganorio/gallery.html

Shinichi Sato

Shinichi brought his images from a year spent in San Francisco. This was a popular and entertaining set, bringing nostalgic sighs from several members of the audience. He went to SF thinking of having a break from photography, but after a short while could not resist getting his large format camera out, clearly showing how awed Shinichi was during his visit.

Check out his website for his professional work:

http://www.satoshinichi.com

Carlos Jurado

When does Carlos Jurado sleep? He seems to work throughout the night, especially during typhoons, it appears, clambering precariously over jagged rocks and standing waist deep in icy seas and along treacherous coastline. But the results are worth it! Beautiful and haunting photographs. Carlos also has a strange obsession with Tetrapods.

http://www.zonezero.com/exposiciones/fotografos/jurado/libro/index.html

Dan Abbe

Dan writes a blog on Japanese photography and shoots for his own enjoyment. He showed images from his trip last summer around Hokkaido. Wakkanai got it`s second mention of the evening! Dan`s image of people in front of a fountain maybe the single most popular shot of the evening!

http://street-level.mcvmcv.net/

Daisuke Ito

Daisuke has spent much time in Cuba, Mexico and Rio. Sorry we could not read his storage device, but the prints from the Favelas of Rio, Cuban Boxing and Mexico were very impressive indeed. Enthusiastically presented in a cocktail of languages which we by and large understood! Well done on nomination for the Sony World Photography Awards for that gritty work on Cuban boxing.

www.saudade-foto.com

Harukichi

Harukichi describes himself as an amateur pho"toy"grapher. Well done for self-publishing his book of photographs using a Koller half frame camera. Most unusual camera of the night. Quite impressive image quality for a toy camera.

http://jizou.pornomen.org/

And th th th th that`s all folks!

Thank you again to all the above!

Next meeting: Hopefully in a month or two..