Simon Taylor Journals: This section is a collection of thoughts, exhibition reviews, camera tests and general photographic articles.

Mick O Magic camera

Stephen Shore: New Colour Photography

Stephen Shore: New Colour Photography – Documentary Film.

Stephen Shore was one of the lead photographers that embraced colour photography in 1970’s America.

Long Shot Close Up

Andreas Gursky – Imposing Images

Andreas Gursky’s large imposing images are either packed edge to edge with detail or minimised and deprived of anything distracting. The former Dusseldorf School student has a unique way of documenting a place.

Empire Through the Lens

Photography is so important to understanding colonialism.” Gus Casely-Hayford.

The power of the photography is amplified in this exhibition. My visit left me with sadness, disbelief and determination. The sadness is for the many black lives who suffered the years of slavery under the British Empires.

Bath Photography Festival

Bath Photography Festival 2018

collaborationBath Photography Festival 

I have created an artist call out for a photographic exhibition. The theme is Real / Unreal and select work will hopefully be shown in 3-6 venues across Bath.

The foundations of Cinema

Sallie Gardner at a Gallop (Muybridge, E. 1878)

Eadweard Muybridge created a series of the photographic moving image, that arguably are the foundations of the cinematic image.

David Hockney

David Hockney – Tate Britain – 9 February – 29 May 2017

From the day I first saw the carefully crafted Polaroid portraits that David Hockney had created, I was inspired.

Photo London

Photo London 2017 – Somerset House – Thursday 18 May to Sunday 21 May

I visited Photo London for the first time this week. The festival is in its third year, with work-displayed museums, auction houses and galleries.

The Radical Eye – Tate Modern

The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography From The Sir Elton John Collection
10 November – 7 May 2017

Elton John’s collection of photography is immense. Most are black and white portraits including Irvine Penns abstract images of Elton John himself.

The Psychic Lens

The Psychic Lens: Surrealism and the camera
Atlas Gallery – 24 November 2016 – 28th January 2017

Twelve photographs by Man Ray and two by Bill Brandt; well to me that’s an exhibition worth investigating.

Georgia O’Keefe – Tate Modern

Georgia O’Keefe – Tate Modern
6th July – 30th October 2016

I had been eagerly anticipated Georgia O’Keefe exhibition and I was not disappointed. This was a vast collection of work spanned across the whole of the artist’s career.

Leica Factory and Store Wetzlar

LEITZ PARK – 2016

I was fortunate enough to visit the new Leica Camera AG headquarters complex at the Leitz Park in Wetzlar, Germany earlier this year. The architecture is fascinating as it is based on the Leica lenses design.

Garry Winogrand

American photographer Garry Winogrand – 14 January 1928 – 19 March 1984

After a visit to New York in 2010, I found I had a greater understanding of Garry Winogrand ‘s approach to photography.

Photographing Adders (Vipera berus)

Adders will only use their venom as a last means of defence

The adder is not an aggressive snake, but is the only venomous snake native to Britain.

Vogue 100: A Century of Style

Manchester Art Gallery from 24 June to 30 October 2016.

Whilst on a visit to Manchester I saw the Vogue 100 exhibition, which I had missed when it was held at the National Portrait Gallery earlier this year.

Buzz Aldrin – The Photographer

Buzz Aldrin – No Dream is Too High

Recently, at the Forum in Bath, I had the pleasure of listening to Buzz Aldrin talk about his life.

Strange and Familiar

Strange and Familiar: Britain as Revealed by International Photographers
Curated by Martin Parr

Barbican Art Gallery, Barbican Centre, UK: 16 March – 19 June 2016

Utopia-Dystopia

Is the world utopia and are we dystopia?

This series of images is one of many studies I have done looking at the world from a utopia-dystopia viewpoint.

The Northern Lights

Reykjavík, Iceland

It was a clear night in the Þingvellir district of Iceland, not a cloud could be seen. The sun was now becoming tired and was drifting out of sight to rest.

Scorpion Flies, Dragonflies and Beetles

Small creatures

The colourful micro world that lives below and flies above us can be intriguing to photograph due to all of natures fine detail.

Grayson Perry: Who Are You?

The Vanity of Small Differences  – Grayson Perry
Exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath – 9 January – 10 April 2016

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei is a visionary, a philosopher and a spokesperson for human rights issues. His art creates awareness and poses questions which communicate clearly across many cultures.

Saul Leiter Exhibition

Saul Leiter Exhibition At The Photographers Gallery – 22 Jan – 3 Apr 2016

Thanks to The Photographers Gallery, I had the chance to see Saul Leiters (1923-2013) work, up close and personal.

Julia Margaret Cameron – Exhibition

Julia Margaret Cameron – V&A Exhibition

I first saw Julia Margaret Cameron (1815 – 1879) work at the Dimbola Lodge museum, which use to be her home on the Isle of Wight.

The Photographers 2015 Exhibition

The Photographers 2015 – Beetles + Huxley Gallery and Osborne Samuel Gallery

The Photographers 2015 exhibition is an annual event held by two leading London art galleries, Beetles+Huxley and Osborne Samuel.

Photographing what is in your Garden

Common Toad

I recently photographed “toad of toad hall”! Well I like to think so because I grew up listening to voiceovers by Johnny Morris on Animal Magic, who added human characteristic to all animals and creatures he met.

Leica SL (Typ 601) Preview

This month I attended a pre-launch even at the Leica Mayfair headquarters to hear about the new Leica SL interchangeable lens camera. The press had been the day before and there was a lot of hype from the videographers that this camera could be a game changer.

Event Photography

Frampton Country Show – Sunday 13th September 2015

This year’s Frampton fair was once again a big success with thousands of visitors attending.  The major attractions included parachutists from ‘Jump 4 Heroes’, an aerobatic display and a jousting reenactments that also incorporated the signing of Magna Carta on its 800th anniversary.

Victoria Hillman Zoologist And Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife and Nature Photography

I caught up with Victoria Hillman a scientist by training with a BSc in zoology and a self-taught photographer. We discussed Victoria’s current project “Forgotten Little Creatures” and I ask how she approached wildlife photography.

Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II

A day with a Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II

It appears that the Japanese camera manufacturer Olympus has returned to its mythological roots, by which I mean Mount Olympus.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2015

The 37th annual Bristol balloon fiesta took place on the 6th – 9th August with over 100 balloons ascending across the city of Bristol.

Photographing nature respectfully

In the field with Victoria Hillman

I recently worked with Victoria Hillman setting up a natural photography course, which focused on being respectful to the environment.

Leica M9 Photo Walk

Leica M9 Photo Walk – Bristol

Exploring and photographing the streets of any village, town or city is always exciting and rewarding. I usually find several moments or subjects to photograph that redefines my views of the place.

Wildlife off the U.K coast

Puffins, Puffins and more Puffins… oh and a rabbit

The beautiful island of Skomer is set just off the Welsh coast. It is a scenic and tranquil Wildlife trust reserve, which is well worth visiting.

Photographing Properties

Frampton Court

I was recently asked to photograph Frampton Court, a privately owned listed building steeped in history.

Coastal photography

Perfect place for photography

Tranquility can easily be found along the beautiful North side of Gower. The marshes and sandy beaches are fenced off by a woodland barrier that removes the busy technology world we live in.

The North – Exhibition

The World Of Glass St Helens

This series of images were taken outside Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral and to me visually symbolise the feel and character of Liverpool.

Illuminate Bath 2015

Illuminate Bath 2015 festival

Great show of projections and illuminations that can be viewed at several historic sites, such as The Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge. This is a must-see exhibition.

Leica M From The Photographers View

Celebrating 60 Years of Leica M

Hear how using Leica cameras have inspired some of the best modern day photographers. . Each photographers has picked one of their favourite photograph and shares the story of how it was captured. These short videos are very inspiring and give you an insight in why everyone aspires to a Leica M Camera.

Bath Christmas Market

The Bath Christmas Market

Eighteen days of festive celebrating and shopping, this is a great time to see the city of Bath. Over a 150 wooden chalets surround the Bath Abbey and Roman Baths. The market traders offer beautiful handmade gifts, decorations and best of all in my case food and local beers.

Nick Dimbleby

Interview with Nick Dimbleby

This month I had chance to catch up with UK based photographer Nick Dimbleby who has extensive portfolio of automotive images. Nick has worked for Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover to name a few. I thought I would find out how Nick became a commercial photographer.

Cheltenham Races

A day at the races

The official UK launch of the Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 pro lens at Cheltenham racecourse gave me an opportunity to capture a day at the races. I tried out two Olympus lens, the new 40-150 and the 75mm f1.8 with the sole intention of recording a general overview of the event. Photographing the build up before a race, the crowds, the hats, the jockeys and of course a race.

Autumn Colours

The 9th November 2014

I headed out early, in the slanting autumn light. My aim was to capture the warm colours of the changing season. The rich reds, browns and yellows leaves merge together with the green grass and blue sky creating a vibrant artist pallet. There is always something magical about this time of year and from a photography point of view it is like Christmas.

Film Noir Experiment

Film Noir

A motion picture style developed in the 1940s and 1950s, which became iconic due to its contrasting lighting. The filming approach would often create a very eerie, bleak and stark mood. Elongated shadows would add suspense and where synonymous to the genre.

Rene Burri 1933-2014

Rene Burri A Photographic Master

Swiss photographer René Burri knew when to capture a precise moment. Burri captured some of the most striking and dramatic black and white images ever taken. As a photojournalist Burri traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East. In 1963 his travels took him to Cuba, where he had the opportunity to meet and photograph the revolutionary Che Guevara.

Dennis Hopper – The Lost Album

Dennis Hopper: The Lost Album – The Royal Academy Of Arts

Dennis Hopper, the actor who stared in classic films such as Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet, and the iconic Easy Rider, was also an accomplished photographer. Hopper said that his photographs never made him a cent, however they kept him alive.

Frampton Country Fair 2014

Frampton Country Fair 2014

The sun rose on another warm, sunny day in England. Yes you read correctly, sunny and England in the same sentence. According to the Met Office, this September has been the driest on record for a century.

Panasonic GH4 Stills

Stills from video

Recently, I had an opportunity to take the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on a brief photo-walk around the historical market town of Dursley in Gloustershire. I concentrated on shooting short video clips, lasting around ten seconds, to test the new 4K video systems.

Modern Artist In Print

Modern Artists in print – Bath Victoria Art Gallery

The first image I encountered at the Victoria Gallery’s new exhibition was not a lithograph or an etching (as I expected) but a photograph. To me this highlighted one of the parallels between being a fine art printer and a photographer that is the ability to reproduce limited edition print runs.

Miniature world

44ad Art space

44ad Art space in Bath will be holding their summer open show from 8th August – 23rd August 2014. I have had some of my work excepted for the exhibition which is entitled “Life in miniature”

Hover Fly

Macro test

The Hover fly is one of the more favourable inhabitants for any garden, as it preys upon pest insects. The Hover fly will perfectly suspend itself, silently looking where its next pollen search will be. It is this stationary position, which makes it a good subject to photograph.

Wimbledon 2014

Women’s Semi Final

It is hot and very still, you could not ask for a better English summers day. It is 3rd of July, the Wimbledon Ladies semi-finals and the competition looks wide open. I am in the crowd on Centre Court for the first time, my seat is high up in the spectator area and the view is surprisingly good.

Balloon flight

A balloon flight is a must do, if you get the chance!

The clouds put a gentle reassuring arm around me, as the balloon floated peacefully over the world below. This sense of calm and restfulness during the flight was truly magical. I felt the observational view really put a different perspective on the way I see the world we live in. 

Five-spot Burnet Moth

The midday sun glowed in the sky and the light breeze patted me on my back as I climbed Cley Hill. The botanically rich mound is a naturists delight full of wild flowers, which act as high-rise flats to the swarm of insects that inhabit the hilltop.

The Circus, Bath – Magazine Cover

The Circus in Bath is one of the most celebrated examples of Georgian architecture in the city of Bath. The Grade I listed building was designed by the architect John Wood in 1754 and completed by his son in 1768.

Bath Fringe Festival

Bedlam Sunday – 1st June 2014

Celebrating street artists in Bath.

There is almost nothing better to photograph than theoretical street artists performing charismatic caricatures. The juxtapositions always provide unusual and intriguing narratives for the viewers.

Bailey’s Stardust

6 February – 1 June 2014 National Portrait Gallery

I visited the David Bailey’s Stardust exhibition in April and was intriguingly surprised by some of the work shown. No, it was not the iconic passport style portraits of “A” listed celebrities, which by the way I like. It was the inquisitive addition of a series of portraits taken on a smart phone.

Henri Cartier-Bresson: MOMA

Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century

I was fortunate enough to visit The Museum of Modern Art in 2010 and see the vast body of Henri Cartier-Bresson work on the sixth floor. The exhibition covered Cartier-Bressons whole career and included with many iconic images that I had seen before.

One Years Of Leica Photography

100 years of Leica photography, 100 years of captivating emotive images and 100 years of great photographers.

I have been inspired by so many photographers who have used Leica cameras, including  Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, Robert Frank, Robert Capa and Tony Ray-Jones to just a few. For me a lot of these photographers have set the bench mark I aspire to.

The Specials – Brian Griffin

At the Format Festival this year I had the pleasure of meeting photographer Brian Griffin. We discussed his colourful career, which includes photographing many well-known characters ranging from Margaret Thatcher to Chewbacca from Star Wars.

Hidden Bath

I tried out a Fuji X-E1 camera with a 18-55mm lens, as I am looking for a credible alternative to my Canon 5D MkIII, for the days when it’s size and weight are not practical. My first impressions were good, the Fuji X-E1 is relatively intuitive and I was set up and ready to go in a couple of minutes.

Deutsche Börse Prize 2014

The Photographers Gallery is exhibiting the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2014 finalists. The standard of work is incredible high. The overall winter Richard Moss, produced very powerful, emotive and thought provoking work.

Introduction

I though I would start a page noting down some of my thoughts. This is normally called a blog however; the word does not create interest to me as it sounds like how a tortoise would move.