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Jackanory: That was the NYPH08 that was
I was pretty much wiped out by the time the weekend rolled around. I
feel like I have overdosed on everything photography and am ready for a
stint in rehab. That being said though one took a more relaxed approach
to Saturday and Sundays schedule following the hyperbole that was day 1
and day 2. Yes I know I can be like the annoying excited kid who has
just run up to tell you everything before he can catch his breath;
that’s just the way we roll from time to time. I have been trying to
manage my sentence structure a little better but I don’t really have
any formal training in the written word.
It’s been a blast to check out of the real world for a few days and
enter the bubble that was my NYPH08. I had some purpose to being
embedded though it feels like I was M.I.A. from reality for an age. It
was all pretty anti climactic slinking away from the festival on Sunday
afternoon well before closing time. Dumbo is only 3 subway stops from
home but it seemed like a world away as I ascended the steps to Houston
street to resume my life proper again. Thanks Foto 8 I had a lot of fun
and am grateful for the opportunity and the challenge. Don’t forget
folks I am a photographer after all, this blogging thing is just a
sidebar.
So yeah that was my original mission when I got my festival briefing.
What would an editorial and commercial photographer like myself get out
of NYPH08 ? Well apart from being a lot of fun, it was of course
inspiring, overwhelming and frustrating. I think the fact that the
festival had a smattering of all genres was welcoming for someone like
myself. A fan of the art I need a mixed bag. The relaxed environs made
for the easy mingle too; photographers of every persuasion were out and
about and this was particularly evident on the gorgeous day that was
Saturday. After Fridays rain out I steered clear of most of the
seminars and just wandered the streets and took in some of the other
attractions. The William Greiner show at the KlompChing gallery was a
stand out. Shame on you if you missed the opportunity. Its up till June
the 27th. Oh that’s my birthday by the way so if you want to get me one
of the prints to go that would be aok with me.
The Ballen and Gill (although I didn’t see it but the word was)
seminars were the standouts from the first 2 days but then Simon
Norfolk brought his shock and awe show to the St Ann’s Warehouse arena.
Boy oh boy did he serve up a real treat on Saturday afternoon. We got
ourselves a proper schooling. I walked away questioning my own art,
what the f**k am I doing, even on a good day I don’t deserve to shine
this guy’s shoes. Yeah man this was another one you just had to be at.
Where were you when Simon Norfolk took the stage at NYPH08. Well I was
there and left feeling like a peon wallowing in the backward divisions
of the lower conferences constantly fighting the relegation battle. And
you know what I wasn’t the only one. As the packed house decamped the
darkened auditorium and made its way out on to the sun splashed street
it’s as if we had all just discovered the light and then the depression
of our own inadequacies set in.
Norfolk was scary good, not only the work of course but his
presentation was hypnotic. Yes we all love the 8x10 enviro porn but
he’s on a mission baby, all is not as it seems. I had no idea prior
really what was involved in his thought process. Oh and of course he
brought it during the Q&A, his stage craft is all master and
commander with a dose of irony and British humor. Just as Norfolk had
deftly knocked all comers out the park here comes the humdinger we are
all waiting for but hope we never hear when the middle aged weekend
warrior / Sunday driver came out with the prerequisite doozy ! “Do you
prefer film or digital” Can’t f**ckn believe it myself. I was waiting
but thought we had managed to live for another seminar. I was cringing
with the embarrassment but Norfolk handled it deftly I don’t think the
questioner even knew what hit her. Well played Sir, you put her in her
place swiftly ! And did anyone even notice that amongst all the
warmongering talk he sported a natty shirt with skulls and roses,
that’s styling !
Sunday morning we took in a little of the VII seminar at their off site
location. Would have been better if this were located closer to
festival central. I have no idea why not but they had a rather sizeable
auditorium and I think this was the closest available venue. There was
quite a crowd on hand. If you wanted to meet some of the finest photo
journalists in the world this was the place to be. They were all just
hanging around and all extremely approachable. The program was running
behind when I hit the scene. I had been hoping to see the incredibly
talented Benjamin Lowy presentation which I did followed by the
Christopher Morris presentation which I did not as I decamped the late
running schedule to run down the hill for the Kathy Ryan led panel
discussion on the future of photography.
Oh and in case you were wondering the big daddy James Nachtwey did in
fact make his originally planned appearance although he had been
scratched from the mornings line up card.
I was a little late and missed the first 15 minutes of the panel only
to find no KR but the (Martin) Parrster himself running the show. Looks
like there was a last minute change in plan much to the audiences
chagrin. There were a lot of disgruntled punters on the street after as
the rain returned. They had been there from the beginning and there was
no announcement made as to the change in format. Most I am sure were
hoping to steal a nugget or two and get an insight into where KR thinks
its all going and how they could land themselves a plum assignment for
the New York Times magazine.
Yes the general consensus was that the festival was indeed a great
success. You know you will never please all the people all the time no
matter what. It was in fact the ideal venue although I do wonder for
next year because some of the spaces used are retail/commercial and are
presently for let; what with the neighborhood thriving this square
footage might not be available. At times some of the organization left
a lot to be desired but some aspects improved as the days went on. All
of a sudden on the Saturday there were signs and banners everywhere
with arrows and stuff pointing you in the right directions.
I spoke to one French photographer taking part in the Chisel pavilion
(play the guessing game) and his overall impression was very positive
as a veteran of many festivals. We did agree however that maybe an
outdoor café/bar on a pedestrianized Main street from the powerHouse
arena down to the water front mark park might have been a stellar idea.
He even thought a party in the park on one of the evening would have
been super cool with a DJ and dancing, away from the books and
merchandise. So yeah don’t forget to knock me up for ideas organizing
committee NYPH09. I am guessing there will be a festival next year, I
hope so although there was an official press conference which I missed
so no idea what the plan is sorry. Oh and yeah another note to the
organizing committee maybe a restroom in the media lounge next time
would be a choice idea.
And a big AND ! Does anyone know if the seminars were audio and
visually recorded. I didn’t see any evidence and forgot to get any sort
of official confirmation or not. It will be a crying shame if this is
not the case. What a waste.
As I have said before I could probably cut and paste all the earlier
sightings because they were mostly all on site again. Although we did
spot a few new faces over the weekend including photographers: Martin
Schoeller, Gregory Crewdson lining up and paying for his ticket just
like everyone else, Jessica Bacchaus, Kevin Cooley, Arun Kuplas, Ofer
Wolberger, Michelle Pedone and Megan Maloy.
So there you had it all in all a most enjoyable and satisfying
experience. Personal highlights include the Ballen, Wylie, Norfolk,
Parr & Kessells presentations, the parties, the sun when it shone,
Stefan Ruiz introducing me to just about everyone; this man knows just
about everyone much respect, meeting Michel Mallard, Mr Phillip
Toledano, Steve Pyke, Michael David Murphy, drinking with Vincent
Laforet, Chase Jarvis, Joerg Colberg, the David Alan Harvey loft party,
being chauffered home after by Vincent Laforet oh and of course all the
other I met along the way photographers and most of the photography.
Many thanks to everyone who saw my picture and said they liked it. Oh
and many thanks again for reading the ramblings it was a real treat to
have you along I hope you have found it somewhat educational if not
entertaining.
---
Andrew Hetherington is a
freelance editorial and commercial photographer. Originally from
Dublin, Ireland he has lived in New York City for the past 13 years. A
Photo District News emerging photographer to watch in 2003 he has also
won awards for his work from American Photography, Communication Arts
and American Photo. A contributing photographer to Wired and ESPN the
Magazine he also works for GQ, Details, Esquire, Conde Nast Portfolio,
Mens Health and Fortune. He is the author of the popular photo blog
‘Whats the jackanory ? ’.
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