Seaside Student Biscuits ahoy!

Week 12

NEW YORK

I'm back! This is going to be a long one. Put on the kettle and take a seat.

So as my last blog post so aptly described, I have been to New York. And, in no word of a lie, I wasn't in the least bit excited. For one I was very ill in the run up to the trip. This never puts you in the best mood, but right up to the last day before we left I was struggling for energy walking around for periods of 20 minutes or longer. For two, and this may seem a little materialistic of me, but I hate spending money on things with no tangible product. Perhaps why I dislike smoking and drinking so much.

Needless to say, if the week before the trip hadn't made me excited, airports certainly never fail too. Rocking up a full hour after everyone else ensured no queues at the check in (Despite being told to get there for 4 - The prudent time of departure for the coach was perhaps a little too prudent). The aim of airports is always the same. Drop your bags and make a beeline for the nearest bar/starbucks/place of liquid beverage sales. I was pleasantly unsurprised to find a good portion of the class (and tutors) in the bar.

To bring you back down to reality, the plane journey (once the initial excitement of take off wears) is suitably crap. We found our seats with the same delight/relief all passengers paying for one seat hope for, not being sat next to someone taking up two seats. Whilst I hear Air France is doing something to combat this, I'm unsure if Virgin Atlantic have adopted a similar approach. And no, it's nothing like the advert. Sorry lads.

Unlike a RyanAir flight, we landed in a geographically acceptable distance from our destination. A short coach ride on the dead NYC city streets saw us to our Hotel in quick enough time. We knew it wouldn't be that easy.

11:30pm..

"I'm sorry sir, who are you?" *casting eyes over the group of 40 students*
"Bournemouth Arts.. We have a reservation for ourselves and the 40 students behind us"
"Bournemouth who?"

The first round of keys given (fortunately it's a rather large hotel) sent half of us to rooms with people already in them. Sir of room 1381 if you are reading this, my apologies for trying to gain entry to your room at 1 in the morning. The second round of keys given only managed to make it into their respective doors at 3:30am local time. Which felt like 8:30am to us with all the jetlag nonsense. I'm formulating a theory that night staff are thus because as day staff (with the task of dealing with real customers) they would be useless. Oddly I arose at 7:45 fresh as a daisy.

From the Hotel

The first order of the day was breakfast (naturally) which landed us in a lovely little diner in Soho. Omelettes ensued and we left on the subway for photographer lecture number 1, Platon. If you are not familiar with Platon please take yourselves here, http://www.platonphoto.com/ and continue reading after a good peruse of his portfolio. I think the 'Magazine Covers' section gives you a good idea of the gravity.

Unfortunately I have no pictures of this because I'm not even kidding, as soon as that man starts talking you sit there and listen. If any middle management types want a lesson in captivating a boardroom, go see this bloke. It's almost eerie how you don't notice your bum going numb. And considering he's taken a portrait of every single leader at the United Nations, it was comforting to hear that even he still gets nervous before a shoot. A massively inspirational talk and a genuinely nice guy to boot. I could blow sunshine up arses all day so I'll stop here before it starts sounding religious.

After Platon we took a trip down to a new(ish) venture into the Stock photography industry, Win Initiative ( http://www.win-initiative.com/ ) and a talk from Hans Neleman. Unfortunately nothing was going to be able to follow Platon short of a full blown circus, so despite plugging us with wine (a good crowd pleaser!) it didn't quite have the same kick. Talking to students about stock photography was also never going to be an easy feat to pull. A little like talking to my mother about ISO's and F-Stops. Nevertheless the talk was informative and we got free postcards, as the name says, Win (Don't worry I knew that was going in there from the moment I read about it in the itinerary).

Three from outside the Win Initiative, where some sort of emergency appeared to be just ending,

James,

Jess and Abi,

Firemen,

And one from inside, Min and Maddy,

After the course part of the day was completely we headed to Republic for some food. I had some peanut beef satays that damn near blew my mouth off, but I hear from others the food was a mixture of 'alright' to 'meh'.

On the second day it decided to snow. And I mean the kind that makes looking where you are going somewhat difficult. Also the kind that doesn't like Converse.

The second day involved going to the International Center of Photography. At the risk of sounding incredibly uncultured, I believe this photo (especially Jacks body language) sums up my feelings on the ICP.

Infact, the majority of my time was spent sat in the cafe,

After the ICP I got to go to one of my new favouritistist places, B&H Photo Video. I'l paint the scene.. You're 8, and you've just walked into Toys R Us. End Scene. It's THAT good. I picked myself up a new toy. Excuse the dust, I need to clean my desk.

A small group of us then preceded to Tick Tock diner for a supposedly traditional/stereotypical New York dining experience. Whilst I'm sure the historical accuracy wasn't 100% I certainly had a damn good ceaser chicken wrap (Yes, very traditional) and a good old natter.

I don't think a massive amount happened after that so I'll skip merrily on to the following day, and visiting someone I consider to be an absolute true mac, Phil Toledano ( http://www.mrtoledano.com/ ). If you're a keen follower of 125 Magazine (amongst many others) you will have likely seen Phils work more than once. We had a brilliant chat and a valuable insight into someone who's work I admire greatly. It's an odd experience meeting the man behind photos you have on your walls, from the magazine you picked up in Borders UK (R.I.P).

We left his studio after long outstaying our welcome, and flagged a cab to Hardrock Cafe for a burger (and a spate of mild food poisoning in my case). With ice blocks for feet and an uneasy stomach I retired to bed. The sideways sleet and snow made my decision somewhat easier.

On Thursday we were tasked with shooting a mock campaign for Criminal clothing in the streets of New York. It was clear shopping was higher on the agenda so activity was cut a little short, but hey there's always comping.

I bounced around NYC for the rest of the day taking in some sights, eating a little more. Abi and myself very nearly induced a food coma courtesy of a waffle stack, two pots of syrup (Of which I had none) and a bowl of chips (which were incredible considering they're only chips). That night most of the 1st years went to Little Italy for a large meal. Once James brought up the Eddie Murphy sketch about Italians and Rocky hilarity ensued and remained for the entire evening. The pizza was epic on many levels and I think I'm very safe in saying we all had a cracking time.

Much later that night the tourist in me took over, so Daniel, Louise and myself took a trip up the Empire State Building. The night views are one thing, but walking through what must be over a kilometre of empty queue space is another. I cannot believe people actually wait at the beginning of that line to get up there. Madness!

On Friday (the last day) we headed to Brooklyn to see Chris Vereen ( http://www.chrisverene.com/ ). One of the standouts was a book he has produced on photographs of his family life in Galesburg, Illinois. A small town with a crumbling industry based on a railroad no longer in full operation. The book is full of despair and sadness, but a very compelling read (Much of the book is based and reliant on the text next to the photographs, Chris explained how this was an entire editing process in itself). He will be showing his 'Camera Club' series of photographs at the Tate Modern later in the year.

Mid-way through the talk Toby and myself ducked out for another appointment with a still life photographer working in New York, and one represented by the Win Initiative. D.A. Wagner (http://www.dawagner.com/), known also for his portfolio construction skills as well as his photography. He used to run a special effects/virtual reality company up until the events of 9/11. Unfortunately what followed sunk the company. He re-emerged as a full time photographer a year later. We were fortunate to also bump into Tim Hawkins of http://cheekylittlemonkey.org/ who gave us some more great advice and very nearly a trip to Milk Studios (Unfortunately New York Fashion week stamped it's feet and we couldn't go). Nevertheless we had a great chat and had another insight into a working photographers business.

Then (We were very busy) we took a trip to Chelsea for an Erwin Olaf exhibition at the Hasted Hunt Kraeutler gallery. I couldn't describe how mind blowingly effingly brilliant this was, so I won't even bother. What I can say is my outfit was photographed twice, which was nice. Keep an eye on NYC Fashion week for pink socks.

A quick sandwich and a meet in the hotel lobby (Host to many participants of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden - And I absolutely LOVE dogs - I sounded like a girl every time I walked through the lobby) and we were on the coach heading for the Airport. Driving out of Manhattan at sunset is a rather nice sight. Newark Airport isn't quite as comprehensive as Heathrow, and by this point I only had $4 on my person, so a beeline for the bar wasn't the best option. Due to the same prudent bus departure I mentioned earlier we found ourselves sat in the airport lounge roughly 3 and a half hours early. $8 airport internet has never been so useful (card, not the whole $4 cold hard cash), before I knew it we were on the plane and heading home.

From my trip I have learned a few things,

1) New Yorkers are incredibly friendly. I don't think I've ever spoken to so many strangers in any city before.
2) The subway is as cool as it looks in Crocodile Dundee. London Underground is still better as a method of transport though, sorry!
3) I would likely become slightly rotund if I were to stay there for any longer than a few weeks.
4) Having a GPS map in the back of Taxi's is a genius idea.
5) Platon should quite probably be the new President if you thought Obamas public speaking skills were good.
6) Phil Toledano is the bonafied true mac. And he has a Wheaton Terrier, which is just cool.
7) I love New York.
8 ) Did I mention it's incredibly friendly?

I may have to update this blog when more things return and I can add to the list. But if you haven't yet been, you should. Very soon. Before Americans turn British and it's just London on steroids.

A slight disclaimer also: I developed the RAWs and converted to B&W on my LCD Television. It's not exactly what you would call suitable for photo editing - If anything is hugely awash with colour tints or contrast, this is why! I really cannot tell what I'm outputting.

Week 3

And we're still here!

As far as I'm aware, the majority of Universities ceased trading this Friday past. Leading to the inevitable abundance of shrill cries from everyone I know not studying at AUCB, "You've not finished yet?!". Well no, I haven't, and frankly, good.

RANT WARNING - If you hate people moaning on the Internet, please skip to "Moving swiftly on.."

It seems every students aim in life, from pre-school to University, continued on through working adulthood to retirement, is to milk as much time off from whatever they should be doing as possible. Through compulsory education I completely understand, I do. You're young (I still am), forced to arise at 7:30 every morning to go somewhere you don't want too, to learn a myriad of skills you truely believe you'll have no use for upon your departure from whatever establishment you have to attend. It especially sucks if you attend somewhere that takes the Governments recommended guidelines for hours of Physical Education per week and doubles it (Unless you happen to attend a School where extreme sports are part of the curriculum, answers in the comments if you did!).

Now you've left school. You've chosen to carry on into further education and gain some A levels, perhaps a BTEC. Well done. The real gem is that this is all still free (to you). So many people transition from Year 11 into lower sixth form without so much as a hiccup and a long summer holiday. By this point you wouldn't be blamed for thinking all education was an easy financial ride.

But now you've done your AS levels and you're thinking about University. The big league. More biscuits than you can possibly imagine.

Given your current experience of the educational system - and the level of detachment you, as a student, have from the financial preceedings soon to follow - you rarely have to worry about the cost of it! Let me make one thing Evian water clear..

UNIVERSITY COSTS YOU MONEY!

I'm not talking about the money your parents pay in compulsory tax to cover your education, or the money you'll pay in compulsory tax to cover your childrens. I'm talking about money you will choose to accept from the Government to pay for your course, which like every other loan, you have to pay back. You are paying a University to provide you with a service, and by sending you away for as much of the year as possible it potentially limits the bang for buck you're receiving on your education. You want the chance to be there as much as possible, not on holiday!

Would you pay £3.3k to own a car to be told you can only drive it for 25 weeks of the year? Whist your friend who opted for something else gets to drive it for 30? Thought not.

Fear not, that should hopefully be my last OAP routine for 2009.

Moving swiftly on, I recently stumbled upon some video interviews that are well worth a watch, featuring amongst others no other than Solve Sundsbo and Tim Walker.

http://www.showstudio.com/project/infashion

Many of their photos grace my wall, and are both absolutely fantastic, inspirational photographers.

Personal work this week has been relegated largely to typing and Photoshop. I'm just racking my brains for something to show you.

Nothing is coming up. Instead, a particularly beautiful image of Coca Rocha, by Tim Walker.

http://foe.blog.so-net.ne.jp/_images/blog/_494/foe/coco-rocha-by-tim-walker-for-vogue-uk-5.jpg

Aha, something just came up. The night before last I attended a party. Upon my return home I was advised to start watching the LIFE series on BBC iPlayer, narrated by David Attenborough. As we're all well aware, you never turn down a David Attenborough documentary, and this is no less amazing than any of his others. Unfortunately this took me till roughly 4:30am, by which point I decided it would simply be best to stay up and take photos of the sunrise. One short trip to the beach later and I was contently freezing my fingers off in the darkness. As the title of the blog is Seaside Student, I thought it only too apt to show you the seaside near which I reside.

Unfortunately the stiching didn't work terribly well, and I apologise for the size (The original image is 36849x5223, which is 183.55mp - A little too big for blogging).. Oh and I didn't account for wave movements so they're all half cock. I'l do this again properly with a heavy ND filter and some smooth water. Due to width limitations of my blog that also isn't the whole image. Click here if you would like to see it.

If you're not doing so already, get into the Christmas spirit! You miserly git!