January 2010 Archives

During the filming of our interview with Roger Ballen, for the third installment in our new video series, Lens Culture Conversations with Photographers, I asked him how important photobooks were to him. That part of the conversation didn't make it to our final cut of the tightly-edited interview, but I thought his comments might offer another welcome point of view in the discussion about the future of photobooks being hosted by our friends at LiveBooks.com. So, here's a short clip of what Roger Ballen has to say about photobooks. Enjoy!

Portfolio reviews give aspiring and established photographers the perfect opportunity to get feedback and advice on their work from the right people – plus, these events are a wonderful way to make contacts and meet like-minded photography professionals.

Our friends at PhotoAlliance in San Francisco hold a portfolio review once a year. Their event brings together top photography editors, publishers, curators, gallerists, and educators representing small, mid-sized, and major venues from around the U.S., to meet with engaged photographers, review their portfolios and encourage their careers and exchange opportunities.

The Our World event is pre-juried, with a limit of 50 participants, and is set to take place the weekend of March 12-14, 2010. Last date for applications is EXTENDED to February 19, 2010. For more details, check out www.photoalliance.org/ourworld.pdf.

Highly recommended.

In a great, new 10-minute video, photographer Roger Ballen talks about psychology, metaphor, controversy and art in photography. He also traces his background, the evolution of his work, and more. The interview was recorded in January 2010 at the Kamel Mennour gallery in Paris, where an exhibition of Ballen's latest work, Boarding House, just opened.


This is the third installment in our new video series, Lens Culture: Conversations with Photographers. We've also recorded video interviews with Klavdij Sluban and Simon Roberts.

We're eager to get your feedback about this video series. Please add your comments here to our blog, and offer suggestions for other photographers who should be included in the series. Thanks!

We're delighted to announce an all-new issue of Lens Culture with great contemporary photography from around the globe.

Discover new photography from China, Australia, Cuba, India, the US, Canada, England, South Korea, and Brazil. This volume also includes new photobook reviews, a great video interview with UK photographer Simon Roberts, and more. So, settle in with a cup of good coffee, put your feet up, and enjoy!

Las Vegas Birthday Slideshow from Little Brown Mushroom on Vimeo.

Happy birthday Alec! Love this slide show and your storytelling.

UPDATE: a generous donor has claimed this prize already — Thank you! But I do believe there are a couple sets of signed books and prints still available for sale at Simon Roberts' website.

British photographer Simon Roberts has generously offered a gift to the very next financial supporter of Lens Culture who contributes $250 or more. It's a signed copy of his excellent book, Motherland, along with a signed, limited edition print from that series made in Russia in 2005. The print is 11" x 14", number 44 of 50, signed verso. This is a £175 value, and about to be sold out completely.

You can contribute by paying for a one-time voluntary subscription to Lens Culture via Google Checkout. All proceeds go toward the production costs and educational programs of Lens Culture.