23 March 2009

Der Spiegel Publication

The German magazine recently used a shot of mine from the Chinese immigrant strike in Bucharest. I am still here in Maramures until at least 27 March. The new work is going well. . . There is little time left to capture Europe's peasanty.

10 March 2009

In Maramures continuing my rural life project 3/11-3/20

I just took a 12 hour train from Bucharest to Baia Mare here in the north. It must be one of the slowest trains in the European Union since the distance was only 690 km--a trip France's TGV would cruise through in less than 3 hours. From the view of Transylvania out the window all day, it really looks as if most of Romania is eeking out a subsistence level existence. The villages I passed looked medieval with smoke billowing from the small homes, backyard enclosures with chickens, pigs and hay and a church always on the highest ground towards the center. I would post some pictures except that I shot mostly on film(!) making panoramics with my Hasselblad Xpan. How soon one forgets the beauty and simplicity of film--there's no losing one's focus by checking the back of the camera and there's nothing to do in the hotel room--I'll have to wait to when I go to London in a few weeks or to New York later in the spring for these shots.

03 March 2009

Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2009 goes digital

For the first time, Leica has put the entry process for its annual award online and is also showcasing all of the entries on its site including the new Newcomer Award for those under 25. It's worth checking out the hundreds of great entries from photographers I had never heard of. There is some great work being done out there! My entry can be seen here.