Falifornia comes to town.

I’ve just spent the best part of this week wandering around London looking at some incredible photography, and listening to some fascinating photographers.

The inimitable Harrie Hardy ( I think that’s how you spell his name :)) put a lot of effort into lining up exhibitions and photographers for myself and the lucky students from Falmouth’s Press and Editorial photography course to enjoy.

To kick off, we went to see the ‘Year in development’ exhibition at Labyrinth photographic in Bethnal Green:

The work on show there is fantastically diverse, beautifully printed, and frankly a treat. If you can get time to pop in, then you should. The lab has only been running for a year and the work they are printing for various photographers is exceptional. The exhibition showcases the finest work they have printed since they opened, and damn fine it all is too.

After that we snaked our way over to Mother London to see Tim Richmond’s work, ‘Last best hiding place’ . Tim kindly explained to all his ways of working and the thinking behind the project. Thanks Tim.

We couldn’t all get in there at once so many went off to see Lisa Sarfati’s work at the Brancolni Grimaldi gallery.

All this was on the first day of three, and was all leading up to the big event of the week…the 2nd year show launch which was held at Calumet on Drummond Street. You need to put your head round the door and go take a look. It is open to all and runs until the 28th of this month. Go see what some of the most thoughtful and promising young editorial photographers are getting up to:

Next day saw us all at Foto8, to listen to Magnum’s Olivia Arthur and Philip Ebeling talk about their work, their projects and their fish bar. You need to check out those last three links. One of the most insightful talks I’ve heard this year, from a pair of very passionate and hard working photographers. Inspirational stuff indeed, thanks to you both Olivia and Philip.

After that I went to check Song Dong’s exhibition in the Barbican, and on the way out took a snap.

Later the same day we were treated to a very different talk by photographer Ben Roberts, again at foto8. Ben was explaining his methods, his photography and how he makes ends meet. Ben was also great company in the local ale house after. Thanks Ben.

Thursday saw us all trot over to Brixton to listen to Natasha Caruana explain her thinking behind the “Married Men and Other Stories‘ work, exhibited for the first time at Photofusion, London’s largest not for profit photography resource centre. Natasha’s work created great debate around ethics, approach, meaning and aesthetic. Thankyou Natasha for such honest engagement.

I’m getting knackered again now, because we hadn’t finished. Back to foto8 to get a sneak preview of Rob Hornstra’s astonishing work around the the Sochi Project. He talked us through the ideaology, impetus, practicalities and results of the refreshingly ambitious work he and Arnold van Bruggen are undertaking with ‘slow journalism’. It was a privilege to spend that time with him, thanks Rob.

I reserve the biggest thanks of all to Harry Hardie for all his efforts. Also thanks to Jon at foto8 for letting such a large bunch of young photographers traipse through his gallery again and again.

The only disappointment I could find with foto8 was the fact that there was no pictures of people with red hair on show. Call yourself a photo gallery? Pah 😉

If you want to join us next year, you’d best sign up on the Falmouth Press and Editorial photography course. You know it makes sense.