Facing page: Blenkinsop photographing in Thailand. (Guys, who shot this? MS, TC or GB ?)
Artist's Statement
Mind's Eye Choreography; The Leap of Faith.
After a short period of a few years working in newspapers during the late eighties, I became acutely aware that I needed to leave my comfort zone and indulge my own developing vision, free of aesthetic constraints and tunnel-visioned editors.
I set out for Asia.
Above all, I am concerned with honesty, born out of a sense of heightened responsibility to the subject. The image should accurately reflect ‘that’ time and place and convey the emotions of the moment. As photojournalists or street photographers we are not interested in satisfying our own desires to illustrate a preconceived fiction by manipulating scenes.
Our choreography takes place in the mind‘s eye, in the split seconds before the shutter is released. It is a skill that must be practiced ad nauseum, until conscious thought is expelled.
The frame must sing with energy.
We make sense out of chaos... everything within the frame is by design and has a raison d’etre. For each shape, line or motion, there exists a complimentary force which balances the whole. There is no dead space without reason.
For nigh on eight years I struggled in anonymity, living from hand to mouth, following my heart and completely and blissfully unaware of the work being made by the freelancers of the time. They were great years, following my convictions and answering only to my subjects. By the time I made my way to Visa pour l'Image that first time in 1997, <the French Festival that continues to be a Mecca for photojournalists and where I joined Agence VU> I was well on my to discovering my vision.
After a further eight years following my passion, I felt that I was in a position where my knowledge and skill set was sufficient enough to help others who were unable to make the same leap of faith as I had, drowning, as is often the case, under the sheer weight of unintelligent and predictable imagery that clogs both the inbox and the mind.
I can say in all honesty that in the space of a week’s tuition I can push you to new levels of understanding and ability. If I didn’t truly believe this, I would not be teaching.
Philip Blenkinsop
Chiang Mai 2014
I set out for Asia.
Above all, I am concerned with honesty, born out of a sense of heightened responsibility to the subject. The image should accurately reflect ‘that’ time and place and convey the emotions of the moment. As photojournalists or street photographers we are not interested in satisfying our own desires to illustrate a preconceived fiction by manipulating scenes.
Our choreography takes place in the mind‘s eye, in the split seconds before the shutter is released. It is a skill that must be practiced ad nauseum, until conscious thought is expelled.
The frame must sing with energy.
We make sense out of chaos... everything within the frame is by design and has a raison d’etre. For each shape, line or motion, there exists a complimentary force which balances the whole. There is no dead space without reason.
For nigh on eight years I struggled in anonymity, living from hand to mouth, following my heart and completely and blissfully unaware of the work being made by the freelancers of the time. They were great years, following my convictions and answering only to my subjects. By the time I made my way to Visa pour l'Image that first time in 1997, <the French Festival that continues to be a Mecca for photojournalists and where I joined Agence VU> I was well on my to discovering my vision.
After a further eight years following my passion, I felt that I was in a position where my knowledge and skill set was sufficient enough to help others who were unable to make the same leap of faith as I had, drowning, as is often the case, under the sheer weight of unintelligent and predictable imagery that clogs both the inbox and the mind.
I can say in all honesty that in the space of a week’s tuition I can push you to new levels of understanding and ability. If I didn’t truly believe this, I would not be teaching.
Philip Blenkinsop
Chiang Mai 2014
T e s t i m o n i e s
"For the first time in my life during your workshop I could say yes to Photography with my entire heart & soul"
Habiba Nowrose
+
"You are an inspiration, and you know how precious (and rare) it is to be around inspired, talented and genuine people…. a fascinating experience upon which I will build, I believe, for the rest of my life"
Patrick Firouzian
+
"His words and images have opened my eyes."
Fabio Bucciarelli, Robert Capa Gold Medal Recipiant
+
"For me this is the beginning of a new path…. one of those life experiences that I will treasure"
Roberto Bianconi
+
"For the first time in my life during your workshop I could say yes to Photography with my entire heart & soul"
Habiba Nowrose
+
"You are an inspiration, and you know how precious (and rare) it is to be around inspired, talented and genuine people…. a fascinating experience upon which I will build, I believe, for the rest of my life"
Patrick Firouzian
+
"His words and images have opened my eyes."
Fabio Bucciarelli, Robert Capa Gold Medal Recipiant
+
"For me this is the beginning of a new path…. one of those life experiences that I will treasure"
Roberto Bianconi
+