Mongolia

Reportage Photo Festival 2010-Sydney

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Reportage Photo Festival in Sydney, one of the best documentary photography festivals in the southern hemisphere is almost upon us with the opening night on November 11th. The official program has just been published which shows a very strong selection of extended photo essays over two Projection Nights at The National Arts School in East Sydney. There are also talks and exhibitions including Reportage’s Retrospective and Stephen Dupont’s images from Afghanistan which will be excellent.

This is one of the few forums that extended photo essays can be viewed and there are some great stories being told over the nights. I’m very happy that my images from Mongolia will be shown on Projection Night 2, November 13. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to show not only images about the two boys who live underground but also images that surround this issue. I’ve combined the two picture stories which can be found on my website so if your interested have a quick look there.

I’m going to be in town for most of the weekend so will hopefully catch up with lots of people there for a few beers..!!

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future.

Nominee in the International Color Awards

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The 4th Annual Masters of Color Photography Awards were announced just over a week ago and I’m very happy that one of my images has been nominated again in the Professional Photojournalism section. Last year a picture from Afghanistan was nominated and this year an image from the Mongolia story has been recognised.

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

FotoFreo Fringe Exhibition: March 22nd-April 14th

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Only a week to go before I start hanging the Mongolia-Surviving the Winter exhibition as part of the FotoFreo Fringe Festival. What with the Magnum Workshop starting tomorrow and then a week of lectures, floor talks and documentaries it should be a busy but informative and very exciting few weeks. For full information about timings for the talks etc please check see the FotoFreo Programme.

Below are the flyers I’ve prepared for the exhibition and the gallery location.

HQ Gallery YMCA, 60a Frame Court, Leederville, Perth, WA Mon-Fri 9-5

Entry is free so if your in town and have time please drop by and see how these two incredible boys manage to survive.

Finalist-Luis Valtuena, Medicos del Mundo

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I’ve just found out the Mongolia project has been chosen as a finalist in the Luis Valtuena Fotografia Humanitaria competition in Spain which is great news as the subject will again receive wider awareness. The winning images are to be exhibited in Spain and around Europe.  The aim of the competition is stated below and one of the main reasons for me entering:

“In these thirteen editions, the award has become a reference for humanitarian photography and its role in bringing a reality, sometimes hopeful, sometimes frightening, but to which one can not remain indifferent.”

The selected final images are, as always, of a very high standard. It is interesting to note maybe that the vast majority of images are either black and white or desaturated images..maybe this is what the majority of entrants submitted or it reflects the preference of the judges or maybe an indication of what Spanish photojournalism prefers..?

The winning images can be viewed  here www.medicosdelmundo.org/luisvaltuena

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

AOP Open Award Winner

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Well, I’m really pleased to announce that I heard today that I’ve won the Association of Photographers Open Award for a recent assignment in Mongolia.

There was an awards night in London last night which unfortunetly I couldn’t go to because I was on shift but it would have been great to be there.

If you look at the Mongolia link on this blog you can see how the image came about earlier this January and below is an extract from the AOP’s press release:-

“The judges were fascinated by the story behind Richard’s image and commented:

“For me, this ticks all the boxes – emotive subject, great composition and a strong image. It really leaves an impression.”

Deborah Brown (Picture Director) – Grazia Magazine

“Like an urban, nature shot that replaces animals with people – they look like human moles coming up for air. I love what appears to be the spontaneity of this image. And for me, it completely sums up the competition.”

Olivia Howitt (Picture Desk) – Radio Times”

Caption:-

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

This was a very personal project for me so I’m happy that it’s been recognised by a wider audience and hopefully through this competition more people will have an understanding of what many children are experiencing in Mongolia.

If you are interested in this subject, please have a look at this aid agency in Ulaan Baatar who I met and who are doing a great job trying to help people just like Munkhbat and Altangeret. The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.

Exhibition Updates

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Just a quick post to update everyone on how the exhibitions are progressing in London.

Foto 8 held their street party last Friday which unfortunately I missed due to being on duty at work but I’m sure it was a great night. They have posted the final selection of images chosen for the exhibition so I’ve included a link below. It really is a mix of all genres of photography and some amazing images in there so please have a look when you have time.

The Press Photographers Year exhibition continues at the National Theatre and the AOP Open have their awards night next thursday so fingers crossed…!! I’m hoping to get over to London in the next few weeks to see them all….

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…link to the Press Photographer’s Year selection…

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The Press Photographers Year 2009 & Foto8 Finalist

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No competition results for ages then three come along at once..!!

More good news from what is fast becoming the most popular image I have taken recently in terms of recognition. The same image as the AOP Open image below from Mongolia has been selected for The Press Photographers Year 2009 exhibition and book. Again, it is a privilege to be included in a select amongst some of the best photographers working for the UK press so well done to all the winners and please have a look at all the selected images here. It is easier if I just copy and paste what they say about the competition and exhibition dates:-

The Exhibition

An edit of 146 pictures has been made by the jury from the 7,877 submitted and 16 prizes have been awarded. All these have been selected to represent the extraordinary variety and standard of the entries received. The complete edit will be featured in an exhibition which runs in the Lyttelton foyer of the National Theatre on London’s South Bank from 4th July to 31st August. Open

Monday to Saturday from 9.30am till 11pm. Admission is free.

If you get the chance pop along and have a look then please do so as the organisors really make an effort with the presentation and layout of the pictures and the small images you see on the website really come alive.

FOTO8 Summer Show & Awards

Also, the same image has been selected as a finalist in the Foto8 Summer Show & Awards 2009. This competition took a slightly different format and 120 images have been selected out of 2,300 images entered to be exhibited in the well respected photography gallery HOST in Honduras Street, London. It seems to be a great opportunity to network and have a few beers with fellow photographers in a big street party on the opening night. You don’t have to be a finalist to come along and tickets at £5 can be bought here so if you fancy seeing some great work and lots of beers come along..!!

A bit more about the awards:-

The Entrants

The 2009 Summer Show saw an overwhelming response, with over 2,300 images entered from 44 different countries, including Bangladesh, Iran, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey. The final selection of photographs, chosen by Foto8 editors, will all be on display, entered into the awards and available for sale to the public. Honduras Street, EC1. The Summer Show will run from 25 July – 5 September 2009.

If you don’t already look at Foto8 then now is the time. With new picture stories, industry news and blogs updated daily it is a great photographers resource..

AOP Awards Finalist-Public Vote

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I’m just recovering after a very busy few weeks with the Amnesty International Human Rights Festival which went exceptionally well this year. For me the highlights were meeting Moazzam Begg, a British former prisoner of Guantanamo Bay who spoke eloquently about his experience in captivity. Then there were two photographers Teru Kuwayama and Balazs Gardi who not only gave an amazing presentation of their work in Pakistan and Afghanistan but who were also incredibly nice guys. Just talking to them was both inspiring and educational and personally helped me with which direction I want to take my work in the near future..more of that later..!!

For now though I received some good news that one of my Mongolia pictures has been selected for the Association of Photographers AOP Open Awards exhibition in London. This is an image I’m particularly proud of as for me it encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys and others live in whilst the world just continues around them oblivious and indifferent to their situation. If you feel moved by this image then you can vote for it in the Public Choice Award. My image is on Page 7. Details of which are below.

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Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

The exhibition runs from July 29th so if your in London pop in to have a look at all the entries.

 

Thanks..Rich…

Editor’s Choice-Canon Professional Network

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Hi there,

It’s been a few weeks since the last post so a quick review of what has happened since then. I entered the picture below into the Canon Professional Network Editor’s Choice a few months ago and it was chosen as one of the best pictures out of over 4,314 photos by well known picture editor Aidan Sullivan. Aidan is now vice president of photo assignments at Getty Images and has been a pic ed on the Sunday Times as well as being a photographer so it was quite a compliment. If you click here you can scroll down to a multimedia presentation where Aidan explains why he chose his favourite 36 images.

As a photographer editing is one of the most important and difficult tasks and deciding between keeping the picture story in colour or making them black and White is a tricky one. I originally thought this Mongolia project would be a BW project but after much discussion with fellow photographers and my wife (a very harsh critic of my work..!) I decided to stay with color which is what Aidan liked about it so thanks for the good advice guys..!! I’ve attached both versions below to see what you think..please feel free to make any comments about the decision or if you prefer the BW image..thanks….

 

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

Mongolia Multimedia Part 2

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The last part of the Mongolia assignment and it’s a story I feel very close to. On assignment you meet some incredibly inspiring people. No matter what they’re going through they are always open, welcoming and happy for you to enter their world..albeit for a short time. With all the bad press about teenagers at the moment, maybe they should all see what conditions their equals are coping with in other parts of the world. Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) are two incredible young men who are wise way beyond their years. What impressed me most was their resilience to the huge pressure to give up on life. Many street children start drinking cheap vodka from a young age. I met one 17 year old just out of rehab. These boys however still believe in a future. Forced to leave school despite high grades, had their mothers not abandoned them they would undoubtably have become a great success. With the help of a local charity the aim is support them in their futures if possible. Please feel free to ask any questions and comments about the story..Rich….

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Mongolia Multimedia Part 1

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It’s been a while since I last put a multimedia presentation together so it was pretty much a case of relearning everything again..! This is Part 1 of 2 from Mongolia with the 2nd hopefully being completed in the next few days. Whilst they take a long time to put together hopefully the extra effort is worth it. Capturing audio, storytelling and taking pictures all at the same time, often in difficult conditions is a challenge but ultimately worthwhile. 

I hope you enjoy this and I’ll keep you posted when the next one is complete….

Rich…

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Mongolian Assignment 9

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My last post from here. A big thank you to everyone who helped me with this assignment, you know who you are. Just to say Mongolia is an amazing country. It has its problems but which country doesn’t. The Government are trying to sort things out with regards to street children but it will be a long process. I understand from people living here things have dramatically improved over the last year so there is hope. If you ever have the chance to visit then do. The hospitality is great, the countryside is there to explore and there is more  history than you could ever soak up. Fond memories of all the people and I hope to return at a warmer time..therefore my last image will be from a very short trip into the countryside..

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