A short update on shooting, books, and things worth paying attention to

I’ve not had the most productive start to the year photographically. I’ve shot a bit (never as much as I’d like) and looking at my previous post, I’ve only really started one of the four things that I wanted to. Finding the time is the challenge. This isn’t a pity party though, The Arsenal project is ticking along, and I’ve taken a day off tomorrow to shoot Purim before nursery pick-up.

One of the main reasons I started a blog was to write a little about Photobooks. Partly to share recommendations, but mostly to slow myself down. I find I end up just flicking through Photobooks too quickly and not really letting them sink in. If I think back to the books I remember the most, they were all ones I bought at the start, when I didn’t have [too] many. The Americans by Robert Frank, one of my first Photobooks, lives rent free in my brain but I can barely remember Daniel Arnold’s recent “You Are What You Do”, even if it is excellent. Anyway, I have a couple mentally underway so hopefully the next post or two will be on those. And yes, one is the Daniel Arnold book.

Things to look at, listen to, and in some instances, touch

If you’re reading this blog, it’s likely that you’ve already seen the video above but if you haven’t, definitely give it a watch. Matt Stuart is one of the best street photographers out there and he is always really interesting to listen to. Matt’s point about there being no such thing as talent is an interesting one. I think there is some truth to that, and it’s also echoed in my next recommendation:

*Listen to the latest episode with Jeremy Paige*

Another favourite current street photography of mine is Jeremy Paige, aka Eaten by Flowers. Here he is interviewed on the Street Life Podcast. I would say in general a lot of street photographers interviewed tend to sound very similar so hearing Jeremy was a breath of fresh air.

Not street photography but quite an interesting video to watch about an image of a terrible human being.

*Surely you have this already? You should fix that if not*

We really are in the era of the zines and 2026 continues to deliver on that front. Nipon’s zine on Soho is now available to purchase. You can read my interview with him here.

*The first in a cool idea for a series of Zine’s from Mark*

Mark has a really cool idea for a series of zines, based on 10 lines of a poem. Each line is the subject of each zine and the second of the series is to launch imminently.

Cal also has a great zine out, “show of hands”, a big A4 landscape almost-paperback zine, which lives up to its title. Just noticed it’s sold out. Sorry.

*At The Photographers Gallery, Soho, London*

I don’t have anything to add about the passing of Martin Parr. He is a legend of photography, both in terms of his work but also what he has contributed. What I will flag is that there is a Martin Parr exhibition in The Photographers Gallery from 6 Feb to 19 Apr.

With half my heritage being from the west of Ireland, this will be even more interesting. I wonder if I can get my mum along to see it…

The Street Badass Street Photography Festival returns this year, 29-31 May. I’ll be going and it’s definitely a must-see!

Finally a shout out to the Urban Photographer’s Club for winning the Amateur Photographer’s community of the year award! I’m a member there and it’s great to see Jovis in particular get the recognition she deserves for all the effort that goes into running a community for free.

Well that’s all for now, see you out there!

17% through the year already?!

Reflecting on 2025