205dpi Issue Sept’13
James Mewett
Illustrator & Tattoo Artist Instagram - astonzx
This issue Sept’13
Who are we? We are photographers. Journalistic ones. We document, record and capture anything we find interesting, beautiful or captivating. Sometimes our stories may seem strange or unusual, but we are the eye behind it all; and that’s what this magazine is all about. From cakes to paralympics, graffiti to kickboxing, our editorial documentary style takes us round Cornwall, the UK and the rest of world. Follow us and our collective of photographers every issue as we capture our adventures, our remarkable stories and our everyday lives.
What’ve we been doing? This issue we have been working hard on creating ‘us’. With our first five photographers kicking us off to a strong start, it’s one big celebration as we welcome 205dpi into the world for its first issue. Happy birthday us!
p.s. keep updated: 4.
6 Feature Story - Jim Mortram
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1. Ella Nicholas-
2. Harvey
A few words with down-to-earth industry photographer Jim Mortram.
A mysterious look into the unique world of Cornish witchcraft.
Collaborated with Swamp Circus to display their Aerial Art.
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3. Lois
Golding
Took a trip across the barren landscape of Morocco with a campervan and a camera.
French
4. Dave
Blanks
Travelled 1600 miles with The Tour of Britain cycle race.
Williams-Fairly
38 5. Alex
Thrift
Explored the rooftops of Brighton with graffiti writer ‘RASH’.
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Real talk with Jim Mortram
“The work we create out-lives us all, which is why these little messages in bottles are so important ” So for the first issue of 205dpi, we wanted something a little bit special. In creating this magazine I have learnt how difficult it is to get people excited and driven about a new project. So I turned to Jim - award winning sucsessful documentary photographer, who is beautifully blunt and honest when it comes to work ethic. Here in conversation, we discuss darkrooms, ‘staying grounded’ and how to keep yourself motivated in the artistic industry. Hello Jim! Hi Lois! One of the reasons I really wanted a few words with you is because I feel like you’re ‘real’… So many photographic idols out there seem so far away; un-contactable, unapproachable and, quite simply too far up a certain hole. What is it about you that keeps you so grounded on… this planet? What a question! Phew!... well, I’ve no aspiration to ‘be’ a photographic idol at all, but just to do right by the stories I work upon with those sharing them. I was a person a long time before becoming
a photographer, so I guess my default setting is human; not some construct whereby photography acts as a passport to status, f**k that! One of the reasons I love photography is, for myself at least; it’s pretty much integral that it’s NOT about my ego. There’s a pretty simple way of understanding my thoughts on photography - look at an SLR, which way is the lens pointed? It sure isn’t facing backwards to the photographer; it’s pointed outwards to the infinite possibilities, relationships, sights and stories. I’ve always viewed myself as little more than a link in a chain but more of a conduit. Say there is a human being, they have a story, I facilitate it’s documenting and sharing and
Feature - Real Talk with Jim Mortram
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let it go out to an audience – who are also human beings, nothing more, nothing less. I’m also a carer for my Ma, which keeps me grounded, having zero money keeps me grounded, having an amazing partner keeps me grounded, inertia keeps me grounded. And not wanting to be anything like the folk you mentioned keeps me grounded! I believe there’s more to a good photographer than pretty pictures. It’s about healthy work morale and refreshing your talent; putting yourself outside of your comfort zone etc. How do you make sure you keep pushing yourself with your projects? Or are there times that things slack? That’s a great question. I have that push in me, like a heartbeat, all the time. I NEED to work on stories, I really do. It’s so integrated within who I am, when I’m not able to get out and devote time to people and stories, I feel disjointed and awkward and messed up. That pulse arises from many causations, my love for photography, my love for people and their lives. Not to mention my anger and resentment of just how damning a society can be to it’s people, how aggressive a government can be to those it’s principle purpose is to care for, the vast waves of assumption and stereotyping that seems to be the backbone of so much media and society today in the UK; all these elements get smashed together and really drive me forwards. In relation to the work itself stagnating, what I tend to do is revolve tools, one time I might shoot DSLR, another Medium Format, another film some video, more often than not I just visit people and listen. And what would you advise for a bunch of slightly lethargic aspiring photographers? Simple. Be very aware that you are going to die. It’s the given. We may or may not be a ‘success’ from point A to B, but
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point B is a given - we’re all going to be dust one day. If that’s not an incentive to really give a f*ck about… life, people, scenarios, stories, the qualities and the integrity of work… I’ve no idea what is! The work we create out-lives us all, so these little messages in bottles for the future (and for now) are so, SO important. Mortality is a tough one to grasp, but take an hour; if you’ve never been around death or had a near death experience it can be quite an abstract concept to really deal with. But take an hour, not in any morbid way, but just let it sink in. This s**t is not going to last forever. If that does not have some influence on the work you do, the urgency you make it with, and the empathy you take to it… then keep your head in the sand, shoot ephemeral work, get a sports car, whatever. In the end, point B is always going to come knocking. Fresh talent (in any artistic industry) is always worth watching. As a collective of ‘up and comers’ though, I admit it’s been difficult getting people on board with a new photographic project as a collective. I don’t believe it’s yours (or my) job to get people to get off their backsides and motivate them to do something, but what would you suggest as a starting point? It’s a tricky one. On one hand, I see SO many people with such talent, such drive, such great intent, but counter balancing that I see a lot of self interest, self importance, apathy and general disinterest in anything over career trajectory and self, self, self. I guess the lesson is, if you DO find someone like minded, working in a similar vein, with similar intent, love them, respect them and hold onto them. It’s a bit like starting a resistance, find good people and fight the ‘good fight’ - for it’s the only fight worth fighting!! Another thing I wanted to ask you about
Feature - Real Talk with Jim Mortram
In pictures: Jim Mortrams ongoing photo story ‘Small Town Inertia”.
Feature - Real Talk with Jim Mortram
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was something I saw on your social media. I see you’re currently building a darkroom… Yes! Trying to convert a shed into one with zero budget! So far it’s going to plan as all I’ve had to buy is new screws. Everything else has been scavenged, skip dived or found on Gumtree and eBay as freebies, plus HUGE support from my friends and peers on social media. What’s made you want to dive back into the chemicals? The craft of it - it’s so different to working up images in a solely digital realm. I’m quite tactile so I’m a fan of the hands on approach, also, film is better suited to galleries, that’s just my take on it, but it’s how I feel... also, it’s another discipline to
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attempt to control, and I like the challenge. And is there anything else exciting and ear-pricking coming up soon? Either your own work/projects or other photography related things you find interesting? I’m always working on stories, all the time. If I’m not shooting (I’m usually only able to get out once or twice per week to shoot for an hour or two due to Carer duties at home), then I’m editing, or on Social Media, or writing, or learning. There’s always something to be learned and we never ever stop learning. I’ve a couple of exhibitions coming up later this year, thanks to Julie Grahame I’ve just had a show at NY’s amazing Photoville. I’m always sharing via my own site smalltowninertia.co.uk or the collective
Feature - Real Talk with Jim Mortram
Aletheia Photos. I’ve got new books being readied to share via Cafe Royal Books and I’m working hard and fast on filmed documentaries - looking into the options to try and get some on TV and Radio. The main thing is this, look at the country around you, look at the community around you, hell, look at the PERSON next to you. We all have stories, it’s a given. It’s a bit like tuning a radio dial from some bland corporate ad filled bulls**t auto tuned drek, and tuning into the most incredible station filled with the most soul filled songs and stories. I believe everyone has that story within them, you just have to tune into it. Thanks a lot for the wise words Jim, it’s been a pleasure! Keep up the good work. -----Words: Lois Golding
“It’s simple; be very aware that you are going to die.” Feature - Real Talk with Jim Mortram
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The Village Witches
Ella Nicholas-French meets the wise women of Cornwall.
Cunning craft & black cats Ella Nicholas-French tells the story
Cassandra and Laetitia Latham-Jones are Cornish wise women. They live in the small quaint village of St Buryan buried deep in west Penwith, Cornwall. They are both happily married and live together with their black cat Clutterbuck in their small granite cottage, which was built in the 1800s. Cassandra has lived there and served the community for over 30 years and Laetitia now works along side her as a spirit medium however she also participates in magical work. The couple met during Pagan conferences where Cassandra started to teach Laetitia “cunning craft” which is the more “earthy” side of Cornish Witchcraft. Together, they make a strong team and help support their community and reach out to others who need their help and guidance.
16. Ella Nicholas-French
Aerial Silk
Swamp Circus join Harvey Williams-Fairley for a demonstration of their dynamic acrobatics.
Aerial Silk reli and skill, not Aerial silk is a type of performance where artists perform aerial acrobatics whilst being suspended from silk ribbons, without the use of safety lines. Relying only on training and skill to ensure their safety, they use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions. Aerial silks can be used to fly through the air striking poses and figures whilst flying. To further ensure their safety some performers use dried or spray Rosin (a solid form of resin obtained from pines and some other plants) on their hands to increase friction and grip on the fabric. There are three main categories of tricks which performers are able to use - climbs, wraps and drops. Climbs used by aerial artists range from practical and efficient climbs such as the French climb, to athletic and elegant tricks of their own, such as the straddle climb. Wraps are static poses where aerialists
22. Harvey Williams-Fairley
ies on training t safety lines. wrap the silks round one or more parts of their body to hold themselves into certain positions. In theory, the more complicated the wrap the more friction used and thus less effort is required to hold one’s body up. Some wraps, such as the straddle-back-balance, actually allow performers to completely release their hands. Foot locks are a sub-category of wraps where the silks are wrapped around one or both feet. In a drop, performers wrap themselves up high on the silks before falling to a lower position. Drops can combine aspects of free fall, rolling or otherwise rotating oneself before landing in a new pose. Preparation for a drop can make for a pretty wrap, but the ultimate goal is the fall rather than the pose. Of the three trick types, drops require the most strength, and are also the most potentially dangerous. Aerial silks are an incredibly demanding art and require a high degree of strength, power, flexibility, courage, and grace to practice.
Harvey Williams-Fairley
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“Everyone has taste, but not everyone has the daring to be creative�
- Bill Cunningham
Morocco by Road
Lois Golding took a roadtrip across an enchanting part of Africa; and here’s what she found...
28. Lois Golding
What do you get when you cross a T5 VW van converted camper, a fantastic community and a camera? An amazing experience, that’s what. From the top of the High Atlas, to small villages of Amezmiz and Marigha, cities of Taroudant and Agdz and a few nights deep in the Sahara desert - it really was a breath taking experience. But, with so many experiences to talk about, it’s hard to pinpoint a direction for the trip as a whole. One of the things people know of of Morocco is the religion. The clear divide between men and women is astonishing, and leaves an incredible void between husbands and wives. The men with the men; watching football and smoking Kief, and the women in the kitchen, nattering with friends, looking after the young and manning a stove.
“Morocco: honest, natural beauty.”
Another Moroccan tradition is the Hamam - known as an authentic Arabic bathing place. Again, a huge divide in gender and a big difference in the way men and women are treated by others. But there’s so much more about the country and culture which people miss. And this of course is the land. Seeing Morocco through a windscreen makes you appreciate its real beauty; hours spent just staring out of the window is a surprising eye opener in such a place. From badly constructed road layouts that are actually perfectly symmetrical each side of a topiaryesq tree, or a never ending barren scape of a dusty dirt track accented with electricity pylons; Morocco has made me appreciate this simplicity of beauty in nothingness more than ever. It’s things like this which make you step back, look at your surroundings, and really appreciate and respect something for it’s honest natural beauty.
Lois Golding
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1600 Miles Dave Blanks travelled the UK with The Tour of Britian cycle race.
As part of the 2nd year of my degree, I spent a week interning with Rouleur cycling magazine Photographing and documenting The Tour of Britain cycle race. Starting in Peebles, Scotland and working its way to London, via The Lake district, Stoke, Wales and Devon, I drove over 1600 miles in 8 days. Of the many memories l have from this epic road trip, are the crowds that turned out to watch these stages, particularly the thousands who were at Honnister Pass, Cumbria and braved horrendous conditions to be at the summit of one steepest climbs of the week. Special thanks to Rouleur Magazine, for giving me this amazing opportunity.
34. Dave Blanks
Get up
“Does that f***ing flash have to be so bright?!” - RASH
40. Alex Thrift
Alex Thrift climbed the rooftops of Brighton with graffiti writer ‘RASH’. Back in 2012 I followed a young graffiti artist who uses the alter ego RASH for the night. We started around 12 o’clock walking the streets of Brighton to find a spot for rash to paint. We happened across a building top about three double-decker buses high, well above the Friday night drunks and out of view. Hanging precariously over the edge of the building rash began to paint, using a makeshift pole attached to a paint roller. After a while RASH started to explain to me where his name comes from, after losing a close friend to exposure on a night out he paints this name as a memorial to him. He told me that this piece was a little different as he was painting it in a somewhat noticeable place; he explained he likes to paint the artwork in high and in obscure places. RASH hated the idea that his work could be ”in your face” I believe this is to keep work personal to him. After negotiating our way back down the side of the building covered in paint, RASH shook my hand and left. The artwork is since been covered by other graffiti artists wanting to get their artwork noticed.
Alex Thrift
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This issue’s stars 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 42.
Ella Nicholas-French
‘The Village Witches’ 07852 235020 littlebon@hotmail.co.uk www.ellanicholasfrench.tumblr.com
Harvey Williams-Fairley
‘Aerial Silk’ 07983 127585 h.williams-fairley@hotmail.co.uk www.hwilliamsfairleyphotography.tumblr.com
Lois Golding
‘Morocco By Road’ 07980 018660 loisgolding@outlook.com www.somethingobnoxious.carbonmade.com
Dave Blanks
‘1600 Miles’ djblank@live.co.uk
Alex Thrift
‘Get Up’ 07827 837898 alexthrift6@gmail.com www.alexthriftxd.tumblr.com
With thanks to.. Lois Golding
Editor-in-chief www.somethingobnoxious.carbonmade.com
Production team Tristan Potter
Manager www.trisyp.tumblr.com
Tom Sandberg
Manager www.tomsandbergphotography.wordpress.com
Dominic Steinman & Dave Blanks General help and assisting
Matt Cox
Logo designer & sign writing god Instagram - mattcox904
Jim Mortram
Special feature interview & photographer www.smalltowninertia.co.uk
Tom Ingate Heather Golding Toby Ellis
Support, advice & guidance
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James Mewett
Illustrator & Tattoo Artist Instagram - astonzx
To contact for requests, questions or more information: team@205dpi.com All images and text published in 205dpi are the sole propertry of the featured authors and the subject copyright. 2013 Š 205dpi