Photographer Interview: Lauri Lyons

Photo: Lauri Lyons by Jamel Shabazz
 
D&B: Where are you from?
LL: I am a global nomad. My family is from Jamaica, but later immigrated to the U.S. Both of my parents joined the Air Force and as a family we traveled the world many times over.

I have lived in a variety of locations that include the South Bronx, Greece, Louisiana, Germany, etc. As a photographer my work has enabled me to live in Europe, West Africa, and South America. I have lived in the suburbs, trailers, European homes, and military bases throughout the world.

South African Photographers In Honor of FIFA World Cup 2010

South Africa's most famous photographer, Peter Magubane

Surely the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be one of the most photographed events this year. All eyes are on the games' host country: South Africa. Yet do you know of the country's role in photography history?

During the 1980s, photography became a weapon against apartheid. This creative form of activism was coined "struggle photography" and was influenced by the 1960's documentary photography of Ernest Cole in later published as House of Bondage (1967) and reportage of the 1976 Soweto Uprising by Sam Nzima.

Photographer Interview: Sinden Collier

This humbled blogger is fortunate to have dedicated readers who believe in the mission of this blog and in turn reach out to educate me. One such reader did that earlier this year, sending me an email to introduce me to Sinden Collier's photography.

There were other revelations in that email, for which I'll write a separate blog post this week. Stay tuned! For now, enjoy this interview with this pioneer of African-American women photographers in commercial photography.


D&B: Where are you from?
SC: I was born in Nashville, TN, raised in Houston, TX, lived in London and currently divide my time between Los Angeles and New York.

D&B: What kind of photography do you shoot and how did you get started - any "formal" training?
SC: I am a Fashion and Beauty Advertising photographer and enjoy Portraiture as well.

I began taking pictures as a child and received an old Nikon from a boyfriend. I relocated to Los Angeles to pursue music. Upon securing a record contract, I traveled Europe and continued shooting. People loved my images.

One day I gathered some images and presented them to a photographer who had photographed my band. The photographer said I should pursue photography and not give it up.

I am self-taught with a little help from my friends (seriously). I have one photographer friend who is absolutely amazing and very generous with his knowledge.

Copyright Sinden Collier

2010 WIP- LTI / Lightside Individual Project Grant

Women in Photography is pleased to announce the 2010 WIP- LTI / Lightside Individual Project Grant, funded by LTI / Lightside Photographic Services with guest judge Karen Irvine (Curator and Manager of Publications of the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago).

 The $3,000 grant award will provide funding to one female photographer to support project costs. In addition WIPNYC is excited to announce the 2010 WIP- LTI / Lightside Materials Grant, funded by Kodak. This grant provides $1000 in artists choice of Kodak materials and will be awarded to one female photographer.

Women in Photography is sponsored by Humble Arts Foundation.

APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS: Tuesday, June 1, 2010 12am
DEADLINE: Thursday, July 15th, 2009, by 11:59pm

Women photographers, apply to the grant today!

Check out last year's grant winner Erika Larsen and runner-up Erica Allen.

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Photographer Interview: Priya Kambli

Priya Kambli's imagery struck me when I received an email about her solo show in the 2010 Fotofest Biennial.

There's something so visually arresting about her collage of family photos, still lives, self portraits and classic Indian textiles. Kambli's images are heavy with history and cultural meaning but feel accessible. There's a (be)longing that I think we can all identify with.

D&B: Where are you from?
PK: I am originally from Mumbai, India.

D&B: How did you get started in photography - any "formal" training?
PK: I came to the States to study Graphic Design (Commercial Arts), but knew pretty early on into the major that this wasn't the right choice for me. I took a photography class as it was a requirement for the Graphic Design major and absolutely fell in love with it.

I went on to get my MFA in photography - I initially started at University of North Texas, Denton but finished my Masters at University of Houston.

Me (Turmeric), Copyright Priya Kambli

D&B: What cameras or techniques do you use?
PK: I currently am using Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera. I use Photoshop software to pair my fragments together (collage) and do little tweaks to the images themselves.