The occasional scrivener

Mar 2017 | Mar 2016 | Mar 2015 | Mar 2014 | Mar 2013 | Mar 2012 | Mar 2011 | Mar 2010 | Mar 2009

Fotomässan 2018

After a couple of years on life support, the annual Stockholm photo fair is reborn, embedded in a huge exhibit of boats and outdoor life. This makes a lot of sense as the fair was always popular with arrangers of photo trips, and nature and wildlife photography is one of the last redoubts of “traditional” photography (as opposed to mobile phone photography).

Sadly this cut into the space assigned for actual photographs, which was actually a big part of previous fairs. This, along with the relative lack of space for photo gear compared to outdoor stuff, left the fair being a bit underpopulated.

Notably missing from the exhibitors was Canon and Hasselblad.

That said, I had fun fondling expensive gear. It looks increasingly like a Sony A7 of some sort together with a compact prime is the best way for me forward, gear-wise.

Handling the Fuji GFX50 was fun as well. Another standout was the Samyang 50mm ƒ/0.95. Both are really big and heavy, it really feels as if the industry is overdue for a Maitami-like size reduction across the board.

Tired of the hustle and bustle, I hied myself off to

Fotografiska

All exhibits had been refreshed from my last visit.

Ellen von Unwerth - Devotion!

If you’re a fan of scantily clad female models this is a show for you!

Christian Tagliavini

This one was pretty fun. All the works look like they’re digitally rendered, but the USP is that all props, clothes, etc are hand-made by the artist.

Zanele Muholi - Somnyama Ngonyama

Powerful self-portraits explicitely referencing the experience of being a gay black woman in South Africa.