Now, where did I put that blog?
Ah, here it is.
Firstly, I would like to wish you all the very best for the festive season and for the new year. I hope that you’re entering the final month of the year within reach of whatever goals you may have set yourself for 2009 and with lots of ideas and plans for 2010.
As I write this, I am surrounded by what could pass for an explosion in a camera factory. November was a fantastically busy month for me and my Bangkok home was frequently little more than a place to pit-stop. Dashing through the door, I’d drop off one bag and grab another, exchange a lens or two depending on what my next job was, throw some batteries in the charger, leave a memory card uploading and dash out again. Consequently, there are cameras, lenses and accessories distributed around the place and the apartment has become little more than a giant camera bag. The TV is thinking of leaving home, complaining of neglect, as are the growing pile of books and magazines on the coffee table. The fridge hasn’t chilled anything more substantial than a jar of mayonnaise for several weeks and I’ve had to replace all the house plants, those that were here previously having turned a shade of brown that I can only describe as “parched”. However, December brings a few quieter days and, with it, the chance to catch-up and consolidate.
The opening of my “Catching Colour” exhibition in Bangkok was a genuine treat and the numbers attending exceeded my expectations. It was especially nice to have the opportunity to see so many of the friends I’ve made since coming to Thailand eighteen months ago. Students of the Bangkok Photo School, past and present; colleagues; clients and friends from the Bangkok Photo Club all came and gave their support. It was a terrific evening. I came to Bangkok last year with some hesitation, not knowing anybody and having no idea how things would shape up but, as always, photography opened many doors. Yet another reason to appreciate how fortunate I am do this job.
As if that wasn’t enough, the morning after the exhibition opening found me on the Chao Phraya river taxi on my way to lead a photo workshop with one of several eager students who came to me for workshops last month. Introducing a keen student to my favourite local photo haunts is always a treat and I played host to photographers from five continents in November. I’ve said before that the very best way to learn is to teach and my belief in this premise was reinforced last month. Students invariably challenge me to put the practice of taking photographs into words and demonstrating my approach in step-by-step lessons really forces me to think and to examine why I do things a certain way. I always leave workshops having heard great stories, with a list of recommended books to read and movies to watch and having made new friends.
November saw the arrival of the 200th student that I’ve taught, either individually or through classes at the Bangkok Photo School since I arrived in Bangkok. That’s not bad going is it? And they’re all still speaking to me. Even the ones I’ve challenged, prodded, cajoled and encouraged to step out of their comfort zones – you know who you are 
I’m about to conclude several of the five-week Photo School classes. I’ve been delighted and inspired once again by the enthusiasm of our students. Our final session focuses on future projects and it’s so encouraging to see students making plans to form their own clubs, to collaborate on projects and fired with enthusiasm for photography. It really is infectious and if I had time I would join every club and collaboration that is formed as a result of the classes. The courses have become enormously popular and, whether by luck or by judgement, we’re in the fortunate position of having almost 300 people on the waiting list for future Bangkok Photo School courses. We even packed a room with eager students at a Lightroom Introduction course last week and the appetite for more is very encouraging.
Sharing what I know about photography with enthusiastic students is always a pleasure but there have also been opportunities for me to use my camera in earnest in recent weeks. Perhaps best of all was a commission from Vanity Fair magazine to go to Bali to photograph the main feature for their annual Travel edition. Yes, I know, it’s a tough gig but somebody had to do it.
Actually, I worked my bloomin’ socks off. The brief was comprehensive and it was essential that everything came together just as planned for me to be able to get all the shots required. Fortunately, my good karma kicked in and everything worked beautifully. Perhaps it was karma, perhaps just a lucky break although I’m increasingly of the opinion that good fortune tends to appear more frequently when you’re working hard and this assignment saw me working bloody hard so perhaps it was simply that.
Whatever it was, I got the shots I needed and the nice people at Vanity Fair are “delighted”. Me too! I’ll try and post a full review of that assignment with additional images in the next day or so. Until then, here are shots of just two of the wonderfully warm and hospitable people I met in Bali.
Somewhere in the last, crazy month I also found time to visit Matt Brandon in Penang. I say “visit”, the truth is that I flew down to Malaysia for lunch!
I left home at about 4:30 a.m., Matt kindly met me at the airport, we hatched plans, had a great lunch at a nearby restaurant, strolled along the beach, made more plans over chocolate brownies back at his place and I was back in the air in time for afternoon tea.
It’s always a pleasure catching up with Matt and one of the best things to come from that all-too-brief meeting was an agreement to visit the Kumbh Mela in April 2010.
We’ll be inviting a small group of keen photographers to come with us to Delhi from where we’ll head off to Varanassi, one of my favourite photographic locations in the world, before taking the train to Haridwar in time for the most auspicious bathing day at the Kumbh Mela. This photo workshop promises to be one of the highlights of 2010.
For those who don’t already know, the Kumbh Mela only happens every three years and rotates between four locations. Next year’s Ardh Kumbh Mela will be a massive event, the last Kumbh Mela in 2007 was attended by 70 million Hindu pilgrims. Yes, that’s not a typo, 70 million pilgrims. That’s like the entire population of the United Kingdom going to the seaside for the weekend. (Note to self: remember to book rooms in advance!).
Details of our Kumbh Mela photo tour will be released shortly but drop me a line if you’re interested in joining us. I guarantee it will be a memorable trip.
Meanwhile, young David D’artagnan duChemin has been busy lighting fires with more of his wise words and eye-catching images. My copy of his new book, Vision Mongers, thumped through the letter box this month and I was delighted and honoured to see that my contribution hadn’t been edited out. An oversight, I’m sure, but I’m reassured to hear that the book has already been printed and it’s too late to replace pages 151-158.
David’s e-books continue to inspire and excite and he’s recently launched an online venue for these really popular titles at Craft & Vision. Check out the current titles and watch out for future e-books, including an especially informative title discussing stock photography from a man who some consider to be one of the most ruggedly handsome travel photographers in the business today*.
(*source: my mum)
Finally, I’ve written two “Career Guide” articles for the UK’s Digital Photographer magazine this month so check out issues 91 and 92, where you can learn what I have to say about “Getting started in Photography” and “Self-publishing”.
The original purpose of this post was to give you December’s free desktop wallpaper but I seem to have strayed a little. However, if you made it this far down the post then you’ll find not one but two wallpapers for this festive month. The first is a wintery scene showing Prague and the river Vltava. Taken shortly after dawn, I’d walked through the streets of Prague in the dark in order to reach this location in time for sunrise and it was bloody freezing. I think you’ll agree that the light in the sky was more than ample reward though.
The second wallpaper is for those who prefer something a little more colourful. These Balinese batik sarongs will bring a splash of colour to those of you currently battling storms and floods in Europe and will help you pass time as you play “hunt the desktop icon” once it’s installed.
Both wallpapers are free, available in a variety of flavours including the ever-popular iPhone format. Well, it was popular last month when I first offered it
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): 1024x768 | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): 1024x768
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): 1280x800 | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): 1280x800
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): 1280x1024 | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): 1280x1024
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): 1440x900 | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): 1440x900
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): 1920x1200 | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): 1920x1200
December Wallpaper (Prague Vltava): iPhone | December Wallpaper (Bali Batik): iPhone
Blimey! It did seem that you were a bit more silent than normal, and now we know why. That is indeed quite a lot that you’ve been doing. It’s great to hear that you’ve settled nicely in your camera bag / apartment in Bangkok. Taking a new path is always a bit fearful, yet often they seem to bring rewards. Your new path to Bangkok seems to be working out brilliantly. I can’t wait to see what else you shot for VF. Now go find some time to relax and enjoy that favorite beverage of yours – tea.
Congrats on everything you have going on. The wallpapers are great…John
You have been busy. Great to see that all the hard work is paying off.
Very much looking forward to your words of wisdom on Stock photography and I will make sure I get the article on self-publishing too
Oh.my.goodness. Glad to hear your exhibition went so well
This is quite an inspiring post. It’s amazing to see someone living & enjoying a life they intentionally chose.
Peace
Wonderful post to read first thing this morning. I can relate the to your place looking like a camera bag. When I read about you and Matt living in Southeast Asia I think about the opportunity I missed of moving over there. I was laid off from my engineering job back in 2003 and was offered a chance to work in Singapore. Because of children and grandchildren I opted to stay here. I have visited both Singapore and Panang on business and love the culture. Hopefully I can make it back over there some day.
Gavin: So when can we expect your eBook to come out?
Wow. Look at you jet setting around Asia. Congratulations on the Vanity Fair piece. I’ll pick up a copy this afternoon.
Best,
jack
Oh my lord….VANITY FAIR!!!!!!!! WOO HOO! Anything conde nast deserves a glass (or bottle) of celebratory champagne
))) Brilliant stuff Gavin- a wonderful end to the year.
Tell us more about how you create the polaroid look and specifically how the text is applied? Is it from the metadata in the file?
[...] Photographer Gavin Gough also posts a stunning wallpaper each month. [...]
At last! I was getting worried
Great post. Glad to see you’re keeping busy. And look at you, with your Vanity Fair! Nice one, Gav.