Saturday 30 January 2010

Photos of the Haiti Earthquake

James Nachtwey in Time Magazine



This week Time Magazine has an interesting article by the truly fantastic photographer James Nachtwey, who has recently spent some time in Haiti. His text reminds us that out of adversity comes great humanity. However, his images are disturbing and tell of the horror for people living there.

If you feel able to then check out his images at the link below. Either way my thoughts are with those people for whom these photos are a reality.

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1957522,00.html

Tuesday 26 January 2010

BBC Radio 4 - Photojournalism today

Can photography change the world



As another decade has passed there has been much debate about the role of photojournalism and the publication of images which document conflict and other issues from around the world.

This radio program about former photojournalism students from LCP tells of a different era. One where great risks were taken, classmates died and incredible images were made.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00q3cm3

Sunday 17 January 2010

Slum Living - Dharavi and Kibera

Kevin McCloud: Slumming It - Grand Designs in Mumbai



It was with great interest that I watched Kevin McCloud's most recent program on one of Mumbai's slums. Having spent some time in Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa, I was intrigued to see what he would make of the situation there.

Kibera, although slightly different to Dharavi, shares many of the same qualities. The poverty, the poor sanitation and disease and the crowded living conditions. However, it also shares an amazing sense of community and a support for one another that is so often not seen in this country. The overriding feeling I always had in Kibera was one of great hope and so I was pleased to see that Kevin was able to see the positive aspects of slum living.

If you haven't seen Kevin's program then you can still watch it at


If you want to see some of my photographs of Kibera then check out my Kibera portfolio on my website

Friday 15 January 2010

The Photographers Gallery

Photography Exhibition and an Evening of Performance



The Photographers Gallery in London has a evening of performance responding to Jim Goldbergs exhibition tomorrow from 6.30pm.

http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pvid=1132

Thursday 14 January 2010

Haiti Earthquake January 2010

Red Cross in Haiti



You will all know by now about the earthquake which hit in Haiti earlier this week. There are an estimated 45,000 - 50,000 people killed and millions affected.

The photos at this link are graphic and show some of the devastation and human suffering. http://blogs.tampabay.com/photo/2010/01/haiti-earthquake.html

As ever, the Red Cross are there doing an amazing job. If you want to donate then you can do so here at the Red Cross site. https://www.redcross.org.uk/emergencysite/campaign.aspx?id=88917

Wednesday 13 January 2010

New Orleans Jazz Photography

Magnum Photographer Dennis Stock 1928 - 2010



Magnum photographer Dennis Stock died on Monday night of this week. A truly great photographer he was particularly well known for his iconic photographs of James Dean and also his New Orleans jazz scene of the late 1950's. He will be missed but as with all great photographers his work will live on.

For more information on him check out the Magnum website: http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.AgencyHome_VPage&pid=2K7O3R1VX08V

Friday 8 January 2010

Top tourist attractions in London

The National Gallery in London



I love the National Gallery in London - the beautiful building, the quirky wall colours and of course the art. It's not difficult to find inspiration for my photography in such a wonderful place as that. So today I treated myself and spent a blissful few hours in one of my favourite galleries in London.

Thursday 7 January 2010

Photography in London



Photographing The Houses of Parliament, The London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral



As a photojournalist there are many ways to find stories that I find interesting and that I might want to research further. The natural break over Christmas provides me with a perfect opportunity to catch up on my magazine and book reading about issues that catch my attention.

I do find it challenging to find stories in the UK though, especially in London. It needs to be a really good story for it to hold my interest - such as my empty homes in London story on my website. www.mjmaybury.com

So one of my New Years Resolutions is to research some stories a little closer to home and to focus on things that directly affect the city I live in. London is such an amazing city so I'm sure that my research over the Christmas period will pay off. I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

A photographic journey through Russia

Wintereisse by Luc Delahaye



This snowy weather makes me think about other colder places, like Russia, and so one of my favourite photography books - Winterreise by Luc Delahaye.

Luc travelled across Russia one winter photographing the ordinary people he met. The result is this beautiful and heartbreaking book. Its pocket sized so feels very intimate and it is stunningly put together too. Ill enjoy looking at that again today.