Hello friends! I hope you all had a wonderfully festive holidays.
As 2024 rides off into the sunset, I thought it would be as good a time as any to make this newsletter a recap of the year. However, I’m aware that I haven’t send out a Fall/Winter update so, much like a Tarantino movie, we’re gonna begin with the end.
LIGHT/MASS in New York Magazine/CURBED!
Absolutely made up to have LIGHT/MASS featured in CURBED/New York Magazine back in November and had a great chat with Christopher Bonanos, who wrote the article.
Click here to have a read!
I3 Masters in Digital Photography Lecture
I also had the honour of giving a lecture at New York’s School of Visual Arts as part of their Masters in Digital Photography program in October. I spoke about my early career as a commercial photographer and finding my love of weird architecture after moving to NYC.
I was a little nervous in the lead up, but think I managed to deliver an interesting hour (with plenty of pictures to help!). Nobody left or fell asleep, so I’m taking that as a win!
The good folks at SVA also recorded everything and put it up on YouTube, which you can watch here.
Critical Mass Top 50
Probably my proudest achievement this year was being selected in the 2024 Critical Mass Top 50. I was (still am!) thrilled to have my work seen and voted on by such a prestigious panel of industry professionals and truly honored to be amongst 49 other incredible artists.
I’m going to be part of the Critical Mass group show Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going? at the Atlanta Photography Group Gallery in January. I’ll be at the opening reception on 1/23 and the exhibition runs 1/14 to 2/8. Hope to see you there!
New Work in Chicago
The last few month weren’t all features and public speaking though, I actually made it outside to create some new work!
First up was a visit to Chicago in September - my first trip to the Mid-West!
I had a few days to myself to wander around the city and photograph some of the incredible architecture there, helped by a wonderful morning walking tour (thanks Barry!) to help me get my bearings.
I feel like I only scratched the surface, and will definitely be heading back there sometime to shoot more. Here are a few of my favorites, including an obligatory image of Marina City.
Revisiting some NYC faves
I also took another look at some old favorite spots in the city, making some work from new angles and lighting conditions.
First up was a trip back to the beautiful Tribeca Synagogue, a building which I photographed a few years ago on a much cloudier day. I’ve always felt that it didn’t quite sit in with the other images in LIGHT/MASS due to the change in color palette, so I went back one morning in made the image below.
Lastly I was invited back to Asphalt Green and given access to the grounds to get a couple of angles that I was unable to on my first visit there. I’m pretty happy with how they turned out and love the contrast of the sports field in front of such an unusual building. A big thank you to Malik for the invite!
I got a printer!
I know what you’re thinking - how could I leave such exciting news until last?
As dull as it may seem, I’ve been really enjoying learning how to make my own prints. From trying out different papers, to experimenting with cutting and folding photographs, it’s been a real joy to be able to do it in my own time and just get my off screen and have it exist as a real object.
Coincidentally, I’m now offering fine art prints of my work for sale those of you based in the US. If you’re interested, please get in touch to discuss!
For those in the UK and Europe, you can buy select prints through Wondering People.
Rest of the year Highlights
This is already a pretty long email, so I’ll keep this section to a list of things I’ve done and/or enjoyed in 2024. I’ve linked to pervious posts should you want to know more.
Shooting the concrete Disneyland that is Empire State Plaza.
Winning the Urban Category for the GCCA Concrete In Life competition.
Making the Hasselblad Masters Finalists
Continuing location work on The Great Outsiders
My Summer of Breuer - Photographing Geller House II and the Bronx Community College Campus
Actually keeping up with posting here!
That’s it for 2024! Thank you for subscribing and reading along for the past 12 months - it means a lot!
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and I’m looking forward to connecting more with you all in 2025.
Cheers!
Looking forward to more photos from you in 2025. Watched the presentation you gave and really appreciated it!
So much great work and achievements (including the new printer), Owen! Congratulations and looking forward to 2025!