Coming soon...
03 JUNE 2011
Sunday 15 May 2011
Sunday 8 May 2011
Photo of the Week - 08 May 2011
The Drawing Room
Charlecote Park
Wellesbourne
England
Copyright - Mark Antony Franklin
Saturday 2 April 2011
My Time With Henri Cartier-Bresson
During some recent research on my favourite photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson (for the updated HCB tribute page on R3MAF) I happened to chance upon an article relating to the great man which I found to be both very enjoyable, and illuminating, to read.
Written by the acclaimed Indian animation director, animator and photographer Ishu Patel - it tells the engaging story of when a young student Ishu met and worked alongside the 'master' - as he colloquially refers to him - for a short while in India, during the early 1960's.
It proves to be a fascinating read on many levels, not least because it allows a brief insight into this most reclusive of legendary photographers and some of his masterful work practices.
Ishu and 'Henri' went on to become firm friends, as you'll discover if you read the article, and I can only feel envious of Ishu's great fortune to meet and learn from the great Cartier-Bresson at first hand. To my mind it's akin to being taught to drive by Ayrton Senna, shown how to throw a punch by Muhammed Ali or taught how to kick a ball by Pele! In other words... a totally priceless experience!
I contacted Ishu to write him how much I enjoyed his recollections of 'Henri', and to tell him of the R3MAF HCB tribute page - and he has subsequently very kindly allowed me to reproduce his article in full on R3MAF.
You can read Ishu Patel's 'My Time With Henri Cartier-Bresson' by clicking on the above image or by going to:
www.r3maf.com/Ishu_Patel_HCB.html
MAF
Written by the acclaimed Indian animation director, animator and photographer Ishu Patel - it tells the engaging story of when a young student Ishu met and worked alongside the 'master' - as he colloquially refers to him - for a short while in India, during the early 1960's.
It proves to be a fascinating read on many levels, not least because it allows a brief insight into this most reclusive of legendary photographers and some of his masterful work practices.
Ishu and 'Henri' went on to become firm friends, as you'll discover if you read the article, and I can only feel envious of Ishu's great fortune to meet and learn from the great Cartier-Bresson at first hand. To my mind it's akin to being taught to drive by Ayrton Senna, shown how to throw a punch by Muhammed Ali or taught how to kick a ball by Pele! In other words... a totally priceless experience!
I contacted Ishu to write him how much I enjoyed his recollections of 'Henri', and to tell him of the R3MAF HCB tribute page - and he has subsequently very kindly allowed me to reproduce his article in full on R3MAF.
You can read Ishu Patel's 'My Time With Henri Cartier-Bresson' by clicking on the above image or by going to:
www.r3maf.com/Ishu_Patel_HCB.html
MAF
Thursday 24 March 2011
Monday 21 March 2011
NEW: Henri Cartier-Bresson Tribute Page now includes comprehensive biography.
R3MAF has had a Henri Cartier-Bresson tribute page since 2004 ...the year in which the great man, myself and many believe to be the greatest photographer of the twentieth century, sadly passed away.
Up and until very recently the aforementioned tribute page simply comprised of a famous HCB quotation, with the dates of his life presented against the background of an animated screen of several famous Cartier-Bresson images.
As of now, the new tribute page consists of a comprehensive text and pictorial biography with a small gallery of some essential HCB images included. Please click on the above image or go to... www.r3maf.com/HCB.html to view.
Permission to display HCB images has been sought, and kindly given from both the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and Magnum Photos.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
George Underwood ...an ethereal imagination
Visitors to R3MAF who may have clicked upon the Links Page over recent years will have noted that the links on display have been typically listed under three subcategories i.e. Camera Manufacturers, Camera Accessories, and the equally enigmatically titled... Other Websites.
One of the most popular links in the latter category - judging by the number of emails received over time - is the one that onward links to British artist George Underwood's website at:
It's unusual to receive feedback for simply providing a link to another website, but many have taken the time and effort to drop a line or two thanking R3MAF for bringing the GU website to their attention. More gratifying is the fact that they also feel compelled to wax lyrical about the stunning content on George’s website - care of his very impressive galleries of superb illustrations and beguiling oil paintings.
Once viewed it's not difficult to see why George Underwood is one of my favourite British artists, and as the creator of literally dozens of book covers and iconic music album covers (see below for just a few examples) I would venture that many readers of this blog are already admirers of George’s considerable artistic talents and perhaps not know it.
GEORGE UNDERWOOD ~ ALBUM COVERS
However it’s George's ethereal and otherworldly figurative oil paintings that really stand out for me as being at the vanguard of his always unique and compelling work ...and in my opinion it would appear that Mr Underwood is simply getting better and better with the passing of the years.
To that end, I’ve taken the opportunity to display just a small sample of my favourite, more recent, George Underwood paintings below. You can also view an R3MAF slideshow featuring the aforementioned paintings and more at:
www.r3maf.com/georgeunderwood.html
As you'll see in the small collection of paintings below, there’s a degree of detail in the minutiae of his brush work and an impeccable use of colour which also co-exists with often surreal wonderful play of light, that to my eye is reminiscent of the finer portrait painters of previous centuries. Many international exhibitions, and prestigious invites to show at institutions such as the illustrious Royal Academy and The Royal Society of British Artists would seem to bear testament to that opinion too.
Please click on the below link to read George Underwood's biography:
www.georgeunderwood.com/pages/george-underwoods-biography/3857
Regards
Mark Franklin
Redhead
Big In Japan
Girl With Triangular Earring
Obviously Six Believers
Return of the Soulful Warrior
The Appearance
Striped Sleeves
Be Somebody
Embroidered Hat
Eye Shadows
Knole Portrait
Leah
The Reveal
Rainy Day Women
Silver and Gold
Postscript:
As a young student the author studied History of Art specialising in the Italian Renaissance period from Giotto to the Big Three i.e. Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. His passion for architecture, painting and sculpture of all periods, schools, and movement has continued unabated ever since - and over the years he has been fortunate to visit some of the world’s finest art galleries and museums. Sadly he cannot paint to save his life ...unless it involves a tin of Dulux and a paint roller!
Please note:
All of the above images have been reproduced with the kind permission of the artist - and all work is protected by copyright.
Thursday 24 February 2011
Photo of the Week - 24 February 2011
Mosta Cathedral - Mosta, Malta
Copyright - Mark Antony Franklin
Sunday 20 February 2011
Sunday 13 February 2011
New Favourite Images Page Added
Just added...
New 'Favourite Images' page - containing some of my favourite b&w images.
Click on the link contained within the green 'Spotlight' box on the Homepage.
Monday 31 January 2011
Senna Film Wins Major Film Award
The new movie made about the greatest racing driver of all time... the legendary Ayrton Senna, has just won a prestigious award at the famous Sundance Film Festival.
The film, which was released in Japan and Brazil late last year and is being screened throughout the rest of the world in 2011, was awarded the World Cinema Audience Award for Documentary Film.
The Senna film is due for release in the United Kingdom in June this year - deliberately coinciding with the build-up to the British Grand Prix. It has already received rave reviews and achieved huge commercial success in the countries where it has been shown ...and the Sundance Award will no doubt be a huge boost to its chances of being a hit in the massive American market too.
Ayrton Senna 1960 - 1994