Realfeatures Blog

Since I’ve started a series of posts on favorite movies, film makers and cinematographers, I’ll show you the way to my Terry Gilliam page

Terry Gilliam shot in Bangkok in 2006 © Cedric Arnold

Re-visiting old favorites

Jim Jarmusch’s 1995 Dead Man, starring Johnny Depp. The superb cinematography is by Robby Muller (Dancer in the Dark, 24hour Party people) And with a soundtrack by Niel Young

“All pictures are accurate. None of them is the truth.”

Richard avedon

Avedon self portrait with his signature white background. Shot on an 8×10″ view camera

 Rob Haggart, the former Director of Photography for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine runs a very insightfull and honest blog on the photo industry take a look here:  http://www.aphotoeditor.com/

A great resource on the history of photgraphy provided by Jeff Curto from College of DuPage.

Want to find out about classic images and photgraphers, common and not so common cameras like

the this monster bellow. Visit http://photohistory.jeffcurto.com/

“Ad Here” blues bar is without a doubt one of the best and certainly the most genuine live music venue in Bangkok. Weekends are particularly busy in this small converted shop house on Samsen rd, in the heart of the Banglumphu district; but that’s all part of the atmosphere of a good blues bar. The crowd is a mix or regulars, both Thai and farang and some tourists who stumble across the venue or hear about it from friends…

Pong, a fantastic blues guitarist who runs the bar with his wife, gives young musicians a chance to play opening sets on most nights… There’s a lot a jamming going on during the main sets too…

Bumped into English musician Rikki Doolan and went to watch his Friday night set comprising of heart felt Bob-Dylanesque compositions and a few covers like House of the Rising Sun. Great stuff…

Click the play button to hear this song called A questionable ceilliing.

Rikki during his set

And Later on jamming with the band…

On the same night Ad Here regular Georgia, Thailand’s answer to Janis Joplin, sang blues classics with the house band. Yet another stunning performance at this jem of a Bangkok venue.

Photography: Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Rikki’s Myspace page:http://www.myspace.com/rikkidoolan

Ad Here The 13 th
13 Samsen Road , Banglumphu
Phrnakorn, Bangkok 10200

Ad Here on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/adherebluesbar

Good photography exhibitions are usually hard to come by in Bangkok, but this month is very special.

For the first time, the World Press Photo exhibition is in town - (@ Zen department store - 8th floor - from June 18th to July 6th)on top of the exhibition of award winning images form the 2008 contest, there’s also an exhibit by Thai press photographers andsome discussions / seminars. For the full program visit: www.pressphotoinfocus.com

While you’re there don’t miss Yann Arthus Bertrand’s “World From Above” exhibit on the ground floor just outside Zen. More info here

This is part of the 3rd Bangkok Month of Photography, curated by Manit Sriwanichpoom (of “Pink Man” fame)

Also part of the event: - At the Queen’s Gallery, 100 X France / a history of French photography featuring prints by Henri Cartier Bresson, Jean-Loup Sieff, Raymond Depardon, Robert Doisneau, Brassaï. Not to be missed for black and white lovers and those interested in the Historyof photography.

Also at the Queen’s Gallery, a very interesting set of images taken by Pierre Rossier, photographer at the Court of the King of Siam between 1850 to 1860

More info on the Queen’s Gallery Exhibit and other shows on during the Month of Photography here

Starting today, June 12th right in front of Paris’ legendary book store Shakespeare & Co.
www.festivalandco.com
A literary festival featuring some of today’s leading authors such as Paul Auster.
The festival entitled: “Real lives, exploring memoir and biography”, runs from June 12th to 15th.
For more info on the hosts: www.shakespeareco.org

George Whitman, Shakespeare & Co’s owner at the shop

Photographed in 2005 © Cedric Arnold

Just did another shoot for Bangkok Fashion brand Hey Pilgrim! For the new collection, “Windswept”, we used an lcd projector to create some interesting background and overlay effects. The whole shoot will be posted on www.heypilgrim.com next week.

© Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

© Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

© Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

© Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

After Emails form many people asking what happened to my music photography pages, I’ve decided to put some back here. Haven’t done any concert photography for ages due to, err well the most ridiculous shooting conditions being imposed by concert promoters in Bangkok, putting us miles away and often way off to one side. And well, let’s face it, whilst there’s a few positive signs of decent acts coming back to play here and a local indie scene that’s growing (at snail pace); we’re still a long way form the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan… Here’s some favorites form London, Paris and Bangkok.

Deftones at Reading Festival 2000 © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Herbie Hancock, London © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bangkok © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

PJ Harvey, London © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

L: Red Twenty, Bangkok R: Futon, Bangkok © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Bangkok Punk gig © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Noi, from Thai band Pru © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Bangkok punk gig © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Elastica, on stage, back stage, Reading Fest 2000 © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Suede in Bangkok © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com

Franz Ferdinand and Placebo at Bangkok Rock Fest 2006 © Cedric Arnold / realfeatures.com