Summers Officially Here | From The Archive

Summer has officially hit us. I read a news article yesterday that "Australia is far too hot!"
It was in the British press mind you, anything above or below room temperature and the complaints start flying.
I do love a good British summer as much as anyone though and to celebrate all things summer,
here is a photograph from the archive, taken in 2001 somewhere on the south coast of England.

Simon Hewson©2014

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #56

We all live in hope of a better something, be it a better tomorrow or material desire.

When is enough enough?

When do we stop to take stock of who we are, what we have amassed or what we have become?

Simon Hewson©2014

2013 CCP Salon presented by Leica and Ilford

I've just got some fantastic news. I have received the overall prize at the Leica & Ilford 2013 CCP Salon in Melbourne.

I'm so very proud to have been given this award. The quality of the work in the Salon is always very high, so I'm over the moon!

Here is my photograph that won.

The show opens tonight and runs until the 14th of December. Get along and have a nose if you can.

http://www.ccp.org.au/exhibitions.php?f=Gallery_1

Simon Hewson©2013

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #55

A lone house sits in the late afternoon sun. The gentle warm wind makes a faint whistle, as it blows through the holes made by the wrecking ball. A home half intact and half forgotten. As I look closer I see the wallpaper of a kids bedroom, whats left of it adorns elk and pine trees.
This house has its memories laid bare, the sounds of laughter absorbed and the tears shed are both evident. Who knows if this house still stands, or if the very next day the wrecking ball swung once more to lay its final blow? Houses are more than structures, they are warmth, light, safety and most importantly they are happiness.

Simon Hewson©2013

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #54

Whilst en-route to the city of sin, or luck, depending on how you look at it, we stopped at the small ghost town of Calico. A mixture of the bizarre and unsurprising. I found it a little saddening that these kind of attractions are no longer attracting passers by in the way they were intended.
A dry and dusty 38 degree heat blew as we roamed the town. We stumbled into one of the stores and I found candy cigarettes, taking me straight back to my childhood. I bought 3 packs in an instant. The lady that served us was dressed in full gold rush attire. She wouldn't have looked out of place in an episode of 'Deadwood'. We got talking and she told us it had been hot up on the hill and things were dry. The horses had all but died in the heat, "They hadn't been looked after real good" she said with hint of anger. "They took em someplace else, someplace undercover where they get fed." She followed with a resigned "They put that sign up. But they ain't coming back. God hoping they don't."

SImon Hewson©2013

How to make a difference, whilst picking up dog poo and making dinner.

Walking to catch a train a few days ago, I had an overwhelming feeling that I'm not making a difference. Now that may sound negative and not big picture thinking, but we all set our own values and hold ourselves to individual standards. This thought may have been sparked by too much time on Facebook looking at Quotes like "If you don't create your dream, people will pay you to create theirs" and "If you had to write your own obituary today what would it say?".

I quite often feel like I should try to make a difference in this world. I make token gestures like turning off lights, not accelerating and braking too hard and picking up litter on the beach. But really these things are almost not worth doing... Or are they? Well, I wouldn't do them if I didn't think that in some tiny way they didn't have effect. But really I want to make an actual difference not just go through the motions.

Once I had boarded the train I had a look around me, many glum faces, mostly glued to iPhones or some other device. Surely this is not living in the moment? Or making the most of every opportunity?
As the train passed over the Harbour Bridge, I looked up at the beautiful structure and out to the sparkling water below. Amazing, this was someones vision, it got built, it makes a difference to peoples lives every single day and will continue too for a very long time. Now I'm not suggesting that I will ever create anything that will even come close, but it would be nice to leave this earth having at least tried to do something.

So I came to the conclusion once again that, the best way for me to make a difference is through my photography. I have to (excuse the pun) re-focus, be more inspired and inspiring, dream with drive and get shit done. I have literally thousands of photographs that only I have seen, they need to be shared. I have bodies of work that I feel will resonate. So I'm making a promise to myself to get my next book and exhibition under way, and hopefully,  make a few people stop and think in the way that a walk to catch a train did for me.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #53

Arshel's. A place to get a hearty feed and a genuine smile.
As we sit, I ponder on how many folk stop by, weary from the road and craving some kind of interaction, however fleeting this may be.
I order the home made soup to start, it's pretty bloody good and I tell them so, in return I get an assured "We thought so!" Next is Fried Chicken, also great. Once my plate of food has been devoured I start to wonder why we are the only two eating there? Is it the wrong time of day? Is there someplace else to eat? Is everyone staying home as it's a Sunday night? On reflection, I came to the conclusion that, in places like this people don't go out for dinner, unless there is something to celebrate. I have a strong sense that these four walls have seen their fair share of celebration over the years, sadly, just not in recent times.

Simon Hewson ©2013

Outtake of the week #1

A slightly disturbing/dark outtake from one of this weeks shoots...

Simon Hewson©2013

The blog is alive!!!

Hello all, you may have thought from my absence that the blog had been laid to rest...
Not so! I have been a touch busy over the past few months, lots of new stuff on the
boil and cleaning up a bit of the old stuff that had got a bit stuck to the stove top.

Here is a little something I have been making along with my wonderful wife
(she is the hot chick in the video!) for musician Adam George... I hope you enjoy it!
I will be back soon... Scouts honor!



Adam George - Clocks from fatografi on Vimeo.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #52

There has been a silence on the blog of late. The silence has now been broken, the clouds have parted so to speak. With clouds in mind, enjoy these stormy ones over the beach of my childhood home.
Until next week (unless things get crazy again!)

Simon Hewson©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #51

"Enjoy uninterrupted views, pristine beaches and crystal clear water"

Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #50

Your probably thinking... what's going on with all this nature stuff?!? All I can say is, I feel very connected to the land and mother earth's powers are strong within. But never fear, next week we will no doubt be back to images of mans love of destruction and the gentle decay of the fabrics of society!
So behold this wonderful sunrise over the Grand Canyon. I thought I would be the early bird, but no. As I arrived at my scouted spot from the previous day, I descended upon hundreds of other sun seekers. Not wanting to hang around or push and shove to get a clear shot, I ran for the hills so to speak. Perched on a rocky out crop, I got the clearest view I could find, I also had the joy of watching the morning unfold by myself, alone with my surrounds, soaking in all of natures glory.

Simon Hewson ©2012

Chappelli by Ian Chappell

Simon Hewson ©2012

The new book by Ian Chappell is soon to hit the shelves. It promises to be an exciting read and not just one for the cricket fans. I just got my advance copy from Random House. I'm really pleased with the cover, which was designed by Luke Causby at Blue Cork. We had a great day shooting with Ian, he was relaxed and in great spirits, he told us many funny and fascinating tales whilst photographing him.

I can only begin to imagine what lies between the covers of the book! 

The book is due out on the 19th of November and will be available from all good bookstores.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #49

This weeks instalment is from a new series that I have been working on.
'Lantana and other weeds' takes a brief look at how society attaches labels.
A flower can be a thing of beauty in one world, but in another it can be considered noxious.
If a plant grows strong, pushes through adversity and flowers to spread seed, then why do we not take joy in such things?
Is this not a metaphor for life?

Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #48

A rather fetching array of colour for you this week.
This photograph was made in Aigues Mortes, France. No more explanation needed.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #47

A little late with this weeks image... Lot's of projects are up in the air. I have never been able to juggle more than two balls. Take that how you will!

This weeks image is from the archive, taken back in 2004 in Japan.

After a long and some what failed night in Tokyo, I awoke to a beautifully crisp morning.
On opening the curtains Tina Turner instantly blurted out "Steeeaaamy windows... Comin from ya body heat." In my head of course.

Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #46

A warm fridge, containing only moisture. Carpets that bare nondescript stains, some so darkened with age that there may well have been a bloody battle fought and lost. Curtains that let in the light of day, but are threadbare enough to allow the laziest of peeping toms a good look come night fall. A mattress supported by a number of milk crates, all of different heights and strengths. Wood panel walls that provide an easy clean surface and an odd odour.

We made the decision that we could stretch the budget form here on in.

Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #45

This weeks image is a little sneak peak into my new series. It will be produced in book form and if the stars align, it will be available by the end of November. I don't want to give away too much now, however I will tell you that this series has been on my mind and the focus of my lens for about 6 years. This photograph was made in the old town of Belchite, Spain. The entire town still stands locked in time. Civil war broke out here in 1937. Once the battle was over, Franco ordered that the ruins of Belchite be left as a monument to a bloody civil war, the remaining residents were forced to build a new town next to the expanse of ruins that they once called home.

Simon Hewson©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #44

I sometimes find staring at certain photographs very soothing. A sense of peace and calm take over, as the internal chatter goes quiet.
To me, this is one of those photographs. Have a stare. I hope you feel the same.

Simon Hewson©2012

Obama

As the paint slowly peals and cracks appear, President Obamas framed photo bends with age.
The Democratic party building in Dixon, Illinois.

Simon Hewson©2012