Ep9 - Heathcliff O'Malley, War photographer; from Ground Zero to Afghanistan
Release Date: 03/04/2016
EP29 - PHOTOMUSE on Ian Berry and The English
Photographica
This episode and Photomuse is on the importance of the work of Magnum's longest serving photographer, Ian Berry and, in particular, his 1978 book, The English.
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EP28 - Conversation with Loupe Magazine Editor and photographer, Luke Archer
Photographica
Luke Archer is the editor of Loupe Magazine, a printed photography zine which "showcases outstanding images and engaging projects" and is distributed free through various stockists of which Flow Photographic is proudly one. I was fascinated to understand how such a high quality and free magazine could come into being in a world dominated by commercialism and the cult of celebrity. Here is a magazine that offers a quiet discourse on photography in a way that is missing from many of the mainstream offerings in print and online. Luke goes into his background and generously offers up factors...
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EP27 - Conversation with Professor Greg Currie (republish edited)
Photographica
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EP26 - Conversation with Jonathan Teplitzky, director of Railwayman and Churchill
Photographica
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EP25 - On the Decisive Moment - An audio essay from B+W PHOTOGRAPHY MAG
Photographica
This episode takes offers a new view of the relevance of the so-called 'decisive moment' to contemporary photography. Ever since Henri Cartier Bresson coined the term to mean that there is moment when all things come together to capture the essence of a particular situation photographers have been drawn, like moths to a naked bulb, to the beauty of the images that HCB printed as proof of his assertion. Documentary (or street) photography has come a long way since then and in this episode I seek to update the 'master' famous epithet, drawing us away from that light and on to...
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EP24 - PHOTOMUSE 5 - Trump, Brexit and Money for Art, Cambrian Explosion, The Value of Joy and a New Way to Exhibit
Photographica
In this new Photomuse I walk down Portobello ruminating on the issues of the day; I talk about The unsettling effect of Trump The risk to the area world in Britain's exit from Europe The Cambrian explosion of photographic practise Against pigeonholing The importance of joy to the creation of art A new way to exhibit photography designed to affect the viewer viscerally Please get in touch with alex at or @schneideman331 on twitter. Please forgive occasionally poor delivery - I've got a lot on my mind... Thanks for listening...
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EP23 - On Perfectionism, a critique - An audio essay from B+W PHOTOGRAPHY MAG
Photographica
This episode is a recording of my piece for Black+White Photography Magazine issue 194 This piece is all about the over emphasis on the benefits of perfection in photography. Photography is a medium that lends itself to perfectionism - ever better options and technology mean that aberrations and imperfections will be 'optional' in the not so distant future. But what effect does this have on the medium's ability to convey the kernel of our humanity? Do ever sharper pictures with perfectly rendered tones lead us to a sense of truth or away from that and into a...
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EP22 - On Purpose - An audio essay from B+W PHOTOGRAPHY MAG
Photographica
This episode is a recording of my piece for Black+White Photography Magazine issue 193. This article is all about the importance of a sense of purpose to photographic projects. I argue that it is not enough just put out a few pictures and hope that people 'connect'. Rather that the photographer must nail his or her reputation to each project and dig deep to provide an urgent reason why anyone else should spend time in the company of their photographs. If you want to take issue with me on something arising from the podcast - don't hesitate! Head over to the Photographic...
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EP21 - PHOTOMUSE 4 - Worries about fascism and freedom of expression, the Turner prize, a car incident and Buddhist finale
Photographica
Another stroll down Portobello Road on a Friday afternoon with Alex Schneideman. On his mind this week are: The role of photographers and artists in the new hard-right mainstream political landscape. The problems of engaging with the Turner Prize. A minor road rage incident. Buddhism and self sticks. Please get in touch with alex at or @schneideman331 on twitter. Please forgive occasionally poor delivery - I've got a lot on my mind... Thanks for listening...
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EP20 - On Sharpness - An audio essay from B+W PHOTOGRAPHY MAG
Photographica
This episode is a recording of my piece for Black+White Photography Magazine issue 192. It questions the value of sharpness as a goal in photography and offers new ways to view photography in a world that values 'high definition' above many other qualities. If you want to take issue with me on something arising from the podcast - don't hesitate! Head over to the Photographic Podcast website and let me know what you think. Please let others know about the Photographica Podcast by rating us in iTunes - and your are welcome to leave a comment too. It really is the best way to get the...
info_outlineI'VE LIVED A THOUSAND LIVES
One bright September morning in 2001 Heathcliff O'Malley was preparing to spend another day among the catwalks of New York Fashion Week for the Daily Telegraph. His phone rang. It was his editor in London saying that reports were coming in about a plane strike on one of the Twin Towers. This call changed the course Heathcliff's life was to take for the next 5 years. From that moment he was engaged in a story which lead from Ground Zero to Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
Heathcliff O'Malley has been a contract photographer at the Daily Telegraph for 19 years. He has covered everything from fashion shows to conflict. He has won numerous press awards and given talks at London's Frontline Club.
In this Photographica Podcast Heathcliff talks movingly and fascinatingly about his work. He describes in details the life of a photographer covering conflicts, the highs and the deep lows. With almost two decades of time spent photographing the world's conflict zones as well as royal weddings, catwalks and sporting events he offers many wonderful insights into the life of a photojournalist.
ABOUT HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY - Heathcliff O'Malley is a photojournalist based in the United Kingdom where he lives with his family and has a long standing contract with the Daily Telegraph . He has travelled worldwide throughout the Americas, Middle East, Europe and Asia, covering Reportage, Portraiture, Fashion and Corporate assignments
Prior to this Heathcliff assisted a number of photographers including the catwalk photographer Chris Moore before moving on to a London based news agency.
Heathcliff's Editorial work has been published in publications as diverse as National Geographic, Nouvel Observateur, Le Monde and the Guardian to name a few . He received an Award in the Photographer of the Year category of the Picture Editor's Guild Awards in 2001 for his work covering the Genoa G8 Summit, 911 and the subsequent War in Afghanistan.
In 2007 Heathcliff gave a talk and slideshow presentation of his work at the Frontline Club in London focusing on the aftermath of 911 and the War on Terror which he has covered from it's beginning until the present day.
He also appeared with a panel of war reporters during a "Talkback" session with an audience after the showing of Hollywood actor Tim Robbins "Embedded" play at the Riverside Studio's in 2004.
In 2010 Heathcliff won a Press Photographer's Year award for a video he shot in Helmand province whilst embedded with the Coldstream Guards.
info taken from Heathcliff's site heathcliffomalley.photoshelter.com