Love Lucy - ISSUE 02
Books, Beers, Afro-Harping & The Dangers of Comparison...
Housekeeping
First up I just wanna thank everyone for subscribing to this weekly newsletter! It’s always nerve racking when you start something and the fears that no one will sign up, view, like or subscribe are in the back of all our minds when putting ourselves out there. So thankyou for being here. I hope this weeks round up of things gives you something cool to ponder, research or share with a friend. If you somehow got over to this page and you haven’t yet signed up, please do, it’s free and always will be.
SCORCHER BY TIM ROSS
This book is like a little piece of Australian history wrapped up in short stories and beautiful beach and backyard scenes showcasing tanned bodies and vivid colors of days gone by. On first inspection, “Scorcher” appeared to be half photo book, half novel of some kind. I assumed both photography and writing could be attributed to the author Tim Ross, but it appears Ross is only responsible for the amazing words in this little book. After a little research I couldn’t seem to find who had taken the photos that graced these pages, until I uncovered an interview with the author (who is also a comedian and radio host) explaining these photographs are all from the National Australian Archives. Truth be told I would rather the stories and photos be by the same person but I guess it leaves room for me to do that in my zine possibly…
The images evoke a sort of Slim Aarons feel to them but slightly less glamours considering many of them are mere middle class families in 70’s Australia, living ordinary lives that just happen to be accompanied by a healthy tan and endless sunshine. Australia is not so simple of a place as it was back then and looking at these images and reading these stories alongside them makes me nostalgic for a childhood I never even had. A time where you could afford to buy a house with out the bank of mum and dad, food was cheap, smoking was okay, and no one knew how bad sugar was yet. Oh how far, and not far, we have come as a nation.
This book is bang for your buck in my opinion. As much as I love a straight up photo book or zine I do love getting something a little extra with my purchase. These stories work so wonderfully with the images and it really gives these scenes a lot more personality and weight as well as a visual to lend to the story. It’s just working in perfect synergy together and is something I would love to see more of in printed photography books.
A QUOTE TO KEEP ME GROUNDED
Do you ever compare yourself to others? If you say no then you are lying…Social media has opened us up to so much, including crippling anxiety, tech neck, the dissipating ability to socialize in real life and of course the ubiquitous and destructive exercise of comparison. I am really happy in my life but that doesn’t mean there are things I wish I could change or that I long for, like owning my own home with Lux and Luca. I unfollowed any kind of interior design account on Instagram and when I watch Matt Day videos I weep inside when he has made a structural change for the sake of studio space or for filming YouTube videos. Not to mention his beautiful growing family that I’m sure run the halls regularly in that amazing house. So yeah, I end up going down the comparison path… the why do you have that and I don’t path, the how come you are so lucky and I’m not path. The path which my good friend Matt Murray when bombarded with several voice messages about this subject coined as this:
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
And Mr. Murray has never been so right about anything in his life. Those words immediately struck me and snapped me outta the slump I was in. We have all done this and have our own version of this comparison game so whatever yours is. remember how much joy it’s thieving from you and maybe send Matt Murray a voice message to thank him!
DOROTHY ASHBURY - AFRO HARPING
This is another record that I discovered through binge watching Amoeba Records “what’s in my bag” series on YouTube. This one came recommended by lead vocalist of the girl group Habibi, who’s first record for me was a constant in my early to mid twenties. Despite not really knowing too much about this record or being overly savvy when it comes to any kind of record from this genre, I can say whole heartedly that this is one of my favorite records to put on in almost any occasion.
We all need those equalizers, those records that suit any company or time of day. This 1968 record Afro-Harping is one that can be spun anytime. Soul Vibrations is the stand out for most, with it’s melodic harp sounds and danceable drum beat heavy in the back, it’s nothing short of a banger. I really enjoy listening to instrumental records when I’m working on writing or scripting and planning for videos. I get very distracted by lyrics and I love to sing at every opportunity so if I pop on something with vocals I pretty much know I will get nothing done. I think this is also why I love so many Eno records as well. His ambient work is just the right amount of something going on to keep you focused, without becoming distracting. I’ll leave Eno for another newsletter though…
RALPH GIBSON - A LEICAMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH
I am sure that a lot of you reading will already be familiar with this all time great photographer, but I somehow was not. I tend to be so focused on the small, underground or fringe dwelling artists I overlook the bigger picture. Ralph Gibson is absolutely amazing! I am totally blown away with his photography and ability to switch from genre to genre with ease, style and precession. Lux has been going down a Ralph Gibson rabbit hole on YouTube lately and hanging on his every word. Me being the Leica loather that I am, I kind of rolled my eyes at the fuss he was making and wasn’t sure if I could bare another video about the reasons why another old photographer could only use a Leica.
Lux drew me in with some amazingly composed black and white images taken by Ralph and once I saw those I was willing to give Mr. Gibson a go, and boy am I glad I did. He has so many interesting insights into photography and I could just sit and listen to him talk about it all night. Sorry Ralph, for being a judgey bitch…
Anyway if you haven’t seen this video I would highly recommend. Ralph talks about something he calls the point of departure which I really related to and has lead to many conversations around this topic with Lux and I. My point of departure is the content I create for YouTube. For Ralph it is “going to buy toothpaste” the reason he is going out has nothing to do with photography but he needs that end goal to get there. Reverse engineering and creating the photographing experience around the act of going to get the toothpaste is really genius, taking the pressure off “looking” or “trying” and rather just going from A to B and possibly finding something along the way. I used to do this when I lived in the city and instead of getting on public transport I would walk great distances to get somewhere to have lunch, or go to a record or book store, and on the way I would take photos. I know realize it was actually more about the photography than anything else. But I needed that point of departure, and so does Ralph. Do you?
A REALLY GOOD BEER
I’m aware we are all photographers here and not booze hounds, well maybe some of you are, but since this newsletter is about everything I love I just had to share this delicious can of beer with you. Lux has pretty good taste when it comes to beer and reminds me weekly how when we met I was downing the VB’S (a very bad beer here in Australia) with no regard for boutique or craft brews. Now I am wiser, drink a lot less than I used to and spend money on a quality can of the good stuff. Drink this beer it’s an absolute joy! I also have some exciting wines I will be sharing soon as my friend has opened a super cool wine store in my local area and I was lucky enough to get some snaps of him and his shop when strolling past with my T4! Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.
Happy Friday everybody. I hope this newsletter finds you well and if it doesn’t I hope it cheers you up and gives you something to use as inspiration for the weekend ahead!
As I type this my PenFt has just arrived at my doorstep all the way from Japan! I love getting packages delivered it’s so exciting. Speaking of getting cameras delivered to your door don’t forget to catch my chat with Cameron of Selling Cameraz where ever you get your podcasts! Cameron and his team of trained technicians are giving podcast listeners 10% OFF all film cameras till the end of August so be sure to go check out the webstore and see if anything takes your fancy! This Nikon FE with the red leather is looking oh so tempting…There will be a new drop of fully tested cameras dropping in the next few hours so be quick. The team are happy to also answer any questions, offer advice or even sell your film cameras through their site!
Thank you so much for reading and joining me here on Substack.
Take care and happy shooting.
Love Lucy xx
Loving the newsletters. I got inspired by you and setup my own substack account. This seems more doable than a YouTube channel! Have many ideas but need to get started but parenting has been a challenge as always.
Here in Japan not sure that would qualify as "craft". Good stuff probably doesn't make it down to Australia or is prohibitively expensive, but Kirin owns 1/3 of Yo-Ho Brewing so if you see any of there's I can recommend....Comparing is really one of the great "evils" of social media, so hard not to do it, short of leaving the platforms altogether (something I had to do with FB). Keep these up, enjoying them so far.