Matt Marash's Large Format Photography and Barber Shop Project

Old Style Barber Chair, by Reed A. George

Leica M8, Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM Lens

 

I met Matt Marash at the Film Photography Project's Walking Workshop 2014 in Ohio. He's associated with the project, and one of his areas of interest is large format photography. At the workshop, Matt was shooting 8x10 instant film. Very cool.

 

Matt has a lot going on photographically. His large format photography website is quite nice. Be sure to check out his barber shop project, which is just a great idea for a photography project. (Click Here) to see it.

 

(Click Here) to find out more about the Film Photography Project. If you're interested in film photography, this is the place for you.

 

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Andrew Esiebo on NYT Lens Blog - West African Barber Shop Project

 

Image Source: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/documenting-west-africa-one-barbershop-at-a-time/#/1/

 

I am always interested in new photography projects, and how to find them. Many times, they end up being concepts that sound routine, banal, but once the photos are made, an unexpected depth is discovered.

 

Nigerian photographer Andrew Esiebo decided to photograph barber shops across West Africa, including the countries of Ivory Coast, Senegal, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, and Mauritania. Mr. Esiebo comments on the trust that is required to allow a barber to shave you with a straight razor; it leads to a special kind of relationship.

 

Mr. Esiebo found similarities in the shops across West Africa - hand painted signs, posters of sports teams, religion, famous musicians. He also noted how similar hair styles are across the region, even though each may connote a different meaning in different countries. Men's hairstyles can be intended to communicate toughness, freedom from conformity, or attractiveness to females.

 

Mr. Esiebo notes that most foreign photographers coming to Nigeria want to focus on photographing the slums. He feels that the barber shop project provides a different view. I agree.

 

(Click Here) to read the entire post on the New York Times' blog "Lens."

 

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