Santaphobia

A quick google search to uncover the name for the phobia of Santa revealed Santaphobia (go figure!).

wiki.answers.com describes Santaphobia as 'an abnormal, persistent fear of Father Christmas' and goes on to say, 'A good way of avoiding the tears that so often ruin photos of kids with Santa is to back the child onto Father Christmas's knee.' This would also be a way of ensuring your child never trusts you ever again and that the nightmares are YOUR fault.

I don't have a Santaphobia as such. It's more of a dislike for the man. He felt up my Mum while my sister and I sat happily on his lap. Many years later I actually worked as a Santa Photographer. It was my birthday and Santa hugged me. His beard smelled like wet wool and I almost burst in to tears trying to hold back my urge to want to crash tackle and punch him in his big fake belly.

Looking through old Santa photos it has occurred to me that the Santa's all look like axe murderers and sadists. It makes sense. Why the hell else would a man wear a fake beard and loads of padding in Summer while parents 'back' their children onto his lap?

Weight loss program

Here's an image from a photographer I only recently discovered. Alec Soth has a curious and slightly melancholic view of the world and captures this view through his camera lens by way of a documentary style investigation. With a working practice similar to Stephen Shore and William Eggleston though much more directly interactive with his subjects.

In 2010 Alec traveled to England to complete a photographic commission for the Brighton Photo Biennial. Told at customs that he had no work visa and that he could face up to two years in prison if he was caught with a camera in his hands, Alec had to think outside of the square. He handed over his camera to his seven year old daughter who took on the commission.

This image taken (and in the spirit of sharing) from the self published 2008 book 'The Last Days of W', which documents the social decay and urban crisis evident by the end of President Bush's two terms in office.

feel like you're being watched?

Late 18th century Eye Miniatures. These are too fabulous for words!

Georgian Eye Jewellery c1790-1820

Family Photographs

A different take on the 'Family of Man' project, photographer Chris Verene takes an honest and loving look at his extended family in the ongoing (since 1984) Galsburg Series. Living in one of the hardest hit areas in the US due to the economic downturn Chris portrays the daily grind in the town in which his folk exist. The images speak for themselves as a family lives life, death and other disasters before the cameras gaze.

I can't help putting this quote from Woody Allen. When asked if he was a glass half full or a glass half empty person Woody replied that he was a glass half full, but that the glass was half full of poison.

Olympics shmmimpics

It's time to consult the Bunnies in a Box, Bunny Suicide Postcard Collection by the talented Mr. Andy Riley. And just in time. The bunny says it all and captures my Olympic sentiments with perfection.