Simon Marsden film now on DVD

Jason Figgis's 70-minute film, Simon Marsden's Haunted Life in Pictures, is now available to buy on DVD as well as through digital outlets. Jason first told me about his project in June 2016 and the film was premiered at the BFI in London in August 2018.

The movie explores Simon's life and his interest in the paranormal ... especially as expressed through his infrared photography. There are contributions from Simon himself, friends and fellow photographers (including myself). The film is full of examples of his work, and ends with a moving poem, read by John Hurt.

Simon was an great exponent of the classic Kodak High Speed Infrared black and white film (HIE). Its construction, while designed to give an increased speed, coincidentally provided a unique look combining grain and halation. This was his starting point, but Simon was also a skilled printer, since the HIE was notoriously difficult to expose even nearly 'correctly'. His many books are full of infrared images where bright foliage offsets the stone of ruins and statuary.

Simon Marsden died in January 2012. Sad to say that although we corresponded, especially during the centenary celebrations in 2010, Simon and I never met. This film goes some way to rectifying that omission for me.

The DVD is distributed by MVD Entertainment Group/Pop Twist Studios (released December 14th 2021) in the USA and through Wienerworld in Britain from January 10th 2022. Amazon are already selling it and streaming it through Amazon Prime.

Landy Dylan infrared photo for sale via Magnum Editions

The legendary photograph of Bob Dylan, taken using Infrared Ektachrome, by Elliott Landy is currently available to buy as part of the Magnum Editions project.

The price for the 8 by 10 print is £400 and £550 for a framed version. This edition is unique and is limited to 100 copies.

The photo is also available in an open edition in several sizes. The open edition images are signed.

The Magnum shop is in the USA, and I wondered about possible import duties into the UK (and Europe) but there is a note on the site that says "If your order is placed in EUR or GBP, taxes and applicable customs fees are included in the listed price." US buyers don't have that problem of course, just dealing with local sales taxes, which are separate.

Infrared Movie: Las Vegas in Infrared

I've been a bit quiet lately, as a result of moving house, so I thought I'd put up something really nice I recently found on YouTube (although it was posted in 2016).

The videographer, Philip Bloom, notes that he shot this with a Sony RX100 IV with its IR-blocking filter removed, and in slow motion to add to the fun.

Enjoy!

If you'd prefer the source page, go to this page.