Where have you been !
As of September 2009 I am stable, working hard and uploading albeit no consistently. My life has not stabilised in the way I hoped - My bipolar has led me down the garden path and into hospital for 6 weeks recently as I was suicidal thanks to drug imbalanaces.
I again thank the people who send me emails and say hi. I'm around and Im vocal, but not so much here where the old flickr has become something new - a place where rubbish and porn seems to dominate some days and censorship is the order of the day.
How would you describe yourself ?
An enigma wrapped in a riddle tied up in newspaper and thrown off a bridge.
No seriously ?
Former photojournalist who fled the bright lights and dingy darkrooms for fame, fortune and a living wage back in the mists of time, now a sometime amateur photographer who dreams of the days when he understood esoteric concepts such as depth of field and aperture as an escape from a life spent dealing with the problems of suffering users and staff in the world of corporate Information Technology.
What do you want most out of life ?
A quiet mind.
Why ?
Ask me.
So where are you in the world ?
Sunny sub tropical Brisbane, capital of the sunny sub tropical state of Queensland in the sun burned land of Australia. Yes it’s hot here. No we don’t have kangaroos in the streets – we ate them all. We do however have koalas. Stinking smelly things that sleep all day and do nothing productive. Which describes the political system as well really.
What do you photograph and why?
Anything I can think of. I used to do a lot of architecture and nature photography as an alternative to newspaper work (its fun but there are only so many cake stalls you can photograph and stay sane) and I still tend to do a lot of that, I like taking images of the places and world around me.
I’m trying to be more creative and out there, photograph different subjects and think outside the box a bit more, which is why I like flickr as I can get great ideas here which hopefully will translate into something better on film – At the moment I'm trying hard to recover the lost skills I used to have when working with 35mm film – digital is different.
What camera do you have ?
I have a number of cameras - Right now my newest and favorite toy is a Canon EOS350D I bought as a birthday present after years of waiting for one - I’m rediscovering the joy and the frustration of working with an SLR and re-learning things such as depth of field and composition - and having a blast doing it. I've got the kit 18-55EFS lens for that and an EF75-300 tele as well, currently looking very closely at a 105mm Prime Macro lens and a 29mm fish eye as the next buys.
Most of the images in my photostream were shot with my trusty old Canon Powershot A40, it has been a truly excellent camera and produced some incredible images for such a small camera. There's also the remnants of a Canon 35mm Outfit here - my EOS10 died recently never to be repaired and I have an EOS1000 with sticky shutter curtains and a few older EOS lenses for them - as well as 2 manual SLRS which have seen better days but at over 30 years old are good fun to play with.
Who is your favorite photographer ?
I would say most of the time that don’t have one favorite as such, I have a number I admire and whose work stands out to me including Ansell Adams who’s amazing images are a glimpse at a timeless forgotten wilderness; Matthew Brady for images of the American Civil war that still manage to send chills up my spine; Cornell and Robert Capa for bodies of work that are testaments to the power of Photojournalism along with people like Margaret Bourke White and Alfred Eisenstadt among many many others. I also have a thing for Herb Ritts and Annie Leibovitz and love Mapplethorpe for artistic work and Philipe Halsman for pure creative joy.
On my walls I have images by Euegene Smith, Phillipe Halsman, HCB and Man Ray. I guess I have a thing for Black and white basically.
But the number one for me is Henri Cartier Bresson - simply the best, the complete article – the definitive photojournalist if you like and one of the greatest photographers I think has ever been.
Of the things you have lost what do you miss the most ?
Sanity.
What would you like most to get out of flickr ?
I would love to think it can motivate me to do better work and return to taking photographs of the quality I used to work in, it’s already motivated me to get a better camera and introduced me to some incredible work by amazing people.
What do you like most about flickr ?
The incredible images I get to see every single day from people all over the world, the quality of work here astounds me and continues to both motivate and challenge - there are some amazing people working here and I cannot recommend enough the need for people to comment on other's images and add people you like to your contacts lists - this is what makes flickr so amazing to me, no need to look at 100 photoblog websites - I can come here and see it all in one place and find something new every minute of every day.
I have found so many people whose work I admire and love through this community - people like DRP, Tonspi, Thomas Hawk, Matilde B and others who every day post images of beauty and skill which keep me coming back - flickr is special - it's given people a place to share their talent and vision and give us the privilege of sharing it with them.
In closing?
If you like my images please comment on them, make suggestions if you don’t like them, let me know what you think - I want your thoughts.
"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy."
Henri Cartier-Bresson
What do you think of my work? Your comments, thoughts and criticisms sought, please feel free to leave a comment about any of my images - I encourage people to comment on peoples work here - flickr exists to give inspiration and support to all photographers - if you see something you like comment on it - no matter who the photographer is.
My images are a story of an average journey through an average life in an extraordinary world - come along with all of us and join in.
My work is for sale for commercial use and free of charge for non commercial use with attribution. If you are interested in using an image for any purpose please contact me by email.
monkeyc.net's favorite photos from other Flickr members (1,093)
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Seattle rainscreen
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voyager21st
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Komshiki
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John Carney
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Groups (50)
- Creative Commons Australia Pool 1185 photos, 62 members
- Flickr Snobs (post 1 constructively comment on 3) 284 photos, 58 members
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- MOO (MiniCards, Business Cards & More, Printed by MOO) 12758 photos, 10672 members
- "The Portfolio:Pro Invitation" - Constructive Critiques 2404 photos, 1600 members
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- The Little Cherub Award (Steiners your Fan) 37 photos, 54 members
- ╠Art Libre-Free Art-Arte Libre-Freie Kunst-INVITED PIX ONLY 37293 photos, 7444 members
- Metaphor/Concept-ONE WORD concept only 978 photos, 557 members
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- Australian Photographers!!! 108853 photos, 3386 members
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- Mundo Uno - One World, One Future, for the Children 21230 photos, 5313 members
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- $Flickr money shots$ 7155 photos, 410 members
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- Interestingness - Top 500 (READ THE RULES!) 40031 photos, 4532 members
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Testimonials (11)
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wja_farrow says:
"Turned me onto Flickr like he did Mr. Magoo.
I have been taking photos for quite a long time as well but since most of it's on film and I'm just too cheap to get a really decent scanner... my collection of works hangs on walls in my home and those that have purchased it.
John's stuff has always interested me though. I have to say though that he's a sick sick sick sick sick man. Which is why I like him so much and probably why we get along so well.....
Good photos, a good cook and Great taste in whiskey.
What else needs to be said?"11th April, 2008
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Mr Magoo ICU says:
"John was the original reason why I became to exist on Flickr. As I started out in photography he was someone I could constantly badger with stupid technical questions and draw my inspiration from. It is his love of industrial landscapes that allowed me to admire the beauty in things which didn't fit the status-quo. Working with the guy meant I had almost unlimited access to pick his brain and to bounce ideas off for critque of which I am eternally greatful for.
A brilliant photographer and all round nice guy, his photostream speaks for itself.. have a thorough look through and be amazed at the versitility and creativity shown throughout his work.
Congrats John and thanks :-)"15th February, 2007
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Steiner62 (An Animal & his Anima) says:
"Three 'P' words came to my mind as I swam through John's photostream properly for the first time yesterday...
PASSION - this guy is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, & skillfully despatch the dimwitted (& often compositionally challenged) naysayers we all encounter from time to time here in flickr!
His ability to display this passion where it counts most though - through his camera lens is, in a word, extraordinary. No doubt many of you just nodded in approval if you're au fait with his photostream already.
PRECISION - John's compositional & framing sense is second to none in flickr, IMHO. He has that rarest of gifts, an ultrakeen eye, always ready to take a banal enough object from daily life (whether it's a Jetplane or a Radio Antenna!) & transform it into something unique.
PERSONALITY - John is one of the nicest guys I have never met! He is unselfish with his time here, he is always offering encouragement to those who need it (like me!), along with fair & honest critique. He'll crop up in a thread here giving sound advice, then as Admin there, making a Solomon type Judgment! His dedication to others here is truly exemplary.
The perfect flickr contact in other words...
Now dive into his photostream if you are here for the first time.
My money is on you staying longer than you planned..."10th May, 2006
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Kris Kros says:
"John is not only a friend but also someone that I really admire. He opened my eyes to a different level of photography. There were times that he was the funniest mate on flickr and that is what I love most in his photography. He has a style so different from most of us. Very proud to be his friend."
20th April, 2006
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Reini68 says:
"Monkey - naaah he isn't a monkey. He's John!
John is a great photographer. He tries a lot, and most of it works for me. You cannot take that many pictures and each of them pleases everyone. You know! But the majority of his pictures are very pleasant, to me at least.
What to say about his personality? He is very impulsive, something that he shares with me. He is honest, he is nice and he is ready to take critique and discuss it. This is important to improve - for both the commentor as well as the receiver of the comment. The dialogue is the important thing on the way to improvement. He knows that and he gets into it."19th April, 2006
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Cyron says:
"John's photosteam is an amazing unfolding story of the process of someone rediscovering a joy they've previously forgotten. He has gone from someone I'd happily offer photography advice to, to someone I'd be only too happy to accept it from.
Loving your hobby is a wonderful thing"19th April, 2006
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Leviathor says:
"Monkeyc is an enigmatic photographer. While some may take this as ambiguous or unpredictable, he is definitely anything but.
His delve into highly compositional and professionally-processed images are quite addictive, and well worth the time in observing his images. His B&W and color photography are both engaging and entertaining--a real "must-see."
Take some time to look through Monkeyc's stream and you will not be disappointed; much to the contradictory, you will be intrigued and engaged by the images gracing your eyes. A first-rate photographer, nothing less!"16th April, 2006
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ipernity.com/home/nicoleb / No to censorship says:
"He is one of those people on flickr, which still care about others, try to help, when asked. Who helps you improve your skills and who is still open for suggestions and eager to get Tips himself.
His pictures are gems and the stream is worth your time clicking through.
Don't forget to leave your statement on the pictures though ;)!"3rd April, 2006
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Zenith Phuong says:
"he is among the nicest people on Flickr i know! he gave me a lot of useful advice, for which i dont think i could thank him enough!"
20th March, 2006
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koduckgirl says:
"One of the many things I like about flickr can be described via the testimonial I am writing about John AKA monkeyc.net...
it is great to be able to meet and become friends and fellow shutterbugs with photographers from all over the world and have it seem as tho they are in your neighborhood with the amount of communication, the familiarity of the comment pass back in forth and support...
It has been a great thing to get to know John, such a gunho pumper of his impressive work, but at the same time not so absorbed in his stuff not to notice and hail[and defend at times;-)]others which I can totally relate to also...
He's up front and not afraid to speak honestly but at the same time extremely valid thinker and supporter of fellow photo heads and group ideas,
An out-there but at the same time down to earth, shutterbuggyhead ;-)...
Looking forward to more and more and more and more and MORE GREAT STUFF!
cheers-Tryntje/koduckgirl"7th March, 2006
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Xenedis says:
"Since joining the ranks of Flickrers, I've observed John's attitude towards, and progress with, his photography, and it comes across loud and clear that he's having a great time, and is embracing as much of this wonderful hobby as he can fit into what I know is a busy lifestyle.
His attitude is very positive and open, and he's definitely going through a rapid learning phase, with much positive experimentation evident in his shots.
Well done, and keep at it!"21st February, 2006
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