Blog - Kirsten Murphy Photography

FEB

24

2024

2024 TODOS SANTOS, BCS, WEEK 4

Feb. 24/24 - I'm working on a post about Olive Ridley hatchlings (baby turtles) heading out to sea at sunset. The 30 second video (below photos) was ...

FEB

24

2024

2024 TODOS SANTOS, BCS, WEEK 3.5

This photo gallery is the work of John McKay of Yellowknife, NT. John's private portfolio documents his love of nature in an ever-changing ...

FEB

21

2024

2024 TODOS SANTOS, BCS, WEEK 3

Oscar drove us up and into the Sierras (Mountains). He introduced us to his friend, Marcos, who is a rancher and a potter. Marcos makes simple but ...

FEB

20

2024

2024 TODOS SANTOS, BCS, WEEK 2

"Touch it, touch it, touch it," Marielle J. Robles shouts to our group as a Gray Whale glides towards our panga (small boat). Touching wildlife feels ...

FEB

14

2024

2024 TODOS SANTOS, BCS, WEEK 1

WEEK 1 Feb 05/24. — Jason, John, Alietha and I collect our rental car at the Los Cabos airport (SJD). + 23 Celsius is a welcome change ...

SEP

07

2017

Fort Smith, NT

Had a spectacular day with my friend and author Patti-Kay Hamilton in Fort Smith. Next stop is Wood Buffalo National Park.

SEP

04

2017

Born Twice

Beautifully shot, lovingly told in the New Yorker (July ...

AUG

31

2017

Anonymous Art

I found this photo at the YK Sally Ann. I posted it on FB hoping someone might know who they are - even though no guarantees they are from the NWT. ...

AUG

30

2017

Thanks, KC

Thanks Kirsten Carthew, filmmaker and friend, who is in Berlin working her magic. The postcard is awesome. Keep an eye on your mailbox.

AUG

26

2017

Pet Portraits

A friend and I exchanged services. He knit me a beautiful mohair-silk blanket, which I'll use for baby portraits. In exchange, I photographed his ...

AUG

20

2017

I See

Quite the buzz about tomorrow's total solar eclipse. 'Total' meaning the moon will pass in front of the sun the first time since 1918. We won't see ...

AUG

18

2017

Paper Vintage Cameras

Here is someone who can legitimately put "detailed oriented" on his ...

AUG

16

2017

Forgotten Photographers

I keep a folder called Forgotten Photographers. The title is not entirely accurate because many of the photographers were not recognized when they ...

AUG

15

2017

Tableau Photography

Reading Lit Hub is like walking into Gravity Pope (shoe store): the abundance of choice is exhilarating and overwhelming. The online literary site ...

AUG

13

2017

No Tell Motels

Just because.http://flashbak.com/a-look-inside-hotel-motel-rooms-of-the-1950s-70s-383586/

AUG

11

2017

Public Pools

I love, love the intent of Greg Seggal's Aug. 10 photo essay about public swimming pools in the Washington Post ...

AUG

09

2017

Who invented photography?

There really is no one person but rather philosophers, physicists, chemists and astronomers dating back to the 5th and 16th century who first studied ...

AUG

07

2017

Very Pleased

Thanks to MR for the never-been-used Kodak Pleaser. Still in the box with manual and spare battery. More specifically, thanks to your Pops who hung ...

AUG

05

2017

What does Annie Leibowitz have to do ...

Probably a lot less than she'd like. I agree with Toronto art lawyer Aaron Milrad who said the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Boardmade an ...

AUG

03

2017

Prince of Appropriation

Richard Prince is an American photographer, painter and sculptor who "borrows" other people's images by rephotographing, copying, scanning and ...

AUG

01

2017

The Dude

My love of black and white film photography was reignited while I was studying in New York in 2015. Brian Young (right) - who is far more ...

JUN

23

2015

Finding joy

In a misplaced egg.

MAY

31

2015

Extra Protein

I keep my bedroom window open at night.And when I do, little green visitors greet me in the morning.

MAY

13

2015

Could not have said it better myself

Photo credit: Joana Cardoza (NY via Brazil)Taken at Mana Fine Arts in NJ.

MAY

10

2015

One bite was enough

What was I thinking?

MAY

04

2015

Dive

Shooting the The Swimmers has been a defining experience at ICP. I started on the pool deck at a distance from my subjects. I am ...

APR

30

2015

Hello

Sorry for the inconsistent postings. Thanks for the nudge, JT.We have a bunch of deadlines.As well, I had to re-catalog several thousand images in ...

APR

19

2015

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

I went to the David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea to see the exhibition System and Vision.The show had a wonderful theme: appropriated art. Regrettably, ...

APR

18

2015

Dropped threads

Why is it underwear (usually unwashed) that drops to the floor in the laundry mat? Not a shirt or pants or a dish cloth. (Photo ...

APR

17

2015

The good news is

A new bar opened up in our neighbourhood called Pat'e Palo.The bad news is I live right above it.My nerves! Hopefully last night's rager into the wee ...

APR

13

2015

Shine bright

Like a diamond in the sky.

APR

12

2015

Sprite

During a return flight to New York, I sat beside man who was unable to walk or talk.He was in the middle seat. His wife was beside him.There ...

APR

11

2015

Sunset cruise

I saw a man walking chickens in a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.The man, Jose Penagos, politely corrected me when I asked if they were his chickens."They ...

APR

10

2015

Hello Miami

I took a commuter train to Miami to visit fellow student Julia Pontes.Had a most enjoyable day visiting galleries and museums.We saw Pop Artist Peter ...

APR

08

2015

Seeing Red

Found a great little cafe that serves a decent $5 breakfast.

APR

07

2015

A new challenge

Underwater selfies.

APR

06

2015

Spring Break

I needed a break from NY.The Big Apple is an amazing city but after 7 months I require some quiet (Nancy Potts could have predicted ...

APR

02

2015

Back to the mansion

I returned to the Morris Jumel Mansion for an evening shoot.The assignment was to photograph environmental portraits, on location.The house is ...

MAR

29

2015

End of Term

This is the final week of the winter term.Numerous assignments have my attention.Meanwhile, I made a "fatal error" by improperly ejecting my ...

MAR

22

2015

Water world

I am deciding how to exhibit my final project.The project is about a senior's synchronized swimmer team.ICP's group show is June 19. The deadline to ...

MAR

20

2015

Lunch with Lettice

I had lunch with Lettice Graham: former president of the Honey and Bears Synchronized Swim Team.Lettice was born in North Carolina in 1922.She ...

MAR

10

2015

Wanted Word

There should be a name for the momemt bewtween free fall and flight.Maybe there is.

MAR

09

2015

The making of ...

"Lemon Love": The 30 second stop-action video showcasing 70 lemons living on the Upper West Side.Executive producer, co-writer and editor ...

MAR

07

2015

Large Print

Introducing ... my first mural print with Brian Young (right).The print measures in at 30" by 30". Miguel (Columbia) made this beautiful ...

MAR

06

2015

Friday with Frank (cont.)

We continue working with strobes. This time with soft boxes and beauty dishes.Check out these beauties.Venezuala's Fernando Sandoval (left), ...

MAR

05

2015

Snow in Central Park

Just like in the movies.

MAR

04

2015

Gallery Tour

Narisa Ladak (Toronto, Canada) admires the work of Vera Lutter at the Gagosian Gallery.Lutter uses a camera obscura to make her large scale ...

MAR

03

2015

A cup of tea

... before heading out to tour galleries on the Upper East Side.

MAR

02

2015

A walk in the park

I spent most of yesterday indoors washing wine glasses from the previous night and joining Facebook.Yup. Mark Zukerman, another one bites the ...

MAR

01

2015

Sunday with wine glasses

As you do.

FEB

28

2015

Fridays with Frank

We are learning about strobe lighting with Frank Franca (right) - a master of studio lighting.This is a parabolic light, also known as a large silver ...

FEB

26

2015

Going big

I have the opportunity to make a mural-sized print in my B&W class. By mural I mean 3 ft by 3 ft (1 m x 1 m).Normally this type of ...

FEB

25

2015

Happy Birthday, Robyn!

Memba this? Good times at 2054 Whyte Ave.Sending love from NYC.xo KM[ps - I know you read the blog even though you don't comment:)]

FEB

24

2015

Cold and clear

The Hudson River divides Manhatten from New Jersey.This lookout in Fort Tryon Park is a 10 minute walk from my apartment.The pancake ice on the river ...

FEB

22

2015

Headshots

Just wrapped up a workshop called Photographer Subject Relationships with Eric Gottesman.We worked in teams of 2-3 people to develop a concept ...

FEB

21

2015

Lights

Test shots from Frank Franca's Light and Shadow class.Frank set up the lights.Now we have to reproduce the look.

FEB

15

2015

The birds

. They know I like to watch them.

FEB

11

2015

Underwater

I took the plunge and bought a small Olympus underwater camera for my swimmers series. Of all the options, the Olympus offered the fastest lense ...

FEB

10

2015

Natural Light

The natural light in the kitchen and livingroom are smashing for portraits.(I wish my foot looked this elelgant when I sit on a stool).The ...

FEB

05

2015

Hello there!

I have had a couple of nibbles from the poster. Meanwhile, I am approaching dog owners in my neighbourhood. I ask if I can photograph their dog for a ...

FEB

04

2015

New Project

I am shooting pet portraits for a B&W class.The images will be shot on B&W film - 35 mm and medium format. I finding my "models" ...

FEB

03

2015

Fly on the wall

I think I may have startled it.

FEB

02

2015

Really?

Not only was I was surprised to see the erroneous image of a "Nobel Savage" on a box of butter. But that a friend of mine (a New Yorker) ...

FEB

01

2015

Toasty warm

The apartment is so hot from steam heat (the old radiators) I have to crank open windows to stay cool.Meanwhile, the forecast is for freezing ...

JAN

31

2015

Home Sweet Home

We are still in the process of moving in but I already feel settled.The apartment is in Innwood on the Upper, Upper West Side of Manhattan - ...

JAN

28

2015

Movin' on

I am moving today."Again?" you might ask.Third time is a charm, I say.I am moving in with a New Yorker; a classmate.Hope Davis actively engages with ...

JAN

27

2015

Storm? What Storm?

The "Storm of the Century" was more whimper than roar, at least in the city.This morning people were clearing sidewalks and digging out ...

JAN

26

2015

The storm's a coming

This photo of Nicole Kouri was taken around 5 pm.Right now (9:15 pm) things are pretty calm in and around Manhattan, although expected to pick up by ...

JAN

23

2015

Silence

Yesterday's theme for the workshop was silence.I spent part of the afternoon in a graveyard - where silence speaks volumes.My mixed media piece is ...

JAN

21

2015

The language of neon

Murphy TimesSquarehttps://vimeo.com/117450760In recognition of the omnipotent, we went to the Planetarium and saw "Dark Matter."We were then ...

JAN

21

2015

Art Wall

Instructor Jean Maire Casbrian reads the work of a classmate.I have not had a chance to use my pinhole camera, yet.I have been working with ...

JAN

18

2015

When is a shoe box more than a box?

When it is a pinhole camera.Tomorrow I start a five-day workshop called Imagining the Invisible. It is a class designed to push beyond what we ...

JAN

17

2015

Disobey fear

On the heels of getting naked and getting real, fellow student and future roommate Hope Davis (above in future apartment) sent me ...

JAN

15

2015

Naked In New York

The second assignment for the Documentary workshop was to photograph a classmate in the nude.The degree of nudity was up to us.The purpose of ...

JAN

14

2015

Most challenging assignment, yet

I am taking a documentary class with Andre Lambertson.Our first assignment was to photograph a stranger ... in their house.(insert collective ...

JAN

13

2015

The world of film

These are the images from the Morris-Jumel Mansion shoot. They were shot on a large format camera with Kodak Portra 400 film ...

JAN

12

2015

Back to Bryant Park

This image was taken on a Toyo 4X5 (large format) camera loaded with Ilford 100 B&W sheet film.I cropped the image to a 2X3 ratio to eliminte ...

JAN

11

2015

Sometimes I make my bed

Sometimes I don't.

JAN

10

2015

How cold is it?

So cold the fountain in Bryant Park is frozen.

JAN

08

2015

On location

Fellow student Nicole Kouri (left) poses for Cristias Rosas Chocano.We shot at the Morris-Jumel Mansion for our large format (LF) class.The mansion ...

JAN

07

2015

Poolside

Lettice Graham is the outgoing president of the Honey and Bear Synchronized Swim Club.She is 92, swims 5 days a week and turns heads in black leather ...

JAN

06

2015

White snow

Pink purse.

JAN

05

2015

When it rains

It pours.

JAN

04

2015

Laundry day

My five-storey apartment has two washer-dryers in the basement. Just two. The windowless room is accessible by elevator. No stairs.If there is a ...

JAN

03

2015

Love on the subway

Very sweet, very intense.

JAN

02

2015

Ciao for now

Jason departed for Yellowknife this morning.It was a great visit filled with pizza, sightseeing and NY subway routes.We said our goodbyes at the ...

JAN

01

2015

Happy New Year

2015 is going to be a good one. I can feel it.

DEC

31

2014

Beacon

Jason and I took a day trip to Beacon, NY - population 14,389 (US Census 2013).The quaint little town is 1.5 hours by train from NYC. It is known for ...

DEC

29

2014

Night Lights

In preparation for a colour film photography class I am shooting neon street signs and Christmas lights. Colour film is a ...

DEC

29

2014

MJ, is that you?

Sure looks like the Michael Jackson of the '80's.

DEC

27

2014

Lunch is served

La Bonbonniere is a friendly greasy spoon in the West Village.Jason had a $7 BLT. I had roast chicken with veggies for $10.It is impolite to ...

DEC

27

2014

Neighbourhood watch

The fire escape outside my window is deal for people watching.Jason has made it his clubhouse; his roost.Early Christmas morning he saw a man exit ...

DEC

26

2014

Lost in translation

No bread for me thanks.

DEC

25

2014

Merry Christmas

The best present ever arrived at La Guardia airport last night.Jason Todd Squires touched down just before 8 pm.We took the subway home.Raised a ...

DEC

24

2014

Macy's before Christmas

CBC host and reporter Robyn Burns asked if I had been to Macy's department store.I had not and I took her question as a challenge: brave the iconic ...

DEC

23

2014

Ring a ling, ling

Christmas in the city.Big trees. Big dreams.Gareth S-M-I-T (left), Kirsten Murphy, Hope Davis.

DEC

21

2014

Swimmers keep on swimmin'

Every Monday and Wednesday at Hansborough Pool.

DEC

21

2014

Subway Sprawl

Everyday men take up 1-2 extra seats on NY subways, forcing hundreds, if not thousands, of other passengers to stand while ...

DEC

18

2014

Snowflakes

Catch 'em while you can.

DEC

18

2014

Sakshi the miracle worker

It was a disaster waiting to happen.Every photo shot since arriving in New York was stored on my desk top. I had no back up even though we have been ...