A few opinions

When just researching graffiti on google, I found a forum website called thestudentroom.co.uk, on this somebody had posted the question 'Is graffiti simply modern day cave drawing?' and here are a few of the answers people posted in response:

"I don't think so because we now have designated places for art (like paper!) whereas when the cave drawings were made, cave walls were more or less the only surface to use."


"Cave paintings are the same as modern day graffiti in the fact that they are both artistic expression... but we only treasure cave paintings because they're ancient and rare...

Isn't that kind of obvious?
Graffiti is everywhere.. easily replicated and modern... so is of little worth."

"Wasn't the purpose of cave drawings to record events and places and other such stuff? Because in that sense, it differs slightly from graffiti in that graffiti doesn't necessarily have to have a point as such, and doesn't need to document where something is or what happened that day. But in a simple form of they are both done on walls and give the artist freedom then there is a similarity."


"Hmm , interesting question. I think cave drawings were used as a means of communication where as modern graffiti isn't. However I think modern and old graffiti/cave drawings are both ways of expressing ideas and thoughts ect........."


From reading these answers, I was pretty shocked as to their replies. From the earlier research I have done, graffiti holds great meaning, and does have a purpose. A purpose of marking territory, documenting where people were, and it is an art form, you can't say people like Banksy aren't expressing some great artistic talent in their work. I also don't agree with the first statement saying it was only cave art as they didn't have paper, art is everywhere in the world, from buildings to nature, anything can be art in its own right, and anything is beautiful in its own right, including graffiti.

Hazel Thomson

This is a photo essay I found by a lady called Hazel Thomson, there are few on her website http://www.hazelthompson.com/violence/story.shtml that are all really good, touching stories. I found her very useful as her essays had a great format of photographs. beginning with a starting image, action shots and portraits in the middle, and a final shot. Her work is very touching, and done with great skill. Her compositions are interesting, and her images all work really well in colour. As I want my images in colour I found her rather handy.

Richard Cambury

Richard Chambury started his photographic career in 1985 whilst at school on work experience, working as a Darkroom Technician and Photographer at the Herts & Essex Observer in Bishop’s Stortford. He covered events ranging from village fetes, Stansted Airport expansion news, gigs at the Harlow Square and local sport fixtures.

This important grounding in the industry he used in 1988, to make the leap into what was still Fleet Street, where Richard worked as an Assistant Photographer for Nunn Syndication, an agency specialising in photographing the Royal Family, Princess Diana in particular, who was at the height of her popularity.

A year later Richard moved to Alpha Press Agency who specialise in royal and celebrity events. At Alpha Press Agency he worked initially as a Darkroom Technician working his way up the ladder to become a full-time staff photographer. During his 14-year career at Alpha Press Agency he photographed many famous events, including Princess Diana’s funeral, Planet Hollywood’s celebrity opening, the Israeli Embassy Bombing in London, Nelson Mandela’s address to the House of Commons and many red carpet celebrity film premieres and foreign tours made by the Royal Family.

In addition to shooting live news events, Richard worked as Stills Photographer on The Big Breakfast, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and T.F.I Friday honing his skills shooting action as it was aired live on Channel 4 for marketing and publication in the media. Richard worked on a daily basis with Chris Evans, Paula Yates, Paul O’Grady and celebrities who were often in town to promote their movies or book publications. Richard photographed the now infamous interview between Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence, photographing them on the famous Big Breakfast bed, a photograph which was massively used prior and post their tragic deaths.

In his spare time, Richard continues his obsession with photography, shooting portraits and reportage on a regular basis. His photographic influences are Richard Avedon, David Bailey, Henri Cartier Bresson, Annie Leibowitz, William Eggleston and Martin Parr. Recently he has been using Lomography cameras as a challenge to himself to counter the day to day formula of the corporate world.

Information from http://www.richfoto.com/page.tlx?id=richard-chambury

Martin Bennet

MARTIN BENNETT

As a Press Photographer it is my role to provide a image that tells a story or reflects your profile in the media. Whether you are a Picture Desk of a National Newspaper, a Travel or Lifestyle Magazine or a leading Public Relations Company or Business I provide High quality images with fast same day transmission to Publications and Agency's around the world.

After working in Regional Press for a number of years (Bristol Evening Post & Western Daily Press) and getting a solid grounding in the Newspaper 'Game', I went freelance eight years ago and have been commissioned for work by National Newspapers THE TIMES, TELEGRAPH, INDEPENDENT and GUARDIAN as well as major News Agency's REUTERS, PRESS ASSOCIATION, UNIVERSAL and NEWSCAST.

I also have many clients in the commercial arena from all parts of the UK. This involves the Public Relations sector of the Media, Travel , Business, Building and Hospitality Industry who want press quality images worthy to promote them and get their message across and promote their "BRAND" in the media and for their own corporate use.

http://www.mbennettphoto.co.uk/UNi_Homepage01.htm

David Gillanders

Biography

David's obsession with photography developed in his early teens whilst training as a boxer in Glasgow. He became hypnotized by the black and white posters and photographs on the walls of the boxing clubs where he trained and sparred. At the age of 16, when he got fed up of being punched in the head but still loved the atmosphere and characters involved in the boxing world, he returned to the clubs with a camera and started to document what he saw.

In the late 1990's, David won a couple of local photographic competitions with his black and white documentary street scenes of Glasgow life. On the back of this success he began to secure regular commissions from several of Scotland’s leading broadsheet newspapers and magazines. Through regular photographic commissions, David further developed as a photographer and was able to quit his full time employment in 1999 and realise his dream in becoming a photojournalist. He currently undertakes social and humanitarian projects around the world, covering topical issues, which he feels passionately about.

Personal Details

David married his wife, Kirsty, in 1999 and has since had two sons, Cameron Jack (aged 5) and Brodie Mac (aged 3 months). They currently live in Glasgow.

Information from http://www.davidgillanders.com/bio.php

Banksy

He is perhaps the most famous, or infamous, artist alive. To some a genius, to others a vandal. Always controversial, he inspires admiration and provokes outrage in equal measure.

Since Banksy made his name with his trademark stencil-style 'guerrilla' art in public spaces - on walls in London, Brighton, Bristol and even on the West Bank barrier separating Israelis and Palestinians - his works have sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He has dozens of celebrity collectors including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguilera.

He is also known for his headline-making stunts, such as leaving an inflatable doll dressed as a Guantanamo prisoner in Disneyland, California, and hanging a version of the Mona Lisa - but with a smiley face - in the Louvre, Paris.

But perhaps his most provocative statement, and the one that generates the most publicity, is the fact that Banksy's true identity has always been a jealously guarded secret, known to only a handful of trusted friends.

A network of myths has grown up around him. That his real name is Robin Banks. That he used to be a butcher. That his parents don't know what he does, believing him to be an unusually successful painter and decorator.

Then there's the suggestion that Banksy is actually a collective of artists and doesn't exist at all.

Such is the curiosity about Banksy that when the great man threw a pizza box into a bin in Los Angeles, the box resurfaced on auction site eBay, with the seller suggesting that the few anchovies left inside might yield traces of his DNA.

He is the Scarlet Pimpernel of modern art, so adept at leaving false trails that even his own agent has claimed that he is not certain of his identity.

Indeed, trying to establish just who the elusive Banksy is has proved as difficult as predicting the location of his next work.

Information from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1034538/Graffiti-artist-Banksy-unmasked---public-schoolboy-middle-class-suburbia.html

Outlining in Graffiti

Outlines (or sketches) provide the writer with a guide on how to duplicate their art, on the space where they intend to paint. Sometimes writers would exchange cans of spray paint, for outlines from writers with superior artistic ability. At times, a writer with superior painting ability would sketch an outline of the other writers name, in their presence, and have them fill in their own piece. An outline, is the first step on a writers quest, to be the very best. Here are a few sketches from the Subway Outlaws collection and those that have been provided to us.

Here are a few examples

Information from http://www.subwayoutlaws.com/Outlines/Outlines.htm