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Y CAE / THE FIELD is an ongoing series of exhibitions curated by Valley Ffocws art collective in collaboration with the Ynysybwl Regeneration Partnership (YRP) on the subject of the former Lady Windsor Colliery site, a few miles north of Pontypridd. Each exhibitor will take over the six presentation boards located along the the Windsor Trail for two months, host a shared community event and create a publication available from the YRP office.The common focus is the site of the Lady Windsor Colliery and its future. Each contributor brings their own expertise, including photography, industrial archaeology, social history, illustration & storytelling, fine art, ecology and surveying. The aim is to both inform and stimulate given the backdrop of the site's industrial life between 1886 and 1988 and provoke fresh ideas in the context of today's challenges; in particular, climate emergency. Dr Steven Murray has been recording the Lady Windsor Colliery site for 14 years and finds a mosaic of biodiversity, an accidental haven for wildlife at a small scale. His macro photographic landscapes across this tapestry of habitats are displayed much enlarged, but the originals can still be spotted by the naked eye. Steven works as a Science Teacher in Beddau.Listen to Steven discussing his work and images for this project below… “Valley Ffocws is a multi-disciplined, inclusive creative collective making innovative work in and on the Valleys. Outcomes can take any number of forms, but activism and change lie at the heart of its endeavour. This shifting collective invites creativity beyond the traditional arts” — Julie Cook, Valley Ffocws founder You can follow the Valley Ffocws collective and their progress on Twitter @valleyffocws2Or contact Julie Cook at: juliecook1@icloud.com Original Valley Ffocws piece shared here in Ffoton News on 12 March 2021 The Valley Ffocws Collective have a new project seeking photographers interested in contributing creative work Click the image to download 2-page brief as PDF file Ynysybwl is in many ways a typical valleys village with the Former Lady Windsor Colliery (closed 1988) at its core. The historical names of the fields also tell us that this site was also once a calf field and in the surrounding area there were apple fields, pasture, woods, a cottage garden and croft. However it is the recent past that dominates the heart of the community as its reason to be: people living, working and dying for the coal industry. Today there is little evidence of this history and the colliery site lies eerily vacant, whist finding a new use as a community facility; a site for leisure activities. It has also matured into a diverse landscape and a haven for wildlife. We support the notion that it could be ‘saved as nothing'; hence, biodiversity might flourish beyond human intervention. The site is currently threatened by development by Persimmon Homes and proposals have been moving forward with very little consultation with the community. THE PROJECT To bring together photographers/artists/writers to make work on and around the former colliery site to include issues around history, geology, nature and community. The outcome could take a number of forms with activism and institutional change at its heart. Julie Cook is leading the project and anyone interested can contact her via details provided in the document opposite.@valleyffocws on TwitterFacebook Group

Ffoton's Brian Carroll talks with Anglesey-based photographer Adrian Cann about the launch of his new virtual gallery website www.eyelevelgallery.co.uk and what it can offer photographers in and beyond Wales. The Gallery website launches with an exhibition of work by photographer Philip Butler titled 'Small Hours' - inspired by the 1977 John Martyn song of the same name. Small Hours is a collection of photographs produced to document the peaceful cinematic atmosphere that isolated points of artificial light create after the sun has set. Captured in and around his small hometown of Malvern, Butler wandered the streets after dark searching for inspiration. The work was published as a photobook in late 2020 by Art Deco Magpie (ADM) Publishing. Audio © 2021 Ffoton

In this exclusive first interview with its four members, Ffoton explores the project behind Wales’ new photographer Collective - collaborating to documentthe impact of Brexit on people across Wales.Ffoton’s Emyr Young talks with DocCymru photographers Rhodri Jones, Kristina Banholzer, Roger Tiley and Glenn Edwards about their new documentary project in Wales and what it aims to achieve over the next three years. Follow the photographers and development of the project on Twitter @DocCymru24© 2021 Ffoton

Ffoton joined Newport-based photographer John Briggs for a special event in Cardiff on Saturday 9 November to launch ‘Walking Cardiff’ - a new book he collaborated on with author and poet Peter Finch and published by Seren Books. l-r: photographer John Briggs, writer Peter Finch, and event Chair - novelist and literary critic Grahame Davies “Walking Cardiff is a new book published by Seren and brings together twenty walks around the bustling capital of Wales in a guide that visits the new and the ancient, the difficult, the undiscovered, the lesser-knowns, the artistic, the entertaining, the quirky and the unexpected - uncovering Cardiff past and present for all to enjoy.” — Seren Books View fullsize The authors describing some of the more interesting walks around Cardiff. Image © Brian Carroll View fullsize The animated Peter Finch describing the ‘psychic centre’ of Cardiff with photographer John Briggs capturing the moment. Image © Brian Carroll To mark the launch of the new book, Seren hosted a free event in Jurys Hotel in Cardiff bringing together author Peter Finch and photographer John Briggs in conversation with Grahame Davies.Our thanks to the authors and Seren Books for agreeing to record the event. You can find out more about the book on Seren’s website - www.serenbooks.com

Photographer James Morris talking about his work made in Palestine and exhibited in Ffotogaleri y Gofeb in Machynlleth 11 June - 5 October 2019. Joining Peter for this special talk on was Irish poet Damian Gorman who discussed his own time in Palestine and read some of his own work on the day.

Ffotogallery celebrated the opening of their new home on Fanny Street in the Cathays area of Cardiff on the evening of Wednesday 11 September 2019.If you didn’t have an invite, you’ll have missed the opening speeches by new Chair of their Board of Trustees Mathew Talfan and current Director David Drake. So we recorded it for posterity.Congratulations to the Ffotogallery team on securing a home and new gallery space - and for the initial refurbishment efforts to create an immediately useable gallery and library space.“The beginning of a new chapter…”Ffoton believes it important that all photographers in Wales have a listen and keep track of actual delivery on the many aspirational goals mentioned in the recording since, in their own words…“Ffotogallery is the national development agency for photography and lens-based media in Wales”.This self-ascribed title attracts £199,472.00 of Welsh Government public funding via Arts Council Wales* - so it’s important that photographers across Wales share in the benefits of this funding annually.Pay attention folks.*source: latest Ffotogallery Accounts to 31 March 2018 on Charity Commission website (worth a read) “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” — Ansel Adams

Photography talk at Ffotogaleri y Gofeb in Machynlleth 30 March 2019 by group exhibition photographers John Blakemore, Pete Davis, Marian Delyth, Peter Cattrell and Aled Rhys Hughes.

'The South Wales Project' members Jon Pountney, Sean Marshall-Waters and Anna Jones discuss their new documentary photography project on the South Wales Valleys and explain how they'd like other contributors to get involved. Recorded at The Workers Galley in Ynyshir, Porth on Saturday 13 April 2019.

Photographer Paul Cabuts gives an artist talk to accompany his CHAPEL exhibition in The Workers Gallery, Ynyshir on Saturday 13 April 2019.

The Valleys Legacy exhibition and Photography at Coleg Gwent - Ffoton talks with Peter Britton, Course Leader on the Photography Foundation Degree

Photographer Aiyush Pachnanda has won EyeEm photographer of the year 2018 - a worldwide competition open to all.Hailing from London and currently in his final year studying Photojournalism at the University of South Wales in Cardiff, Aiyush (or Yushy to his friends) sat down at our October #ffotonsocial to tell us about the award and his current photography projects.

Analogue photography - or for many, the look of analogue photography - continues to gain popularity in both commercial and personal photography. Even with easy access to high resolution digital cameras and smartphones that now yield clean and superb quality images, many photographers will at some time experiment with a filmic look to their images via filters or the borders surrounding them. London-based photographer Kasia Wozniak specialises in true analogue photography in the form of wet plate collodion - one of the first photography techniques dating back to the middle of the 19th century. Ffoton’s Brian Carroll sat down with her at the recent 2018 EYE International Photography Festival following her presentation to discuss her impressive work and collaborations with designers and brands in the commercial world of fashion photography.

A Ffoton recording of Welsh photographers Dan Wood and Paul Cabuts in conversation soon after the launch of Dan's second book 'Gap in the Hedge'. The book documents a childhood car journey he took with his mother every Saturday from Bridgend to visit relatives in the Rhondda Valley via the Bwlch-y-Clawdd mountain and forest pass. “This journey was my first experience of becoming aware of things. I found myself asking questions like, ‘what’s in those forests?’ and ‘what’s behind that mountain ridge?" Recorded Saturday 15th September 2018 in The Workers Gallery, Porth, Rhondda where a small

Photographer, book maker and member of 'Inside the Outside' collective Joseph Wright delivered one of his popular photography book-making workshops in Cardiff recently and we went along to talk with him.A talented and passionate landscape photographer, Joe has gained recognition and praise for his creative approach to presenting the his own work and that of other photographers in beautifully crafted handmade books using a variety of techniques, materials and binding.Enjoy listening to our conversation with Joe below and look out for his future workshops in your area. View fullsize View fullsize You can find out more about Joe's special edition books and popular book making workshops on his JW Editions website www.jweditions.co.uk and @JWEditions on Twitter.Explore Joe's own photography on his website www.josephwright.co.uk and follow him on Twitter @joearwrightFollow his exploits amongst the Inside the Outside collective on their website inside-the-outside.com and follow them on Twitter @inside_the_out

Welsh photographer Dan Wood tells the story behind the work in his new book 'Gap in the Hedge' being published by Another Place Press in 2018.

We went along this weekend to The Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol for the premiere screening of the new Do Not Bend film on the life and influence of photography writer, educator and maverick Bill Jay - and a full day of fantastic talks from influential photographers making work in the UK during the 1970's.The premiere screening last night (Friday 20th April) at The Martin Parr Foundation had a packed house and those attending weren't disappointed. Co-producers Grant Scott and Tim Pellatt created a very informative and touching tribute to Bill Jay - respected by many photographers and students in the UK where he was first editor of the influential Creative Camera magazine which ran from 1968–1969 before founding and editing twelve issues of the equally respected Album magazine from 1970-1971. Jay then moved to America in 1972 and founded the Photographic Studies program at Arizona State University, where he was professor of art history and taught photography history and criticism for 25 years.To a wider community of photography enthusiasts, Bill Jay will be remembered as co-author with long-time close friend David Hurn on their popular book On Being a Photographer, first published in 1997 and still in print.Ffoton's Brian Carroll caught up with Grant Scott to hear about the inspiration for making the film and his response to the audience reaction at the Premiere screening. Listen below... View fullsize Conversations between presentation sessions at The Martin Parr Foundation. © Brian Carroll View fullsize A lovely moment of mutual respect: photographers and old friends Markéta Luskačová and David Hurn catch up after many years. © Brian Carroll The following day (Saturday 22nd April) was packed with talks from influential photographers working in the UK during the 1970's; with the programme consisting of...John MyersMyers was shooting a mixture of portraits and urban landscapes in the Birmingham area in the 1970s in a project called ‘Middle England.’ He is currently working with RRB Photobooks to publish his full archive and their first book together, titled ‘The Portraits’, will be launched on the 21st April to coincide with Myers’ talk.Markéta Luskačová in conversation with Ken GrantLuskačová has lived in London for almost 45 years and photographed in the East End in the 1970s. This work culminated in a show at the Whitechapel Gallery.Peter MitchellMitchell’s landmark colour exhibition ‘A New Refutation of the Viking 4 Mission’ was shown in 1979 at the Impressions Gallery, York. Peter will discuss the ideas and concepts behind this and his other bodies of work.Sirkka-Liisa KonttinenFinnish photographer Konttinen has lived and worked in the Newcastle area for nearly 50 years and is a co-founder of the Amber collective. She will talk about her Byker work from the 1970s which was recently acquired and shown by the Tate Modern. More recently Sirkka returned to Byker and photographed the new estate and it’s inhabitants that replaced the original community for her project Byker Revisited.David Hurn in conversation with Martin ParrHurn was a pivotal figure of this decade, working both as a fashion photographer and photojournalist. At the time, his London flat was almost regarded as the creative hub of British photography. He will be in conversation with Martin Parr. David Hurn in conversation with Martin Parr in the final session. Hurn had the audience entranced (and often in stitched with laughter) with his anecdotes, views and trademark frankness. © Brian Carroll

Part 1 of 2. Cardiff photographer Nigel Pugh outlines his plans and intended approach before starting to photograph his 'Creating Sanctuary' project, exploring the experiences of six volunteers from across Wales working with refugees from conflict zones. The work is being shown in an exhibition on the first floor gallery space of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay 31 May - 2 July 2017.

The Northern Eye International Photography Festival website is now live and tickets available to book online - including exclusive 'Early Bird' tickets during August! View fullsize Glenn Edwards, photojournalist and Director of the EYE International Photography Festival, describes what to expect at the Northern Eye International Photography Festival - a new collaboration between the Oriel Colwyn photography gallery and Aberystwyth-based Eye Festival that is taking place in Colwyn Bay 14-15 October 2017. Tickets for the full Festival weekend or individual days are now available.Click the button below to grab one! Festival tickets - yummy Take a look at the full Festival Programme and more information on associated events running through October on the Festival website www.northerneyefestival.co.ukFollow them on Twitter @NortherneyefestBanner image: The Los Angeles Recordings © Kwasi-Boyd-Bouldin (exhibition at the Northern Eye Festival)

Speech by American photojournalist Chuck Rapoport on accepting his Honorary Lifetime Membership Award from the NUJ for his work photo essay work in the immediate aftermath of the Aberfan Disaster in Wales 1966

The haunting Aberfan photographs by American photojournalist I.C. Rapoport  (known as Chuck) were captured over a six week period when he came to Wales on 29th October 1966 to record a photo essay idea he had pitched to the prestigious LIFE Magazine in New York titled, "A Town without Children". Ffoton present this exclusive video of Chuck's digital exhibition launch at Redhouse in Merthyr Tydfil on the evening of 12th September 2016.

Ffoton's Brian Carroll talks with Welsh photographer Roger Tiley at his latest exhibition of work titled 'Coal Faces Changing Places' showing at The Kickplate Gallery in Abertillery during October 2016. It also marks the launch of a new book of the work with the same name.

Ffoton's Brian Carroll visits the IRIS Prize 2016 exhibition of work by South Wales artist and photographer Jon Pountney. The exhibition titles 'IRIS & Me' marks the 10th anniversary of the IRIS Film festival and Jon's Unit photography on location with films in production and the annual Festival. Recorded at the Park Inn Hotel on Thursday 13th October 2016.

Our audio recording of photographer David Hurn giving his special talk his photography at the Aberfan Disaster at the National Museum Cardiff on 2nd September 2016.

Ffoton speaks with 2 of the founders of new Landscape photography Collective 'Inside the Outside' - Rob Hudson and Al Brydon.

With the event Programme and guest Speakers now in place, Ffoton's Brian Carroll grabbed a coffee with The Eye International Photography Festival Director and busy photojournalist Glenn Edwards to find out more about the format of the 2016 event, taking place in Aberystwyth Friday 30 September -Sunday 2 October 2016

Ffoton speaks Steven Martin of Cardiff-based API developers Pwinty about their latest online tool for photographers - Pwint.ly - an easy and accessible online service for photographers to sell their work.

Ffoton Wales talk with Mark Hooper, founder of the Indycube network of co-working locations around Wales and the potential for photographers to use the spaces as bases if travelling around Wales on projects.

Ffoton Wales' Brian Carroll speaks with Caryl Ebenezer, Director/Producer of the new Philip Jones Griffiths TV Documentary aired on S4C on 28th February 2016 to mark Philip's 80th Birthday and 50 years since the world-famous photojournalist first visited Vietnam. The conversation covers the setup and pre-production of making the documentary for Welsh TV Broadcaster S4C, filming in Vietnam, the enthusiastic involvement of Philip's family, Magnum Photos and photographers in making the programme to pay homage to one of Wales' great photographers and photojournalists.

Photojournalist Glenn Edwards speaks with Magnum photographer Ian Berry just prior to Ian delivering the second Nick Lewis Memorial lecture hosted by Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. Recorded by Ffoton Wales on 25th February 2016 in Cardiff.

Ffoton Wales talk with Paul Sampson, curator at Oriel Colwyn in North Wales about the gallery and the work it's doing to promote and show photography from the area and much wider afield.

Ffoton Wales' Emyr Young talks with photographers Colin McPherson and James O Jenkins at the launch of 'Common Ground' a joint exhibition showing work by Scottish Collective Document Scotland and Wales Collective A Fine Beginning.

After almost a year since we recorded our original conversation with photographer Tim Collier, we were delighted to pay him another visit to hear the background to his most recent project ‘Ghosts of the Restless Shore: Space, Place and Memory of the Sefton Coast’.

We speak with University of South Wales photojournalism student and environmental and ethical wildlife photojournalist Craig Redmond.

This last weekend saw the official launch of Jon Pountney's God Forgive Me exhibition at the rather splendid Redhouse Cymru in Merthyr Tydfil and we went along to have a look.

We grabbed a chat with photographers Hannah Saunders and Peter Evans to discuss their work and involvement through the week of Fotofringe Wales and Made in Roath 2015.

Rob Cooper of Littleman Coffee Co. in Cardiff outlines the company's ethos in supporting emerging creative talent.

Futon Wales grabbed the opportunity to speak with various photographers on our early June 2015 visit to the Philip Jones Griffiths exhibition in Aberystwyth. Whilst at th Nation Library of Wales for the launch of the exhibition, we had the pleasure of meeting local photographer and retired botanist Alan Hale.

Ffoton Wales co-founder Brian Carroll met up with Scottish artist Alastair Cook at his home in Edinburgh. As the driving force behind many visual arts projects such as Documenting Britain, Film Poem and Fêis, Alastair gives some background to his work in various forms of still and moving image. You can find out more about Alastair via his website www.alastaircook.com and follow him on Twitter @AlastairCook

Artist, musician and photographer Ani Saunders is showing her first photography exhibition 'Cardiff to the See' of monochrome images featuring the architecture and streets of Cardiff.

The new Philip Jones Griffiths exhibition at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is an important event not just for Wales but for the wider photographic world. Ffoton Wales were delighted to attend the opening and speak with the people responsible for bringing it to fruition.

The merger back in 2013 of the University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport to form the new University of South Wales is only now seeing changes made to the Photography courses previously offered by the separate institutions. We spoke with Geraint Cunnick, the Academic Manager for photography at the new University about the future courses in photography that will be offered.

The Creative Industries Career Day at Museum Wales, Cardiff. Ffoton was there to capture the panel discussion and talk with educators about photography courses in South Wales.

Returning to the Wales Millennium Centre for his new exhibition of Valleys work 'Something Must Be Done', Jon Pountney is aiming to poke and prod people's perceptions of the modern-day South Wales Valleys and "...depict an area at the mercy of history, neglect, tradition and misplaced nostalgia".

The mesmerising, talented and very humble Peter Jones gave a fascinating talk on his life and work at 3rd Floor Gallery in Cardiff where a selection of his work is currently on show.

An adventurous first project for photography enthusiast Glenn Gameson-Burrows after picking up a camera only a year ago!

It was a wet and windy Sunday evening for the opening of night 'Standing Still' - an exhibition of monochrome film work by two Ukrainian fine art photographers, Sergiy Lebedynskyy and Alexey Ostrovskiy, and curated by The Kickplate Project.