‘Impossible’ Interview with Kate Bellm
We’re delighted to be working closer with The Impossible Project team as we continue to branch out and expand our reach with all things related to mobile photography. Analog post-processing of mobile images is becoming more and more popular and we’re going to make sure our readers are fully briefed on this very exciting development.
The Impossible Project is in many ways leading the way, but there is also a growing community of mobile artists and photographers experimenting with other analog post processing techniques in an attempt to make their mobile images stand out even more, in galleries, magazines and the like and we have viewed some outstanding images and techniques.
A good deal of my formal photographic training (many years ago) was spent in a huge college darkroom and it is an area that I’ve always enjoyed, I think you will too. I also had a very close working relationship with Polaroid built up through my years as Technical Editor for various UK photography print magazines/titles.
Today we are publishing the eleventh of a series of ‘Impossible’ articles, this time with Kate Bellm a renowned English fashion and portrait photographer whose work is featured in many major international magazines. She lives with her boyfriend Edgar but “we don’t have a permanent home… more on the nomadic trail.” Right now, they’re in Topanga Canyon, in California, but they’re already planning to head for Deia, on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Kate Bellm
How long have you been shooting Polaroid/Impossible film?
Ever since I can remember! I’ve had polas all over my walls since I was a teenager.
What cameras do you use?
I use 600 because I love a good flash [laughs]. I also use SX-70 for landscapes and natural light.
Image – ©Kate Bellm
Where do you shoot most often?
The 600 is easier for me to travel with and I shoot on it everywhere! I lo-o-ove the Special Edition Color 600 Color Frames film. It’s all I’m shooting on right now.
How would you describe your work?
My work is all about youth, freedom, weirdos and colour. I’m inspired by everyone around me and all the places I travel. Life is inspirational!
Image – ©Kate Bellm
Tell us a little about the four works you have chosen as your favourites?
The first one is my friend Margo at Aalvation Mountain. She climbed to the top in 4-inch-heel hooker boots and we got this pola’ as a result. The next was on a fashion shooting in England and my friend Aminah Slor drew the graphic over the shot for me. The frame got really destroyed and I love it. The next 2 are also a collaboration: my boyfriend Edgar drew on these pictures of Vita.
Do you have any helpful creative techniques or advice you would like to share?
I think Impossible shots are a gift! I use them for sketchbooks, making art and, best of all, as presents and mementos for all the people I shoot and hang out with.
Image – ©Kate Bellm
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions/publications?
Yeah! My most recent show opened on 3rd April at Pavlov’s Dog gallery in Berlin.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Neil Krug, Ed Tempelton, Helmut Newton, and Purienne.
Image – ©Kate Bellm
What are you hoping for from Impossible during the next year?
More artist films! I love all the weird films you come out with. Maybe some kaleidoscope lenses?
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter, creator of the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website— TheAppWhisperer.com— TheAppWhisperer platform has been a pivotal cyberspace for mobile artists of all abilities to learn about, to explore, to celebrate and to share mobile artworks. Joanne’s compassion, inclusivity, and humility are hallmarks in all that she does, and is particularly evident in the platform she has built. In her words, “We all have the potential to remove ourselves from the centre of any circle and to expand a sphere of compassion outward; to include everyone interested in mobile art, ensuring every artist is within reach”, she has said. Promotion of mobile artists and the art form as a primary medium in today’s art world, has become her life’s focus. She has presented lectures bolstering mobile artists and their art from as far away as the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea to closer to her home in the UK at Focus on Imaging. Her experience as a jurist for mobile art competitions includes: Portugal, Canada, US, S Korea, UK and Italy. And her travels pioneering the breadth of mobile art includes key events in: Frankfurt, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Paris, Brazil, London. Pioneering the world’s first mobile art online gallery - TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com has extended her reach even further, shipping from London, UK to clients in the US, Europe and The Far East to a global group of collectors looking for exclusive art to hang in their homes and offices. The online gallery specialises in prints for discerning collectors of unique, previously unseen signed limited edition art. Her journey towards becoming The App Whisperer, includes (but is not limited to) working for a paparazzi photo agency for several years and as a deputy editor for a photo print magazine. Her own freelance photographic journalistic work is also widely acclaimed. She has been published extensively both within the UK and the US in national and international titles. These include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Popular Photography & Imaging, dpreview, NikonPro, Which? and more recently with the BBC as a Contributor, Columnist at Vogue Italia and Contributing Editor at LensCulture. Her professional photography has also been widely exhibited throughout Europe, including Italy, Portugal and the UK. She is currently writing several books, all related to mobile art and is always open to requests for new commissions for either writing or photography projects or a combination of both. Please contact her at: [email protected]
