Stuart Murdoch, Photographer; Picture Maker; Geek!
About, Stuart Murdoch.
Hi, I'm Stuart Murdoch, [Artist | Picture maker | Publisher | Apple-Geek], I specialise in all forms of creative image construction/manipulation using still cameras. I can also hand print your negatives on silver gelatin paper, contact me for details, I offer 3 levels of service for this.
Read my CV for more detailed information if you are considering giving me a job, or read my creative auto-biography. Contact me if you have an enquiry?
Art/Photography
As a visual artist I create for a variety of mediums, some online some more visceral and tactile. Visit my online portfolio/gallery to see some examples of the imagery I make. Those online platforms include, flickr.com, instagram.com, Tumblr.com [with several sub-Tumblrs that explore several ideas, where I live , time at home and time at work, this project ended in 2020; to name a few]. My online activities include blogging of course, in 2020 I began self hosting a wordpress blog.
My early career in the fine arts began by making fine silver gelatin prints. Currently I focus on any and all forms of image construction using any photographic device at hand. I completed a Master of Arts, by coursework in 2002. The summary of which, can be downloaded and read. The whole thing as an object, lives in the RMIT library and was a comparison between silver gelatin and inkjet technologies of the era.
These days my list of chosen tools includes, black and white film of all formats from 35m to 5x4 inches. I use Colour film, Polaroid® materials and cameras, digital and toy cameras. These are some of the means of creative image construction and exploration I employ. I have been toying with mobile phone cameras since they appeared on the market. A list of cameras include a Nokia then a Sony Ericsson K700i followed by a k610i then a Sony Ericcson C902, and now iPhones I upload a lot of my images to flickr, as well as tumblr. Each of these spaces is an ongoing series of experimental online permanent exhibitions. Flickr which turns 20 in 2024 has become an ingrained part of my work flow and almost the sole reason I make digital pictures. I administer over 70 groups and post anywhere between 1 and 5 pictures a week. My flickr stream, is tightly curated. Each picture is chosen based on some editing idea, from the simple like colour or shape to the conceptual
I also make books.
Publishing
I have been tinkering with web publishing now since 1995/6. I once dreamt of becoming a fully fledged web designer or coder. My foray into the realm of web publishing had several driving factors behind it. The explosion into the public's awareness of the system itself. My becoming more conversant with computers. The reading of the book creating killer web sites. Lastly my own personal belief in the power of the web to empower both self expression and ‘freedom of speech.’ Ultimately though I guess I am a somewhat frustrated, desktop publisher/publisher. The early 21st century medium of the world wide web, allows me to be my own publisher of materials and content. Content I produce or I have found on my journeys of picture making, research and publishing. Combined with print on demand services means there is many ways for me to get my work out in the real world. Zines have become a recent and interesting activity, for me.
I co-edited, a magazine called Refractions. ISSN 2201-6066 until 2014. I started and maintain a website called altfotonet.org, publishing 3 issues.
Web 2.0
I'm on all the current crop of social media tools as well, which means I'm really stretching myself thin these days. Look hard enough if you know me; I'm not hard to find.
Personal Life?
I live with my wife and two Devon Rex Kittens in Naarm/Melbourne's inner west suburb of Sunshine, I enjoy photographing the urban landscape of the west and Melbourne generally. Over the years I have become more interested in Sunshine's history. I am working on a long form project photographing it.
My wife and I travel on occasion too.
Last update? 25.05.24