I'm happy to announce that I have a shiny new website.It can be found here: www.billymacrae.com(This blog will be integrated into the main site soon.)If you would like to contact me, here is my main e-mail:billy.macrae.online@gmail.com Read Full Story
FEATURED PROJECT - BIG SMOKE COLOUR SERIESThis is my first colour series in London. It is a further attempt to discuss life in the capital, following on from the black and white series 'Big smoke diary'.I am trying to articulate genuine feelings about what it feels like to live here- the good bits, the awful bits, and the plain ugly bits. Above: UK, London. Outside Foxtons estate agents in Islington. 2009Above: UK, London. Walking the dog in Islington. 2009.Above: UK, London. Outside a pub in... Read Full Story
OK, I know, I don't often do projects that aren't pure documentary shots....But I've been a fan of Dizraeli for too long to remember really, and I really relate to what he says in his lyrics.In fact, what he commits to CD, I try and commit to film... or something like that.So it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.For those of you who don't know Dizraeli, he's an urban poet/ wordsmith/ rhyme splurger of the very highest order, who also does a nice sideline in co-writing mind-mashingly wick... Read Full Story
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FEATURED PROJECT 1 - 'MOMENTS OF PROTEST'These images form an extract from the project 'moments of protest', documenting political activist communities in London. So far have concentrated mainly on 'left-wing' activism.My interest in activism began in India, with my first major project in 2006 / 7 on the 'Narmada Bachao Andolan' activist community in central India. On my return from India, I began to turn my attention to similar communities here in Lon... Read Full Story
These images were all shot during 'Refugee Week' in London, June 2009.They constitute part of a longer project I'm attempting about various aspects of life as a refugee here in London in 2009.For extended text, please see below the images.(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)(Above: 'Celebrating sanctuary' refugee festival, South Bank 2009. Visitors looking at photo display about refugees. )(Above: 'Celebrating sanctuary' refugee festival, South Bank 2009. Visitors looking at photo display about refug... Read Full Story
(Exhibited under the working title 'Moments of protest' in 2008 + 2009.)-Galleries that have shown this project: R O O M gallery London, Cordy House gallery ('behind the shutters'), Emporium gallery, Bristol.-Images from this project featured in: Time Out, Urban Velo, Venue, British Journal of Photography (twice), Digital Journalist.This project centers around activist culture in London, the capital city of the UK.I am magnetically drawn to explore grassroots culture in my own city, in a time... Read Full Story
This is an extract from a photo-story shot just last week, documenting an exhibition of contemporary art and illustration, located in the crypt of St Pancras Church, North London.Curated by artist Tom G Adriani -who also featured in the show along with many other artists gathered together by Adriani over the last year for the event- the feel of the show was extremely eery, almost gothic in feel -yet un-mistakably tinged with very black, urban humour.The works seemed to lurk in the darkened sp... Read Full Story
Ongoing series of street-photographs from London, the capital city of the UK.The UK has the highest advertising budget per person in Europe. When walking the streets of our capital city, I feel claustrophobic, blasted from all angles by banal imagery and irritating messages... yet somehow the adverts have a rhythm of their own, and a hypnotic attraction akin to an arcade game.This project is my attempt to create a dialogue with the advertisements that pester me. It is part of a larger projec... Read Full Story
This series takes as its subject matter 'activist' culture, which appears in a kaleidoscope of forms, daily in contemporary London.My aim is to explore what motivates people in the capital to get involved with activism in their spare time.Why would someone feel compelled to take to the streets in passionate protest, in a city whose citizens have everything they appear to need?And what do these protests say about the UK in a global context?This project is ongoing, and will continue thr... Read Full Story
Exploring and representing the urban experience. How do people relate to each other, and to the city itself, in contemporary London?[CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.]Above: Near Canary Wharf, London's tallest building. The day of the London Marathon. 2009.Above: Recent immigrant working as a balloon seller. London Zoo. 2009.Above: Traditional Morris dancers with volunteer. Regent Street, London. 2008.Above: Fairground ride, Regent Street, London. 2008.Above: Sitting for portraits. Near Piccadi... Read Full Story
