Childhood Horizons

                                                

Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they ever find? Samual Johnson [1780]

Mike O’Toole’s interest lies in using photography to make comment about the changing horizons of childhood . In this series children are the subjects of his voyeuristic observations or willing participants in some kind of performance. Part social commentary,part fiction, part autobiography, O’Toole’s work plays with the underlying tension and the culture of fear that surrounds childhood. “Never have children been more restrained and watched-over than today”says O’Toole.
(Short version)

PhotoParley Dublin

Photoparley
 Photoparley Dublin, is a real place where Photographers who are serious about their photography can meet to discuss and debate issues relating to their own work and gain valuable feedback and support from others.The first meeting was this week and the energy and ideas were flowing,it was fantastic.

Here is how Photoparley will work
One evening ,six times a year, eight Irish based photographers will meet to show our current work in progress,to six other Photographers plus two other non photographers, such as a filmmaker, a storyteller, artist or curator or graphic designer to discuss their project and any issues relating to the development of those projects.
http://photoparleydublin.blogspot.com/2010/04/revolution-no9.html

Horizons of childhood

Pool image

I shot this the other day over at Chris and Joe's house.
I love it when i just see something that interests me and I make an image like this .
Pictures like this seem to come out of nothing,just a few moments of seeing and capturing it so it looks like one of mine.

Hazel is the model.

The Exploding school

Ok, Its back to my project. Being outside nosing around as a photographer,one place leads you to another ,only this time it was through reading and then research on the internet, that I found out about this idea of the exploding school.
Inspired by the ideas put forward in the 1960s book Streetworks,the exploding school,is an inspiring and challenging idea
To to focus on the environmental education of the non-academic urban child. Having noticed a recent upsurge in public interest in town and country planning and the physical environment, the two Authors of the book Streetworks set about rethinking environmental education.
My own project on children and free play etc has brought me into contact with many excellent writers on Children's issues
and the environment from the physiological to the psychological aspects of the connection between the space and the child's
Use of that space and the child's agency with how to best use the little unscheduled time available to them today.
I guess I want to make a connection between the way the photo project is constructed and the methods of research now via the internet for a photographer and how people use whatever means available to imagine and enter some place of mystery and imagination. The desire for wonder and fantasy are I believe a need as deep as belonging.

In fact ancient people had much more respect for the otherworld and i think when we over schedule and over prescribe
Things to our children we take away some important and deeper interconnection between our self and our soul or spirit.

Portfolio Workshop By Mike O'Toole

This is the third Annual talk to graduating students at IADT about putting together
their portfolios. The workshop and discussion will focus on everything from various ways of presentation, to marketing and promotion, for commercial and fine Artists.A number of Photographers and Artists portfolios will be on display for discussion.
The talk will include issues such as finding your direction and what a powerful portfolio can do for your career.

New Work