Thursday, December 23, 2010

Some kind of miracle, talking in tongues near the Room of the Last Supper, Jerusalem

This is almost a miracle - and it is almost Christmas.

In September 2008 I witnessed American tourists as they began making strange noises with their mouths - I think this is more commonly called talking in tongues.

The tourists were one by one becoming possessed by spirits. And one by one they fell to the floor. 

We aere all in a room outside of the Room of the Last Supper, which is at King David's Tomb in Jerusalem. My guidebook does state that the Room of the Last Supper is not actually the room where Jesus and his disciples actually had the Last Supper - but this did not deter these tourists.

I thank them for allowing me to photograph a minor miracle. 

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/18131609 w=400&h=265]

Outside the Room of the Last Supper from Garry Cook on Vimeo.

A more substantial documentary essay, covering several of the world's most religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, will be produced in 2011. 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Merry Christmas photographs

This is a lovely documentary essay on what we British do at Christmas.

[vimeo 18087230 w=400 h=265]

This is Christmas from Garry Cook on Vimeo.

 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Zoom H2 audio recorder or equipment every journalist must have

My continuing quest to find the best equipment for journalists and photographers.

If you’re a serious journalist – or a photographer adding a soundtrack to your work – you need a recording device.

In fifteen years doing interviews I’ve worn out a Tandy dictaphone and three Olympus Pearl Corders (all analogue) and an Olympus DS-2300 (digital) recorder.

They all did their jobs but have two main drawbacks. Firstly, the quality of audio is so poor that it can’t be broadcast in any form and, secondly, the background noise make it very difficult to pick out words – often requiring time-consuming multiple playbacks.

The Zoom H2 is a revelation. Retailing between £110 and £150 it offers broadcast quality recording. It is used by BBC radio journalists. It was recommended to me by a man who advises and works with BBC staff.

Musicians, particularly bands, have also had great success in recording demos with the Zoom H2, utilising its multi-directional microphone system.

The quality of audio is outstanding. Unlike traditional dictaphone recorders, it does not pick up heavy background noise. Three recording levels also allow distant sounds such as crowd chanting.

Also, you have a choice of recording formats, making the machine much more versatile than the Olympus which uses its own file formats and must be converted with separate software.

The only downside to the H2 is the controls on the menu screen which are fiddly. The screen is not the easiest to navigate.

In the age of multi-platform journalism, to have the option to broadcast your audio recordings is crucial. This Zoom H2 is ideal.

NOTE: As with previous recommendations, these opinions are totally independent.

NOTE TWO: Zoom H4 is also available but costs a whole lot more.

 

 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Merry Christmas! cards Prezi presentation

Merry Christmas! cards Prezi presentationThis a presentation I did about my marvellous Merry Christmas! cards.
It was done with the presentation system Prezi.

.prezi-player { width: 440px; } .prezi-player-links { text-align: center; }

Friday, December 10, 2010

Preston students protest and sing-song

On Wednesday December 8, the students of Preston marched into the city to protest about the impending rise in tuition fees. This is what happened.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/17674990 w=400&h=265]

Preston students tuition fees protest from Garry Cook on Vimeo.

 

Thursday, December 09, 2010

GC in AG Magazine

This is the current issue of Chris Dickie's AG magazine.
It's one of the best photography magazines in the world. It's quite expensive, too. £12.50. That's British pounds. But it is good.

And this is a little piece about my lovely Merry Christmas! cards.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Merry Christmas! cards in the Lancashire Evening Post

Monday, December 6, 2010, was a special day - my first appearance on Page 3.

Sadly it was not the Daily Star and I had all my clothes on.

And here is the page:

Don't forget to buy your Christmas cards - available from this blog (see below).

You can follow the writer, Melanie Wallwork on twitter @

 

Postage options
Posted to the UK £9.00 Posted to Europe £11.00 Posted to Rest of World £13.00

Received from Russia again

As well as receiving more images from Russian girls (who I do not believe are spies) several new girls have contacted me searching for friendship and a way out of Russia.

Irina's images (Irina Timerkhanowa) are clearly stolen images and can be found elsewhere on the internet.

But it's the images of the other girls which interest me more, clearly not professionally taken and some of which show glimses of the lives behind the emails.

That said, the style of English used in the accompanying emails from these girls - and the similarity of what they say - suggests some sort of organised project which these girls are part of.

Is there a super-hub where 100 beautiful Russian women sit at desks hammering out replies to emails from Western men who are beginning to think their dreams have come true?

This is the real story. To the photos. Evgenia, Ksaniya, Marina, Mary Yana and, of course, Masha.



Ksanyia (above) Evgenia (two photos, above)   Mary (three photos, above) Marina (above) Yana (three photos, above)




















And then these are Masha (below)

Monday, December 06, 2010

Duke of Lancaster Regiment - Blackburn Homecoming

This was a march with a difference. Freezing cold, snow, delayed for an hour. But there were still thousands of people lining the streets to see the Duke of Lancaster Regiment's Homecoming parade.

I was staggered at how many people turned up. The town was rammed. The parade was delayed by over an hour because the regiment was delayed by the poor road conditions. Many people took had taken up their positions two hours before the parade started.

There was an atmosphere of pride and euphoria. It was far removed from the EDl march I witnessed in Preston a few days earlier (though EDL supporters and flags were here).

But anti-Taliban chants apart, this was not about muslims, racism or perceived racism - it was a celebration of the work of British soldiers and a thank-you for the sacrifices some have made for their country.

Seeing community gatherings like this, gathering to pay respect to others, is one of the more uplifting aspects of modern society. Makes you believe community still exists in some form in this country where too frequently people come together only for reasons of hate and exclusion.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/17524817 w=400&h=265]
Blackburn Homecoming - Duke of Lancaster Regiment from Garry Cook on Vimeo.
Wednesday December 2010 in Blackburn, Lancashire. The Duke of Lancaster regiment attended a service at Blackburn Cathedral before marching through the town.