tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22176230031152299342011-12-12T17:25:13.476ZI hate people who use "musings or ramblings" in a blog description.Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.comBlogger361100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-69323765663110299312011-12-07T18:21:00.002Z2011-12-07T18:44:53.864Z

I had an idea of doing an Xmas themed bluesy post thing, but a) that'd be too miserable and b) plenty of days for that yet. Instead I'll leave you with a few more tracks I've been enjoying recently of the rare and retro variety...900 Miles - Billy MermanThis was a track I happened upon on one of those generic eBay searches you do to fill time now and again. Typing in 'mod r&b' straight away led

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-65717421437984063242011-12-07T18:14:00.002Z2011-12-07T18:19:42.665Z

I recently stumbled upon these images of Winston Churchill painting. Really quite odd seeing him in casual attire and relaxing as opposed to seeing him as the suited, inspirational political power house he really was. Especially since very little is documented about him post war. The images themselves seem colourised to me, giving them a very surreal, dreamy, almost painting like quality. From

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-24762609447154156692011-12-07T16:45:00.005Z2011-12-07T17:23:05.970Z

Local Oswestry band, The Phantom Runners allowed me to photograph them at what was probably one of the best small gigs I've ever attended, and I genuinely wished I could get involved with the crowd as opposed to dodging between them to get the right shots! With their gig count barely in double figures, it was surprising to see every attendee in the room passionately singing along.The Phantom

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-5910638284880979422011-11-10T17:00:00.002Z2011-11-10T17:07:36.248Z

Well after 20 years of being alive and 5 of those spent promising that I would never get Twitter, guess what...Please follow and tell your friends! Click Here

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-46569385893639673802011-08-12T01:11:00.003+01:002011-08-15T13:31:48.560+01:00

...Or as they call it in Manchester: "Breakfast."

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-90220304708678546512011-06-18T17:53:00.002+01:002011-06-18T18:04:12.601+01:00

Upon a slightly obsessive evening of Googling Kubricks photographs (everyone's seen the movies, it's nice to see the epic still image stuff he knocked up from time to time), I was rather delighted to have Stumbled across a little known set of images taken by him on his travels in Chicago in the wonderful year of 1949. (Don't know why it's wonderful, it just rolls of the tongue well.)The style

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-15511689401495856902011-05-30T16:12:00.001+01:002011-05-30T16:12:56.612+01:00

no message

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-20648795879697790562011-05-20T05:34:00.002+01:002011-05-24T13:33:44.714+01:00

This is how happy I look when I haven't had coffee.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-54889883431486337972011-05-14T01:51:00.003+01:002011-05-16T17:04:13.197+01:00

Yup, once again that time where I inexplicably upload a selection of tracks on an artistic blog. Music's art right? Is it because I genuinely want to share the music with you? Or is it because I just want to bulk up the blog a bit with some seemingly worth while content? I'll let you decide...1. I Don't Play - Little WalterI was shown this literally just a couple of days ago by a chap called

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-17987889368542726672011-05-14T01:05:00.006+01:002011-05-14T01:41:13.828+01:00

As a regular attendee of the excellent Substance events held in and around Oswestry, I think it'd only be right to attend the final one featuring two cracking bands, namely The Taste (great Charlatans-esque band, gonna be pretty big I reckon) with modern day Manc Punk Rockers, Twisted Wheel, famed for supporting Oasis, Paul Weller and other such names on the 'cool' laddish circuit. Both provided

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-39315635904207938262011-05-11T21:26:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:46:27.738+01:00

More fannying about with the iPhone apps in the woods.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-16529677818784527322011-05-11T02:43:00.002+01:002011-05-11T03:21:43.393+01:00

So often is it that we recognise so many immensely famous photographs and remain criminally unaware of the artistic mastermind that created them in the first place. Whilst some others may look at a certain photo and see Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Theolonious Monk amongst others, I see an encapsulation of a golden era gloriously epitomized by Herman Leonard.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-88353965796550408492011-04-06T15:51:00.001+01:002011-04-06T15:52:37.099+01:00

Found on the depths of the internet, absolutely brilliant both design wise and content wise.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-26322058113754507512011-04-05T20:03:00.002+01:002011-04-05T20:14:44.862+01:00

BBCX365 is a project by American designer Johnny Selman which aims to design iconic posters based on the key news headline of the day, as a comment about how out of touch America actually is with foreign affairs. Many designers couldn't come up with designs this good in a month, let alone a few hours. Not a great deal to say other than that, other than it being an utterly inspiring concept which

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-68616307654641604812011-03-28T12:58:00.003+01:002011-03-28T13:05:49.485+01:00

Sometimes if you get a crap record, then more often than not you can get enough satisfaction out of the nice arty little label in the middle (if you're weird) which don't seem to be confined to one style, but rather too many with all many of eras, fonts, colours and graphics. Centre of attention is a new website which will hopefully keep adding labels for my personal joy. Nothing more joyous than

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-44173402804465721162011-03-25T09:21:00.001Z2011-03-25T09:22:44.976Z

I challenge you not to fall in love.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-41577250868557370642011-03-21T12:13:00.004Z2011-03-21T20:29:04.630Z

I've just got hold of Spotify, and deleted Facebook so have had a field day on the old record listening and shopping. Or field week, is that a phrase? It is now. As expected, lots of piano, lots of shouty black people and lots of groovy rhythms. I'm addicted what can I say? Better than spending my hours playing Farmville anyway. I'd be awful with digital crops. Apologies in advance if this list

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-14782772157575639582011-03-19T14:16:00.002Z2011-03-19T14:25:14.926Z

If destroying your 2 year old's optimism is high on your agenda, make sure to teach them the alphabet using these handy flash cards which all form to make a cute poem!http://www.plastic-castle.com/tom/tinies.htm

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-27898835771520145302011-03-19T12:20:00.002Z2011-03-19T13:09:45.929Z

Now flashmobs are scary enough as they are; imagine going through your everyday, normal on-the-way to work business and suddenly 1,500 people deciding to spontaneously start break dancing and singing a well rehearsed medley of the hits of Abba as you're queueing for a coffee? A surreal dream in itself. Now go ahead and turn that dream into the worst nightmare of your life and you'll get something

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-91337676912704768132011-03-17T12:21:00.003Z2011-03-17T12:30:08.924Z

Just thought I'd share a great imageblog with you entitled 'the impossible cool.' A completely straightforward, unpretentious no frills take on the often overlooked style and cultural icons of by gone eras. Only featuring images and the odd quote now and again. Less is more. Inevitably when iconic people are involved, inspirational portraiture soon arrives in abundance. Get stuck in. http://

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-42778956750602202062011-03-15T05:53:00.002Z2011-03-15T15:22:45.117Z

Quiet night at work. Might as well get a bit of vanity out of the way so I can sleep peacefully. Taken with the iPhone's Pictureshow app. Best photography app out there. Definitely recommend it. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pictureshow/id324243655?mt=8

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-9006341254543738862011-03-11T14:16:00.007Z2011-03-11T15:09:55.363Z

I've always found something mildly disturbing about adverts, even as a kid. It might be the freaky concept of the product itself, the vomit inducing, psychedelic visuals or the just downright terrifying , unnatural people that are probably kept in a padded cell until Hasbro take them out of storage for day release in order to do a campaign purely to flog a few more packs of Uno cards. 1. Baby

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-37354592911008974652011-03-06T19:56:00.000Z2011-03-07T09:49:34.045Z

Simply put; cool music, made by cool musicians, with even cooler graphic designers. In other words, right up my street. Great use of geometry, block colours and most importantly, typography. Using a great deal of clashing elements that shouldn't work, but it was the swingin' sixties, so it just did. Plus it's Brazilian. Those cat's were mental.A lot of it is remarkably reminiscent of cutting edge

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-91422423473059589712011-03-04T23:55:00.000Z2011-03-05T01:21:50.995Z

I love old music (pre 1965) and new music that's been produced like old music. There's something about the production which speaks to you. A sax solo will come out of nowhere and kick you firmly between the legs. A hammond organ will snake it's way between the beats and make you want to dance all night. A groovy bassline will infect your body for days, making you snap your fingers spontaneously

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-39957505302905541842011-03-04T18:50:00.001Z2011-03-04T18:51:16.190Z

Fisheye lenses are probably the greatest thing on earth. Hold the Where's Wally jokes.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-31800292455135816222011-03-04T17:37:00.001Z2011-03-04T18:59:25.517Z

Now it's not often I consider delving into the world of film photography. Let's be honest, you only get 28 shots per shoot, you can't check your photos afterwards, and when all the kerfuffle's over, you have to walk all the way to Boots to get them developed. That's all a bit dull isn't it?Anthony Crook is one such photographer who has particularly inspired me with his film style, shooting high

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-46867400857071468102011-02-23T16:49:00.001Z2011-02-23T16:54:48.977Z

The famous chair image has now been used by both Sky Sports and a brewery in Belgium to advertise their beers.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-85044565967175173982011-02-23T16:31:00.000Z2011-02-23T16:47:58.616Z

Photo included in a brilliant Steampunk manipulation for an independent project.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-37492442937737433552011-02-22T21:16:00.000Z2011-02-23T17:09:43.793Z

Pictures speak louder than words, so if I post lots of pictures, that's like, well loud. Nat Winkelstein photographed my favourite band, The Velvet Underground (I'm a pretentious so and so who clearly loves leather and heroin). His images have the aforementioned murky and psychedelic feel. Technically they're not brilliant, however they sublimely convey the friendships and innovation of the band.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-28345074148862695802011-02-22T17:14:00.000Z2011-02-22T17:45:01.384Z

Now as I aspire to be a world renowned musical photographer hoping to have work published in high places, it helps to be inspired by a world renowned musical photographer who has work published in high places. (And the NME, but nobody's perfect.) That person happens to be Lawrence Watson, who's photography I was instantly drawn into after flicking through the sleeve notes of Oasis' Don't Believe

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-86640144551741753322011-02-22T12:41:00.000Z2011-02-22T12:42:27.481Z

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-57659323010750702782011-02-21T21:48:00.000Z2011-02-21T22:12:16.766Z

I've actually got no inspiration/motivation to write a cutting edge essay on the finer sides of Russian constructivist photography of the mid 1930's, so here's a selection of images taken with my iPhone with various applications. (I refuse to use the word app, sorry. I just do.) And yes I've gone completely against my principles and used lomo apps (I lied.) I'm such a high street hipster.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-43437795088897837362011-02-16T16:05:00.000Z2011-02-16T16:45:15.885Z

Those who know me will know that I love Steve McQueen. Those who don't know me will have just read that and now know that I love Steve McQueen. I envy the style, the talent, the 300 quid shades, the cars, but even more, I envy the photographer who got to follow him for 12 months documenting his lifestyle; John Dominis. John Dominis specialised in a fly on the wall documentary style, working for

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-7587431595507957762011-02-16T14:16:00.000Z2011-02-16T14:42:22.272Z

Recently a chap, who I shall refer to only as "Louis" (because that's his name, he's not a secret agent or anything) required some shots for inclusion in his acting/model portfolio. Being inspired by the sharp styling's and attitudes of the 1950's, and particularly James Dean, he wanted me to achieve a similar feel to the famous Dennis Stock shots (left) with a modern, almost fashionable twist.

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-26826968344742113202011-02-02T01:41:00.000Z2011-02-02T02:20:50.101Z

Well it's been a long time coming, linking this. So I'm sorry. If you don't read it, never mind eh? More important things to worry about, like giving to charity and walking the dog. Recently (we'll pretend it was done this week and not last August) I was interviewed by Jimmy Jazz, an aspiring blogger, natty dresser (if you like that sort of thing) and conniseur of fine alcoholic beverages. He's a

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2217623003115229934.post-13334086882644573892010-07-29T16:59:00.000+01:002011-02-02T01:37:10.412Z

Woah. Hang on a second. You didn't really think this site would be ready just yet did you? You're probably one of those sly "in the know types" getting into all things decent before "the masses" cotton on. I know your type. Silly haircuts, skin tight jeans and the like. Not on really is it?Any how, my site will be up and running as soon as my designer shifts his backside and starts sorting things

Jonny Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03719321594891653343noreply@blogger.com0