The great documentary about William Eggleston is available for free, via Snag Films. (via a photo editor)

It’s rare to come across an interview like this, where the questions and the photographer’s responses push past pure PR and begin to reach a deeper understanding about an artist and their work. Recent Yale graduate Richard Mosse, whose plane project Airside might be familiar, speaks with BLDGBLOG about his latest project, photographing how the US has appropriated Saddam Hussein’s palaces.

Thanks to Joerg Colberg for the tip.

News from Nicole Akstein about an upcoming show from her students at the Center for Pan-Asian Community Services.

“The students that I’ve been helping teach photography to these past three months are finally finished and we are having a show at Eyedrum showcasing the kids’ work! The photographs are all for sale and purchases go toward the non-profit, Center for Pan-Asian Community Services (CPACS) that is responsible for this amazing photography program!”

Check out TIME’s presentation “Sight Unseen” of photos from blind photographers.

Foto Povera 5: Atlanta, curated by Yannick Vigouroux, will open on June 4th at Opal Gallery in Little 5 Points. Reception on the 4th from 6-9pm.

“This informal collective of French and Atlanta-based artists brings together talented photographers who take an alternative approach to their medium by using a variety of of non-traditional and “toy cameras” such as sténopé, Holga, Diana, and Brownie box. The images on display represent a unique translation of photography with cameras that are often referred to as “primitive” in the modern world of digital technology. By embracing the constraints of these non-traditional cameras, they aim to capture a precariousness and spontaneity that they believe to be much greater than the resulting image.”

Participating artists include: Bernard Plossu, Yannick Vigouroux, Driss Aroussi, Candido Baldacchino, Jean-André Bertozzi, Daniel Challe, Didier Cholodnicki, Bruno Debon, Christophe Mauberret, Jean-Luc Paillé, Caroll’ Planque, Yannick Vigouroux, Kathleen Kondilas, Darrin Melton, Otto Kitchens, Constance Lewis, Pierryl Peytavi, Xavier Martel, Catherine Merdy, Philippe Calandre, Benoît Gehane and Marion Delage de Luget.

© Bruno Debron

Judy Pishneri will be leading a group (or two!) taking part in the Worldwide Photowalk on July 18th. If you like shooting with other folks and meeting new people, head over to the photowalk site for more info. There are three walks currently organized for Atlanta (1, 2, 3). The Worldwide Photowalk is a creation of Photoshop guru Scott Kelby. Please let us know of other area walks in the comments!

Erin Wallace, a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta, was working on a portrait project for school this weekend on Marietta St. Great to see someone out on the street, shooting with a 4×5 and real film!

Today’s New York Times has an article about the efforts to purchase Polaroid. Plus, there’s a great multimedia piece where five photographers talk about their affection for the format.

It’s the last week at Kiang Gallery of Meng Jin’s photographs of chandeliers inside Chinese gov’t buildings. The exhibition’s called “Every Room is Illuminated“, and there’s a closing reception next Friday, May 29th, 7pm.

Can’t wait to see what Kiang Gallery’s planning for the festival in October!

© Meng Jin / Kiang Gallery

Allen Cooley’s graduate exhibition of portraits called “Normal” will be at Gallery Stokes in Castleberry this Friday, and will be up for a week.

Cooley, on his work:

“Our culture is constantly evolving and continually improving, but I am disheartened by the rare and brief glimpses of this evolution that are typically available to the mainstream consciousness. I’m tired of imagery that simply perpetuates the extremes of African Americans, either to sell a high-class, pretentious way of life, or to promote pity for poor, ignorant, subservient Negroes who’ve had it hard. I’m neither of those two. I’m intelligent, not ostentatious, and I’ve had it hard, but refuse to allow those hard times to define me. I understand that both the upper and lower echelons do exist, but people like me exist as well.”

Ryan Nabulsi, a recent SCAD graduate, explores the “dying” art of the Polaroid in his show opening this weekend at Mint Gallery.

NYT has an article today “Tight Times Loosen Creativity” which speaks to some of the pressures that artists are experiencing during The New Situation.

“But in the Portland area, Ms. Fallon said, there seems to be a kind of artistic renaissance under way as various groups, like photography cooperatives and drawing collectives, form to connect creative professionals with one another.”

You’re subscribed to the ACP mailing list, right? If not, here’s some great news about KEH, who are hosting a camera buying event on May 29th and 30th. A percentage of the event will be donated to ACP!

Checkout KEH’s Facebook event page for all the details:

An artist talk from Matt Haffner about his exhibition “Dreams of a Sleeping Giant” at MOCA GA, this Wednesday, May 20th, at 7pm. Reception at 6:30.

ACP’s incredible officemates The Showcase School of Photography are opening-up submissions for SHOTS 09, their annual photo competition. Laura Noel and Manuel Llaneras will be judging.

“Our annual student competition is just around the corner. See attached flyer that will go to all students via email tomorrow. Cards, posters and flyers will be on our counters next week. Please encourage students to submit their best work to us (as many as two images via email) by August 27th. New judges are Laura Noel and Manuel Llaneras! Exhibit will hang in conjunction with ACP in October with an opening reception on October 9th.”