Issue 3 Editorial

The Changing Chicago project commissioned 33 photographers to document different characteristics of their city in the late 1980’s. It was timed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of photography and the 50th anniversary of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) documentary project. The FSA project was an iconic moment in America photographic history which resulted in many of the famous photographs of the depression era by (among others) Dorothea Lang and Walker Evans. The Changing Chicago project could be viewed as a descendant of the famous FSA project. It was initiated and funded by Jack Jaffe. He was an unlikely patron, but after selling his successful car repair business he devoted time and resources to his passion: photography. His enthused all the Chicago area Museums to become involved and the final 33 photographers were selected for their artistry – and many who were already involved in long-term, Chicago area photo projects. Sister Maxima and ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ Frankfort, 1988 © Lloyd De Grane At Backyard, we feel incredibly privileged that the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago (MoCP) has granted us permission to reproduce over 100 photographs from the Changing Chicago project. This landmark piece of work represents Chicago … Read More

Posted in Editorial, November 2013 | Leave a comment

Pop-Up Issue – World Photo London

© David Parker // Watford Market On Sunday 29th April, Backyard Magazine teamed up with the World Photography Organisation to curate and produce a special pop-up issue. This was just one of the many events held during World Photo London, as part of the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. With the help of guest curators Man Chueng, Jonathan Goldberg and Andy Preston, a number of invited contributors became part of the process and voted, debated and negotiated which projects should feature in the special edition. With one or two exceptions there was a general consensus – but as always, the editor gets the final say! We are really excited to be presenting all of this work (including some so new the ink has barely dried!) and to have discovered projects which Backyard will return to in the future. Thanks to everyone who submitted work, who came along to our pop-up event and to the WPO for hosting Backyard at Somerset House.

Posted in Editorial, WPO 2012 | Leave a comment

Issue 2 – Queensland

Welcome to the second issue of Backyard, an online photography magazine. Backyard showcases the work of photographers who love to explore and capture their neighbourhoods. After a fantastic response to our inaugural London issue we’re now visiting Queensland, Australia. This issue has been curated by Backyard co-founder Mark Burton and Queensland photographer Man Cheung, who is currently based in London. We’ve deliberately stayed away from the typical stereotype of kangaroos, sun, surf and beaches. Queensland might be a relatively new state in a new country, but it’s a much more complex place than the mirage created by the tourist industry and beer commercials. In fact, the theme that has emerged from this issue is one of history. In part, this is because the majority of the people portrayed are from an older generation. However, after looking at the work in this issue we hope you will have seen ‘history’ portrayed in different ways. There is the rich sense of history migrants bring from their homeland; there are the personal and familial histories of Queenslanders; there is an international perspective with a look back to the Second World War and there is of course the ancient (and contemporary) history of the … Read More

Posted in April 2012, Editorial | Leave a comment

Issue 1

Welcome to the first issue of Backyard, an online photography magazine. Backyard features and showcases the work of photographers who love to explore and capture their neighbourhoods. For the first issue we’ve chosen to keep it really close to home and have selected work based in and around London. Our first issue has been curated by photographer and co-founder of Backyard, Mark Burton, who is a passionate supporter of local and community-based photography projects. Issue One features fantastic work from Jonathan Goldberg, Katherine Green, George Plemper, David Solomons, Paul Tucker and Graeme Webb. Backyard will focus on projects close to a photographer’s heart and home. We’ll be looking at photography with an international flavour, but by the photographers and artists who live and work there. Next year we’re planning an Australian issue of Backyard and are really excited that artist and photographer Will May has already agreed to curate an American issue.  

Posted in Editorial, November 2011 | Leave a comment