Anyone in New York in the coming months should consider stopping by The International Center of Photography for their exhibition of new Japanese photography and video. Entitled "Heavy Light: Recent Photography and Video from Japan", the show presents a range of work from Japanese photographers who have come of age since the end of the bubble economy in the late 1990s.

Here's how the ICP's website describes the exhibition:

"Heavy Light: Recent Photography and Video from Japan will present the exciting and highly individualistic work of a new generation of Japanese artists who have come of age following the Asian economic crash of 1990. For the last several years, China has been the focus of attention for contemporary Asian art, while the remarkable and distinctive younger generation of Japanese artists who are working today has been largely ignored. This ICP exhibition will be the first major U.S. presentation of contemporary photo-based artwork from Japan in over ten years. Heavy Light will present the work of thirteen artists and will fill most of the ICP gallery space. The exhibition will include both photographs and video, many of which are large and dramatic pieces."

While the show has received mixed reviews (Roberta Smith of the New York Times described the exhibition as "... just average, or a little less, by the center’s own standards.") any criticism has been directed more at the way in which the show was organized, and less at the work itself. It remains an excellent opportunity to chart where Japanese photography has been in recent years, and where its headed in the near future.

The show runs until the 7th September.

Many of the images can be purchased as prints by clicking on the shopping basket icon in the frame of each photograph. For now I'm accepting both Paypal orders as well as those made by email.

From time to time I'll update the site adding new galleries and other features. Suggestions welcome!

And dedicated readers of this blog needn't fear - I'll continue to post updates and the best of my photography will then find its way to the new site.

Every year, the World Press Photo organization awards prizes for great photojournalism. It is claimed that their annual photo contest is the largest and most prestigious of its kind anywhere in the world. Following the announcement of the winners, the images go on display in an exhibition which tours a number of major cities.

From now until the 10th August, the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography is playing host to the show.

As you would expect, the quality of this year's winners is stunning. I'm particularly impressed with Brent Stirton's photo (above) which shows rangers removing the body of a mountain gorilla found shot by poachers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then there's Platon's portrait of Vladimir Putin which graced the cover of Time magazine. Whether its true or not, one gets the feeling that Putin isn't the easiest of portrait subjects.

You'll find more information on the Tokyo exhibition here (currently only in Japanese).

Moriyama is one of the best known Japanese photographers of the post-war era. His grainy black and white images of mangy animals, outstretched limbs and faded street posters are voyeuristic and often confronting. While many will cite Warhol's influence, Moriyama's photographs remind me of Weegee (but intellectually superior – no hustler mixed in with that bravado).

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography is located in Meguro-ku, not far from Ebisu station. You'll find directions to the museum here.