Beyond the Frame 55/
Sandra Cattaneo Adorno in conversation, talking about the ten years since she discovered a passion for photography, aged 60. Artists’ Residencies. Free headshots for ex-federal employees in Boston, US
Colour coordinated Man with Pipe, China
It’s always pleasing when people choose their clothes with consideration for any photographers who might be visiting their home town.
In return for his generous colour coordination efforts – and for allowing me to make a photo – I shared an instant print. It’s a small token of appreciation but it goes a little way towards balancing up the exchange and is always appreciated.
Sandra Cattaneo Adorno
Brazilian street photographer Sandra Cattaneo Adorno began her photographic career in her 60s.
She’s celebrating her first decade of photography with a new book, Ten Years.
In conversation
I first became aware of Sandra via the Photo Country podcast, hosted by Rajeev Nedumaran. His interview with Sandra appears in the 50th episode.
In her conversation with Rajeev, Sandra speaks about the evolution of her passion for photography. Despite rarely making photos before her 60th birthday, she quickly developed a painterly approach to street photography. She explains that photography has helped her to slow down and pay closer attention to the world around her. I’m sure that’s an experience which readers of this newsletter will be familiar with.
It’s wonderful to be at my age, having this feeling. It’s really an amazing gift.”
— Sandra Cattaneo Adorno
Ten Years
Sandra’s book, Ten Years, is unusual in many respects. It’s printed in an accordion style, which allows the pages to be opened in different ways, revealing sequences of multiple pages.
The photographs, many of which are shown in negative, are printed with metallic gold ink, giving the images an other-worldly, ethereal look.
Ten Years is a playful, celebratory collection of images, unlike pretty much any other photo book I’ve ever seen.
Sandra’s enthusiasm is infectious. At a time of life when society generally expects people to be slowing up and winding down, the energy she clearly has for her work is inspiring.
“I really do photography for pleasure. I’m always smiling. I revert to being a child. I’m very excited about it.
— Sandra Cattaneo Adorno
Signed copies of Ten Years are only available on the Radius Books website.
Biennale Exhibition
Sandra’s images are currently being exhibited as part of the 60th Biennale in Venice, until 24 November, 2025.
The Terror of War – Update
In the previous edition I wrote about the controversy currently unfolding around Nick Ut’s photograph, often known as Napalm Girl. A film produced by Gary Knight and the VII Foundation alleges that Nick Ut did not make this photo.
I’m resisting the urge to write more about the story, because there’s little about it which is positive or encouraging.
However, there has been one interesting development…
However, there have been two interesting developments…
However, there have been three interesting developments worth sharing.
On Saturday, Dave Burnett, one of the few surviving photographers who were working alongside Nick Ut in Vietnam on the 8th of June, 1972, issued a public statement.
In his statement, Dave makes it clear what his memories of that day are.
“There was never a moment when I doubted that Nick had made that picture, and while in one of my conversations with film producer Gary Knight, he said he had proof that Nick couldn’t have taken the picture, I responded by saying, based on my recall of how Nick had run down the road, ahead of everyone else, ‘that no one BUT Nick could have taken that picture.’”
— Dave Burnett, 17 May 2025
Dave also questions the motives of the World Press Photo organisation, who have controversially removed Nick Ut’s credit from the award winning image.
“I still haven’t seen the film… but some things are very clear to me, and one of those is that in a desire to become part of the cabal which is embracing this film, World Press Photo is stumbling over its own journalistic shoes as it struggles to remain relevant and of interest in the wake of their own egregious ethical and intellectual lapses.”
— Dave Burnett, 17 May 2025
To date, the film has only been screened once, at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Further screenings are scheduled in Washington D.C. and Sheffield, UK next month but no other screenings have been announced.
Like others who are keen to understand claims made in the film, I have left a message for Gary Knight, asking if there are plans for further screenings. Gary has not responded at the time of writing.
PS – The French Association Journalisme & Photographie have published a blunt op-ed piece about the controversy, which reflects what seems to be a growing concern about the motives driving the film.
PPS – Jean-François Leroy, founder of the prestigious Visa pour l’Image photojournalism festival, has issued an unambiguous invitation to Nick Ut to attend this year’s festival in Perpignan.
I’d guess that The Stringer film is unlikely to get a screening at this year’s festival. 😬
Now to more uplifting news from the world of photography.
Artists’ Residencies
I don’t know much about artists’ residencies and have never been an Artist in Residence. I’m pleasantly surprised to learn just how many opportunities there are.
The Resartis website lists dozens of artists’ residencies around the world on their Open Call list.
Latvia
Typical of the opportunities available is one at Pedvale Art Park in Latvia.
Nine artists from different disciplines; visual artists, writers, dancers, performance artists; can take up a residency in a refurbished Manor House for four weeks.
Studio spaces are available and artists are invited to work on a project, individually or in collaboration with other residents.
Artists are invited to share work with the local community and can offer workshops during their stay.
Similar residencies are available in Mexico, Greece, Portugal, Canada and beyond.
Finland
For example, I see there’s an opportunity to spend up to three months in Finland, exploring the forests and lakes and relaxing in a sauna.
I have questions:
Have you ever been – or do you know anybody who has been – an Artist in Residence?
How was the experience? Would you recommend it?
Why has nobody told me about this before?
An interactive map showing the locations of 634 (634!) such residencies can be found on the Resartis website.
Switzerland
I found one residency in Geneva which provides artists with a private room, studio space and a grant of CHF 1,400 per month (sadly not available to residents of the city).
I really encourage all readers to apply. I’ll bring fondue.
Barry Braunstein – Not all heroes wear capes
Finally, a shout out to Boston-based portrait photographer Barry Braunstein.
Barry is offering free headshot portraits to United States federal workers who have been laid-off in the Trump government’s recent “downsizing”.
“Like many people, when I heard about the layoffs of people who chose public service for their career as a way to help people, and with the negative characterisations being said about them, I felt like I had to do something,”
Barry Braunstein via PetaPixel
If you are – or if you know – an ex-federal employee living in the Boston area who would benefit from a headshot for a CV or LinkedIn profile, Barry might be your man.
Nice one, Barry 😁
The Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Grant
And really finally, there’s still time to submit entries for the Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Grant.
The award is presented to a professional photographer of any age, sex or nationality who wishes to cover a social, economic, political or cultural issue in a journalistic manner.
The deadline for entries is 1 June 2025.
Entry Rules can be downloaded here.
That’s all the news that’s fit to print for now.
Until next time, go well.
Directory: Beyond the Frame newsletter archive.
Resources: Recommended books, films, gear, media etc.
Beyond the Frame 54/
A deep dive into the controversy unfolding around Nick Ut's photograph, Napalm Girl.
