I am posting this on a few forums in the U.S,I'm not sure it will get much interest here,however if you know of anyone who may be,please let them know. Here goes.I am a freelance photojournalist living and working from the Isle of Man,UK(middle of the Irish sea!).I have had idea which I have proposed to a few magazines for a photo-essay. A photojournalist would come to the Island and live in my home with my female partner(which is why I would prefer a woman!).She would spend a week or two photographing all the things that are familier to me-friends,family,etc.She would photograph my life through her eyes.At the same time I would be in the U.S photographing her partner. I can provide references to prove I'm not a wierdo!

Anyway,the few magazines I have spoken to have been very positive.I personally would love to see a book come from it.If you are,or someone you know is inerested,mail me.

Thanks for your time.Phil

-- Phil Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 16, 2002

Answers

I have used a false e-mail because I don't want anyone to contact me.

How do we know that you aren't some kind of pervert trying to get women into your house? I think anyone,female or male,who takes up this offer is mad.I suppose you won't be paying for their flights?If you want someone to live with you then maybe you should get a maid.

-- Sandy Allen (sandyellen@star.com), January 17, 2002.

Sandy,whoever comes to live in my home will be living with my female partner and 14 month old daughter,not with me.I will be living in their home with their partner.So,I think you will agree that there is going to be a certain amount of mutual trust.The only time the pair of photographers will meet in person is when I go over there and have a day or 2 with them before they fly to the Isle of Man(or the other way round if they prefer).I have already had 6 photojournalists(male and female) showing alot of interest.

Sandy,if that is your real name,please keep your negative and spiteful comments to yourself.

-- Phil Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 17, 2002.

Sorry I forgot to add-The only thing the photographer needs to pay for is flights(although I am trying to get sponsorship for this).All transport at my end will be provided(you can use my car!)and all food and of course accomadation(you'll be in my house).

-- Phil Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 17, 2002.

Phil, it sounds like a great idea - Sandy, lighten up...........

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), January 17, 2002.

"I have used a false e-mail because I don't want anyone to contact me."

What makes you think anyone would want to? Talk about attitude!

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002.

Phil

Interesting idea, sorry you got blasted by Sandy. I rather like the idea. I would love to come to the Isle of Man. Unfortunately, I am not a female (although everyone here in the US assumes I am). Good luck and I hope you find someone suitable.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), January 18, 2002.

Well, hopefully when we move over to photo.net, we won't have anonymous posts anymore. The idea speaks to me b/c I like the idea of traces, and of photographs as a way of constructing a person and her life. Snapshots served that purpose for the replicants in Blade Runner.

But, from the perspective of logitistics, I think it's an unusual request, and the original poster should not be surprised to get some publicly posted questions about his intentions. For instance:

Are there no other photoj's on the Isle of Man, or a little closer than the US, w/whom he could do an exchange, just as a pilot to try it out?

Related: why does the exchange have to be transatlantic?

Are there examples of past projects? Can we see them?

Is this okay with his partner? living with a complete stranger? for how long- 2 wks? 6 months? Just b/c it's a woman doesn't guarantee that it'll be safe. For instance, if I were the male partner of a photojournalist living in the US who did the exchange, I don't know if I'd be that keen about a stranger coming in and photographing me and my partner's things, friends, family, regardless of how supportive I would be her craft.

But hey, it's the net. Y'ask yer questions, and ya gets yer answers... Let us know if it happens and share the results when you're done.

-- Tse-Sung Wu (tsesung@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002.

"Are there no other photoj's on the Isle of Man, or a little closer than the US, w/whom he could do an exchange, just as a pilot to try it out?"

I agree. For instance, I intend to try out my upcoming feature on the Gaza strip by getting my neighbours to blow up my child and then I can machine gun them while they're getting into their car, and then...

I don't believe he's doing it as a hobby.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), January 18, 2002.

Gee Rob, that's really funny.

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002.

The person doesn't have to be female,I just thought a female would be more comfortable living with my female partner.Also I felt this would create more of a contrast.

The person doesn't have to be from the U.S.I have put the idea to agencies in Europe too.

Yes it's o.k with may partner-it was her idea.

But,all the above is irrelavent because I have found a photojournalist through an agency in Germany.I think it's great when people take the piss,kids took the piss out of me when I told them at the age of 14 I would be a photojournalist,most of them didn't even know what a photojournalist was.When I left school my teachers said I would end up working in McDonalds for the rest of my life.People laughed when I said I would get into uni' on the strength of my portfolio alone......

What have I been doing today? Getting paid to enjoy myself,that's what.I get sent all over the world AND get paid for it.OK,I don't earn a fortune,but I don't care.

The people who this is aimed at know who they are.The 38 journalist who contacted me don't think my project is a waste of time and neither does my agent.

You keep on wasting your life talking about cameras-I'll be out taking photographs.Thanks to all the positive folks on this site,I'll come back in a few months and let you know how I got on.

-- Phil Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 18, 2002.

Thanks, Tse-Sung, I do my best.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), January 18, 2002.

Good luck! Lets see some of the take as you and the other go into the effort....i've been busy on different lifestyles.I wrote a small piece about a Fetish Masquerade Ball.My friends and family were worried this photographer and writer would be "drugged,kidnapped and made a love slave".Sandy you got friends out there!

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.

Jason-I don't understand a word of your last post.

-- Craig (craigsmith@hotmail.com), January 26, 2002.

Wow, that so strange. I have been sitting here trying to just get a way and looking for answers on the web on "how to" It sounds just what I need, except all my financial resources have been spent on photography processes. Wouldn't be able to pay for the flight.

-- Malgosia (gawronka@netscape.net), June 09, 2002.

I can provide references to prove I'm not a wierdo!

But you are a wierdo Phil!you do not need references to prove it.Hey i am not perfect either.

-- allen herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), June 10, 2002.