Just Popping to the Blog.

Being the photographer does not always mean you can control the image that is published. My job is to fulfil  the brief. This might mean shooting in a specified location or fitting the subject in to a predetermined layout. This shoot with 6 Music DJ Liz Kershaw is a case in point.  I shot this image convinced that the Times Magazine would run with it. Infact, they wanted an interior shot image to balance out the imagery across that issue.  So here's the out take-never used and maybe never will be. But I like it.

The trouble with blogging is that I can't post about anything until it is out there and published. Anyway, the other week I whisked down to Cardiff to meet & shoot the enigmatic Charlotte Church. Almost failing to recognise her upon arrival, we got down to trying to shoot a cover and spread that showed where she is at currently. All I knew was she had given a good interview and we wanted a strong, assertive cover. Bearing in mind that she no longer goes in for the traditional pop star approach to selling herself, I decided we would simply make this shoot up as we went along. I'm not sure even now what Charlotte added to the mix. She remained fairly aloof throughout, but I think that sometimes, simplicity in a picture is all you need. Stark background, simple lighting, simple pose. No idea what she made of it though.

Thing is, I have to pretend this is hard work, otherwise my wife will make me finish painting the bathroom.

Being even vaguely attached to this monster of a show is very strange. Like most kids of, well, a lot of generations, I loved the Who. Sci Fi and Monsters. Oh yes, what else was a boy to watch of a Saturday? Back in the 90's, it came as a thrill to end up photographing John Pertwee (not shown here) as part of a minor reprise the show had as part of Children in Need, where most of these other cover shots were done. It was though, at the point, all a bit naff. a show from the past that was not holding up in time (sic).  Cut to all these years on and it's been a constant now since I was offered the chance to cover the shows images for the Christopher Eccleston rebirth. We shot for hours in Cardiff with Russell T Davies watching from the sidelines as I tried directing a series I had yet to see. Ecclestone's face when I tried to create more energy from his character was a picture. Still, the show wasn't going to last was it? Now all these years on and ev...

Just been watching a video by the great Gregory Heisler, expelling some shooting problems he had doing a Time Magazine cover. Whilst he went over the technical aspects, his biggest concern was, would the subject agree to the shot at all. I get this. Whilst we have the inevitable technical glitch (don't talk to me about the Hasseblad H system meets P30 tethered..), the biggest shoot issues these days tend to be getting the subject to acquiesce and embrace our vision. I think part of why I get hired is that usually, I bring back that which we set out to achieve. Being a portrait photographer, especially working in editorial, it is crucial to have the photos worked out in your mind ahead of the game. Sure, things change and the unknown could be a triumph, but transferring your belief in a visual idea is so much easier if you can explain the end result with conviction. My brief stint as an Assistant (I was crap) was worthwhile if only for me to see a photographer walk into a bla...

And yes, we did clear up ALL that fake snow.. http://bcove.me/tk9wj6n8