Just Popping to the Blog.

It's been a while since I added to this Blog. I must have been busy..or lazy. Just to let you all know that for the second year running, I have been selected to be part of the Portrait of Britain exhibition in association with the British Journal of Photography. My picture will be part of a series showing on JC Decaux billboards in shopping centres and railway stations across the UK. The subject is Rebecca Bunce who I photographed originally as part of a feminists collective shoot. The struggle she had to stand for my photograph is hopefully reflected in the dignity of her stance. I'm not big on entering awards (let alone being selected), but this is one that I will continue to participate in, if it continues next year.

Just occasionally, I will shoot an image that gets picked up a creates a (minor) Twitter moment, and I see it gaining a life of its' own. This image of the MP Jacob Rees-Mogg (Brexit enthusiast) is one of those moments. Shot originally for the Times Magazine, it was only when the Guardian reproduced it in a profile piece, that it got picked up on social media. The author and journalist Bonnie Greer reposted the image along with much praise, and before I knew it, it was bouncing all round the internet. The picture was then reposted by celebreties whilst being endlessly adapted by a few (cruel) Photoshop geeks, who added flames and comments on to my original image which gave it extra life in a new form. Following multiple online suggestions that the National Portrait Gallery should buy it, I added the image to a list of suggestions that I was already in the process of sending the gallery. To my suprise, the NPG  recently agreed to acquire the image (p...

Occasionally I will enter photo competitions. Now I'm not very good at them-in that, I'm not very good at knowing what they are looking for. However, when the BJP announced the 'Portrait of Britain' themed competition, I knew exactly what might slot in. And so, you can see these three winning images of mine in amongst many more across the country shortly. The images will rotate on digital screens within main railway stations and transport hubs across the country during September 2016.

First and foremost, I'm a portrait photographer. I like to control situations and light them accordingly. This commission was though, the very opposite. Shooting a gig is nuts-how do you know what will happen or what the light will be or where in the room to be? I have shot concerts before, but the snapper normally only gets the first three songs and is in 'The Pit' with a few others, hugging the sweet spot. So a chance to shoot the whole event with an Access All Areas pass is a rarity and a gem. Underworld are a great band and the Roundhouse a great venue, but with no proper instrumentation and not much movement, trying to find the best angle and moment is a challenge. Great night it was, which would have been perfect if I hadn't had a lens lost and never to reappear in the crush and dancing.. Here is a small edit including some shots that the band used as part of their US promotion.

Causing a bit of stink recently has been the demise of BHS and the acquired wealth of Sir Philip Green's family. I was asked a couple of years back to capture Lady Tina Green at an event opening in the West End. My ten mins with her was strange-she gave little away and did not want to be drawn on any friendly chat about Monaco. Mind you, I remember being told not to take my "professional looking camera outside" in Monaco, "the Police will stop you as the LOCALS don't like it.." Still, checkout the BEAST of a diamond on her finger. Tax free of course.

Stars and their dogs. Well, it's not easy with pooches. Mr Andy Murray handed me one or two fun shots in between all the barking.