I went to Nashville and shot The Black Keys for the cover of this month's MOJO. You wouldn't believe how much I love this tho it can be quite challenging as I'm walking in pretty cold and without the usual luxuries, plus inevitably you're requiring a fair few elements to go your way to create the lead image for the biggest title in music. I feel as though I respond fairly well to pressure of this kind but still, it can be quite taxing when locations don't fit the bill or meet with expectation. Have a little gander here for more info, and grab yourself one when passing your newsstand. Huge thanks to Westlight Studios, Franklin, TN and the greatest man on the ground (and his tasty whip) Nicholas McGinn Jr.
Ronnie Scotts House Band Portraits
Fun and laughter shooting the house band from Ronnie's - always an interesting dynamic with these characters as while they are musicians and artists and huge talents in their own right (Tony Remi, above), they're also much like session players in that they exist and work in the background, behind arguably bigger names or talents. Cool guys always - that is a constant.
Derny Drivers at Herne Hill Velodrome
My latest project work -
Meet Phil, one of the Derny Drivers at Herne Hill Velodrome and part of a new portrait project I've started. These fellas drive a fleet of petrol-powered bikes, setting a mean pace for their team members following on behind who maintain constant communication with them. It's old school, exciting as anything and great to be shooting for self-initiated fun, without a commissioner to satisfy. More images to follow soon, and a short film I hope. Shot again on my new Hasselblad 50C and with the astonishing Broncolour Move battery packs and a Para 88, which froze the action wonderfully and gave me an incredible quality to these images. Thanks to all involved and like I said, more to follow. Cheers!
More Palmskin Productions...
Well worth a rummage around for this guy's work, especially in the Freerange Records archive. Tell them I sent you to claim your discounted smack in the chops.
More beauty from the Hasselblad 50C. Honestly, it's the one.
Palmskin Productions, in the studio
It just can't be that bad being shot by me, surely. Lovely to have Simon Richmond, aka Palmskin Productions, back in the studio after so long. Former Bay (The Bays - a long-loved music project I documented for quite a few years) and recording artist for Mo'Wax and Freerange Records, he returned to East London for some refreshed portraits for a forthcoming project with John Metcalfe and this outtake was one of the last shots in our hour session. One hour - and look at him, all done in and bedraggled - maybe it is that bad. Photographed on the new Hasselblad 50C - which is beyond good - waaaaay beyond good.
Raleigh Ritchie in The Standard
Cool fella as you know. Image provided via Camera Press. Have ranted below about Raleigh so I won't again. Really, I mustn't. It's getting weird now.
More Toy Shack, indoor market, Walthamstow. Go see!
Toy Shack Opens and is properly good.
Meet Rob Triclops. He has just opened Toy Shack, with his partner Luc, in Walthamstow indoor market. I had the greatest of pleasures in going along and documenting this momentous occasion and the characters involved the day before opening and by all accounts in opened with a BOOM on the Saturday, with folks travelling from all over to have a peep. They know their stuff and greatness will ensue, I know this. Anyone who loves their job this much is never at work so will always do really well. Heck, it's worked for me all these years.
Thierry Henry for PUMA
A Day In The Life Of…Me!
http://blog.ticketmaster.co.uk/music/day-life-photographer-4563
March Newsletter - Warpaint, Fly, Yaya
http://eepurl.com/PQePr
Yaya Touré for PUMA
Warpaint for The Fly
Thurston Moore for The Fly
Photographed backstage at The Fly awards at The Forum last month, this total ledge came up to our makeshift studio and happily, amongst total chaos, noise and distraction, posed for this front cover like a beacon of serenity amid an ocean of barking sea lions. He was much warmer, giving and frankly happier thank I thought he might be (based on nothing at all) and I'm grateful for the exchange, especially given the circumstances. Shot on a Hasselblad, with Elinchrom lighting in a tight space with 15 people staring.
February Newsletter- Marioooooo
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If you give an arse, follow me on Instagram: tommyophoto
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It's essential apparently to be on Instagram so I've leapt aboard this timesuck with loads of archive images and outtakes. Keener observers might notice a few shots they've seen before, but I've been digging in my crates for a hot minute and will unearth some gems I swear. They has to be some somewhere, honestly.
Now Go Create Blog
http://www.nowgocreate.co.uk/blog/article.php?blogID=43
Mario Balotelli for Puma/FourFourTwo Front cover
Mario Balotelli, Monza, Italy
Without the cover lines, all clean and pure. I would NOT like to be punched by this man, FYI.
Mario for Puma/FourFourTwo
Mario Balotelli, photograhed in Milan for Puma/FourFourTwo. A truly memorable experience and happily, gladly, wonderfully, he was well up for the concept. He's an astonishing athlete physically and will hopefully achieve true greatness in the forthcoming World Cup. Shot on a Hassleblad H5D with Elinchrom Ranger packs, on location in Monza.