Actually shot this for The Fly's Haim cover but they preferred the hard light on white version. 'Fine!' I said, and stroppily turned and stomped out of their offices. That's why I always shoot two versions of everything because you never know what folks will like and what they won't. It's just bonkers.
MGMT for The Fly
They do live in a cosmic, dreamy space really, don't they? So you know, I thought this made sense. I shot the sky in Lesotho of all places, MGMT in a hotel somewhere. Hey - don't judge me. Sometimes the media lies.
Vidic, Man Utd skipper for PUMA
His fans sing nice things about what he will do to you if you're on the opposing team, but he showed absolutley no signs of wanting to harm me in any way at all during our highly successful shoot with him in Manchester for Puma. He looks great, shoots great, plays great. Perfect.
Aguero for Puma in Sport Magazine
More fun times for Puma, the cat looking strong on 300K copies handed out in London last Friday.
Alex Turner, cool guy.
How could you fail? Just look at the guy. He's doing all the work here, I just point the thing.
Me vs Pocket Lint at V2013
Me and Rik had a kind of, not really, photo-off at V this year. Read his feature here, if you're ever wondering what it's like in the pit.
Arctic Monkeys make The Fly, September Issue
Great mag this month. I can well understand why the regular reader of this blog may grow a tad weary of my constant enthusiasm for my own work with The Fly magazine. If that is the case, I of course apologise - though it does beg the question - what you doin' back here huh? Anyway, no time for that, because it's the Arctic Monkeys! They came into Ermine Works the Monday after their Glastonbury weekend success and couldn't have been cooler, they knew the deal well, we cracked on and in no time at all I knew we had a great cover. I wanted a classic look, even shadow-less lighting so we could have a clear idea of who they were and what they looked like in 2013. A punchy process (light soft, process hard) and lo, a super clean portrait of a Great British band. Thanks fellas.
Josh Homme, Queens Of The Stone Age
I would sell my soul to be in a room with this guy and Dave Grohl. It would be incredible. I've never come across a vibesman like Josh, the very embodiment of the old school, traditional, proper rock front man, since meeting Dave Grohl and he's obviously pretty unique himself. Travelling to Portugal to SuperBock SuperRock to shoot portraits and live shots for The Fly magazine was made increasingly challenging due to Vuelling (not recommended, chaps) losing all my stands and diffusion on the way OUT - something I have to tell you we weren't really able to recover from. The travel time meant me and Dan Ross had to race across the city to hire some less than ideal kit, then the hotel room/location was no good, then blah blah blah. The cover looks cool but wasn't the full power band shot I really sought unfortunately. However, the gig was incredible, band were mighty, crowd were killer AND we had a police escort. Huh.
House of St Barnabas makes CoolBrands
Which makes perfect sense because, as regular readers of this blog will know quite well, the HofStB is a very marvellous organisation that deserves recognition and your membership support!
Riders For Health
Finalists in the Index Awards, Work category. Because they're incredible, that's why. Another of our super-remote location shoots (in Lesotho this time) that tells the story of how it makes great sense to have health workers trained to ride and maintain motorcycles, to give advice and care to people too far from medical centres. Lots more info here, do get involved.
Drenge
Cool switched on guys, recently involved in a very bizarre tale with a politician. It's all in your monthly Fly magazine. Aimed for a suitably oblique low level lighting set-up, almost as though they were caught in a car's headlight. That was the theme anyway, whether we achieved it or not is down to your judgement.
Usain feature shot in Sport
Looks alright, don't he.
Mr. Capaldi is Dr. Who
As seen on the Guardian website - my portrait of the wonderful new Dr. Who. Was delighted to hear the announcement, becuase he is a fascinating man who has earnt every scrap of success he enjoys. Here's the original post on this very blog, from the shoot at the House of St Barnabas.
King Krule for President
How would that mess up the political structure if we had a King as President? From monarchy to republic - would that be an act of self-treason? I'm not 100pc sure it would work but Vote Krule would look great on a placard.
Last one I swear
Nice cover for Sport Magazine. Shoot details in the post below. 300K of these mags being handed out right NOW. POW.
Next month in The Fly!
So we got the incredibly sharp Arctic Monkeys into the studio for next September issue of The Fly. I mean, have you seen Alex Turner lately? He looks slick. Can't wait for that one to drop. In a month. God, what am I going to do til then? Answers on a postcard please.
Julia Holter for MOJO
Know about her? Shot for MOJO at the King's Head, on Kingsland Rd in your East London I'll have you know. Beautiful feature too in MOJO, they know what's up.
Laura Marling for MOJO. A special one.
A mere 200 yards from my house, I trundled off to meet Editor-In-Chief Phil Alexander and watch a new style of performance, brought to Hackney by The Secret Cinema people. Set in a soon to be demolished school with so much atmosphere already in the room, the anticipation ramped up when a vast number of formally dressed guests squeezed in to drink cocktails, drink in atmosphere and listen to Laura Marling sing her new album. A tangible feeling of... something new... could it be... actually excitement? came over me at this fantastic presentation, amid loads of dramatic interludes and all sorts. The first of many things like this I would think, but read Phil's piece on it yaself I would.
Usain Bolt, of PUMA and the world
Previously unreleased, it's exclusive to you - the 2 people that actually read my blog. Yes, you mum and dad. Thank you and I love you.
Usain Bolt, also for PUMA.
As featured on your internet, the Standard, Metro. Honestly, everyone loves him.