Shot for PUMA at his training ground in Brunel University, West London on a glorious summer's day, this I'm afraid was another absolute gem of a shoot. We set up early, watched the fastest man in the world ever train, then nailed a few lovely images at a very relaxed pace. Grabbed this image below as Usain timed, then comically berated, his fellow sprinters. Not the worst gig ever.
Smokey Robinson, The MOJO Interview, London July 2014
Can you imagine, looking through your viewfinder and seeing Smokey Robinson smiling at you? When this happened to me, I have to tell you dear blog reader, that I lowered my camera and in a flash of incredible unprofessionalism, I had to proclaim to the room 'I CANNOT BELIEVE SMOKEY ROBINSON IS LOOKING BACK AT ME!' before carrying on with the shoot. Shot for the forthcoming MOJO Interview (August issue) I can honestly tell you it's the phonecall I've dreamt of getting my whole career and thank goodness Smokey was so delightfully courteous and warm else I would have been ruined. Geoff Brown's piece in the mag is an insight and a half so if I never shoot anything again it doesn't matter because this happened. Shot on a Hasselblad 50C with 35-90 lens, with Elinchrom Ranger lighting through a Photek Softlighter, photo fans.
Rummaging...
From The Bays in Mexico, unearthed on a hard drive and never likely to see the light of day, so fly Turismo, fly!
More to come but really enjoying this series of self-initiated work, that exists just because it bloody well should - it's not client-driven or with any agenda other than fun (and creating solid imagery, of course). If you're into it, please share it and stay tuned as there's a big shoot with more Derny coming up. I love me a Derny race.
On going work: Herne Hill Velodrome
Back to the 'drome
Another fine shoot at the Herne Hill Velodrome, for a personal work series I'm working on. Love the place and photographically you can't put a foot wrong - so much subject matter everywhere. Saw some incredible riders that were so focused on their craft it put my chubby self to shame. More to follow in the form of a new gallery, coming soon. Cheers to all participants, inc Lee Valley YCC here and Derek the lap counter and starter gun firer. He's a laugh as you can see. Oh yeah, the bike image at the top was left by a summer shower. Aaaah.
DZ Deathrays take to the streets
Cool fellas, great band. Pre-order Black Rat now why don't you, huh?
The Deceptionist is chuffin' magic!
Shoot portraits of a massively well-respected magician and have your mind blown while you're at it? OK! Sav The Deceptionist came and wowed us at the studio while we nailed a new set of press images for him. I love it when he sidles up to us at a party cos you know pure mischief is about to go down - and you will too. More about him here: http://www.deceptionist.co.uk/
Matt Halsall at The House of St Barnabas
Just wonderful. The chapel space is so versatile here, yet everything musical works because it is so focused. Maybe it's one's reverence for the Church but that combined with the sonics and the anticipation of seeing an incredible young jazz talent made for a fantastically delicate night of live jazz at The House. Loads more info here.
Professor Green deep in the lab 2
He rapped about his wife a lot, which was nice to hear as well. Shot on the new Hasselblad 50C with Elinchrom Ranger Quadra lighting and another bleeding bloody Photek Softlighter 2 because they keep breaking and despite providing a beautiful quality of light the build quality is proper crappy.
Professor Green deep in the lab 1
New project for Lynx Make Beats Not War. I can confirm that Stephen is a thoroughly decent and obliging chap FYI.
Mojo Cover with The Black Keys
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
