Control Freakery...

In my opinion, if we're honest, most photographers are control freaks and anyone who says otherwise is either telling porkies or doesn't care about the work. In the days of shooting on film I had a good relationship with the printer at my lab and he knew how I liked my completed images to look. With the advent of digital one of the things that's been most welcome is having complete control over an image from start to finish. It's certainly changed the way I work, how I approach a project and most of all the look of my photography. I've found it easier to visualise how an image is going to look when it's completed yet I like the surprises that post production can bring. 

So when a client calls me and asks "can you come and take some photographs but we'd like to do the post production" there's usually a sharp intake of breath and some stuttering on my part. In this instance Metrodome Distribution wanted a special cover for the DVD release of Down Terrace a British gangster movie that's also about family. They had a very clear idea of how they wanted the image to look to the extent that they suggested the tungsten colour balance of the lighting and thanks to some superbly placed expletives from Jezz our lead actor Robert Hill who came up from Brighton where the film was shot looks suitably menacing. Down Terrace has travelled to a variety of festivals including Raindance and has also been catching some favourable rays from Little White Lies, Reuters and The Sunday Times. 

You can see it, as I will, on the big screen at the ICA starting at the end of this month.  It will be released on DVD on 23rd August.

I'm Empty So Fill Me With Your Heart's Desire...

The fabulous weather in recent weeks has seen me wielding my iPhone with abandonment.  On one day out I spent the afternoon with some friends and after a splendid lunch we adjourned to a street party nearby.  There amongst the beautiful blue sky was the obligatory bunting billowing gently above my head.  So seated comfortably in my picnic chair I didn't have to go too far to find some inspiring images.

My next outing was a weekend in West Sussex.  More friends, more food but this time with a few strolls thrown in.  Bognor Regis, Barnham and Elmer where my friends grew up. Personally I can't see the point in leaving London unless one is going to see the sea (controversial I know).

So what to do with these images besides post them to my Tumblr page?  Well with some free time (and how fleeting that was) I decided to make some greeting cards, something I haven't done for a while.   The images above are just a small selection of what's available.  The cards are blank inside (hence the title of this post) and can be purchased from the wonderful Queens Park Books in my old stomping ground of...Queens Park and also the delightful Early Bird card and gift shop in my current manor of Stoke Newington and if you're around Stokey you might just find me taking tea (and cake) in The Tea Rooms on Church Street.

Cameraman Meet Cameraman

The benefits of having an assistant at anytime cannot be underestimated but having someone who is local and speaks the language is a bonus. So for me Cannes was very different this year, in part because I had the good fortune to have an assistant who was as happy to be working with me as I was to have him. His name was Johann and he was recommended by a friend's assistant who'd previously attended the same film and photography school in Nice.  He was friendly (a good networker) and conscientious.  The bonus for him was being introduced to the cinematography of Jack Cardiff via a special screening in Cannes of Cameraman: The Life and Work or Jack Cardiff.

Coincidently, the week before I had photographed the director Craig McCall with Martin Scorsese (who gave a special introduction) at the BFI Southbank.  In fact Johann was so enthused by the movie that he went to a talk the next day given by Craig.  So thank you Johann for your help and enthusiam. It will be remembered.  ps.  He's also a dab hand in the kitchen.

Palme d'Or Winner...

Well a good start (see previous post) and a good end to the Cannes International Film Festival for me.  With in fact plenty of good bits in between. This was my last shoot of the festival and on Sunday director Apichatpong Weerasethakul beat the other 18 entries when he became the recipient of the Palme d'Or the main competition prize for his movie Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.  If you want to hear him speak about his work he'll be at the BFI Southbank (via Skype) on Tuesday 25 May

The Queen and I... and Taylor Hackford

Wednesday, first working day at the festival where I did a shoot for Screen International. Portraits of Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford. They were interviewed about a new movie together, their first in over 20 years since meeting on White Nights. The film Love Ranch is based on a true story about the first legal brothel to open in Navada.  Mr Hackford directs and Miss Mirren plays the Madam a woman in charge...once again.

Parents...they make your life interesting

Only a couple of weeks before Cannes International Film Festival starts. Sometimes the movies are released immediately after the festival and sometimes it can take up to a year or occasionally more.  One such film that's been worth waiting for is Dogtooth winner of Un Certain Regard 2009 .  A dark but humorous movie that takes a look at a family who's mother and father want to preserve the innocence of their teenage children.  The director Yorgos Lanthimos and two of his lead actors Aggeliki Papoulia and Christos Passalis were in Cannes last year to promote the movie.  Having just seen the movie it's ironic that there was a reception going on at the time of the shoot and we just about managed to find a small corner with no room for lights to shoot.  The movie is currently showing at the Curzon Renoir cinema.

Yorgos Lanthimos

Aggeliki Papoulia

Christos Passalis

The SX-70 and The Impossible Project

I had desired one of these cameras for many years and finally took the plunge and made a purchase from Ebay in 2008 only to have Polaroid announce it was discontinuing production of al instant film and closing the factories.  This was met with dismay and sadness (and certainly some anger) worldwide.  However a small group of people (including a few former Polaroid staff) decided to get together and work on producing a new film.  It has taken them nearly two years but today they launched a new analog film called PX600 and it will be available for sale from Thursday 25th March.  You can see a short video of their NYC launch here

What makes this film special?   The SX-70 was the camera that really established Polaroid as it used the first integral film (it developed before your eyes).   Previous films involved peeling and coating the prints to stabilise them.  It was also the first SLR (single lens reflex) camera that they produced.  It was the digital of its day.  Like many of the faithful I spent time hunting and acquiring stock.  This is still some available (at not too extortionate rates) but you have to know where to look.  I have my own on going projects which started with another icon heading for possible extinction, our Sir Gilbert Scott designed red telephone boxes and Walthamstow Dog Stadium now long departed save for the Grade II listed facade.

The Stow...

Irving Penn: Portraits

'Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a face they think is one they would like to show the world...Very often what lies behind the façade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dare to believe'.  Irving Penn, 1975

I went to the National Portrait Gallery last weekend to see an exhibition of his portraits. For me, one of the most appealing things was the simplicity of the settings in many of the images.  There was nothing to detract from the sitter.  From famous or not he was always focused on getting beyond that façade.  I think this is what portrait photography should be about.  So get yourself down to the NPG before 6 June 2010.  Here is one of my favourites which is included in this show. ©Irving Penn

Film Festivals

Having recently returned from Berlin, I'm now in the process of sorting out my accreditation for Cannes.  Since it's a renewal one is usually asked to send proof of publication for the previous year's photography.  This picture of Atom Egoyan was taken in Cannes in 2008 when he was promoting his movie Adoration.    However it's usage goes beyond that as this shot was used in the latest (Spring 2010) edition of Tank Magazine.  You can read the rest of the transcript here.

Finding time to edit

Finding time to edit and shoot whilst at the festival is always tricky and obviously the priority is to get the appointments you require and take photographs, so much of the post production is done when I get back home.  Here are two photographs that I managed to edit whilst still away.  They represent both ends of the talent spectrum found at festivals.  Lotte Verbeek was one of this year's Shooting Stars a European Film Promotion initiative that promotes young acting talent not only in Berlin but also at other major film festivals.  Michael Winterbottom is an established British film director who was in Berlin this year to promote his movie The Killer Inside Me.

Lotte Verbeek

Michael Winterbottom

Location Limitations...

Choice of location to shoot at any festival is limited and in my experience Berlin sets some pretty big limitations. First it's unlikely that you'd be able shoot outside. In four years I've only managed it once and my battery pack failed due to the cold temperature and the actor kept his coat on!  Outdoors this year was an absolute no no.  We're talking minus ˚7 and counting. So what are the options?  Well first it depends what space the PR agents can get. A lot of the time they are based in the Palast which is the main theatre for the festival. Unfortunately for us photographers it's all orange, orange and orange with a touch of navy blue thrown in here and there. If you're fortunate enough to have an assistant then you've got an extra pair of hands to carry a background.  But since I don't, most of the time it's orange or blue or if I'm lucky someone leaves their backdrop up for me which was the case with this photograph of director Rafi Pitts.  

Otherwise it's this which admittedly worked well with the outfit of director Jasmila Zbanic

Needless to say I'm looking forward to Cannes which at least (most of the time) has the weather on it's side.

Berrrlin

I arrived yesterday for the Berlinale.  Germany is seriously cold. Temperatures at minus ˚7 and counting.  I don't think I've been anywhere this cold in a long time.  In fact I tend to avoid these kinds of temperatures but... here I am.  My apartment Mitte is about a twenty minute walk (no doubt less without the treacherous ice) from the hub of the festival in Potsdamer Platz and that's about as long as it takes with double insulated gloves to start feeling the biting cold.  That said there are some amazing sites like seeing large chunks of frozen ice floating in the river or

bicycles that will have to be dug out with an icepick 

I try not to have my hands out of the gloves for more than 45 seconds although the temptation is strong as there is much to see here and Berlin being so full of history.  So whilst walking to and fro to make appointments and catch up with people I haven't seen since Cannes I whip out my beloved iPhone with it's selection of apps and take some pictures.  I start shooting tomorrow so for now I'll leave you with this last picture of some beautiful signage shot in front of the Brandenburg Gate

Last opportunity...

to view my exhibition of actors and directors at Negs in Soho (45-47 Broadwick Street W1F 9QP).

Thanks to Jag and his lovely staff for printing and hosting my pictures.  They're a great bunch who share their tea, biscuits and the occasional beer with me.  So if you're looking for somewhere friendly to get your prints done or film processed (yes there are still labs out there) amongst their many services, then this is the place to go.

Daniel Craig                                 Tan Zhou

Shooting Stars

I'm gearing up for my fourth Berlin International Film Festival.  I can't say I'm looking forward to the weather (it's usually minus something) but I am looking forward to the array of talent that will attend the 60th Berlinale.   Last year I photographed the Shooting Stars 2009 for the European Film Promotion. Amongst this group of ten actors was our own Carey Mulligan who has recently received a Bafta nomination for her performance in An Education.  Her star is in the assent and the Evening Standard has listed her as one to watch in 2010!

Sorted!

Well I thought this image was apt as a first post for this blog as it's been on the back burner for a while as I sweated and learnt enough HTML (thank you Paul) to get the look I wanted. Thank goodness that's over! The shot was taken and edited on my iPhone in a client's kitchen whilst chef was preparing one of many Christmas meals for staff. Shame it's not scratch and sniff, eh?