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Photozine 'Giant'
19th November 2022
19th November 2022
New Photozine:'Giant.'
Twelve black and white photos of Japanese Sumo wrestlers in action.
Twenty pages.
8.5 x 11 inches or 22 x 28 cm.
Twelve black and white photos of Japanese Sumo wrestlers in action.
Twenty pages.
8.5 x 11 inches or 22 x 28 cm.
No Entry!
11th July 2022
11th July 2022
You can set up shots like this but I always think it’s best just to let things happen naturally and be an observer rather than taking an active part.
I noticed this man leaning on the gate and started making my way towards him.
I positioned myself so that the flag behind him would be an important part of the photo. Then I waited. He was talking to a woman on my right but just for a second his eyes looked towards me and I pressed the shutter.
I think I was aware of the words on the gate but it was only when I got home that I realised he was dressed as a soldier in The Home Guard during WW2 and it all made sense: No Entry.
This is my way of taking photos: being only partly in control and leaving the rest to the actors in the scene.
Of course the presence of a photographer could be said to change everything but there’s still a strong element of chance which is what makes photography a bit magical.
I noticed this man leaning on the gate and started making my way towards him.
I positioned myself so that the flag behind him would be an important part of the photo. Then I waited. He was talking to a woman on my right but just for a second his eyes looked towards me and I pressed the shutter.
I think I was aware of the words on the gate but it was only when I got home that I realised he was dressed as a soldier in The Home Guard during WW2 and it all made sense: No Entry.
This is my way of taking photos: being only partly in control and leaving the rest to the actors in the scene.
Of course the presence of a photographer could be said to change everything but there’s still a strong element of chance which is what makes photography a bit magical.
Sumo
26th October 2021
26th October 2021
I'm fascinated by Sumo. Not the traditions of this important element of Japanese culture but the look of it. Shot on Ilford HP5 Plus 35mm film pushed to ISO 1600, I then scan the developed film, and process it still further in Lightroom, Photoshop and Silver Efex Pro. This is a subject that has a strong graphic element and that appeals greatly to me. I hope you like the images, the first of which are on view on my homepage.
Documentary Photographer of the Year 2021
17th July 2021
17th July 2021
This exciting competition is open again and I hope there will be lots of entries again this year.
Bristol Photographic Society Annual 2021
12th June 2021
12th June 2021
Earlier this week, this picture won Best Picture in Bristol Photographic Society's Annual Competition. It was taken in Trinidad, Cuba in 2017 and the gentleman in the picture was 100 years old. He wasn't in the best of health but we chatted for a while and I asked him if I could make a portrait of him and this is the result. As well as taking first place it was also judged Best People photo in the competition.
West Bristol Arts Trail 2020
12th October 2020
12th October 2020
The Arts Trail is back and we are in it again, selling copies of my new photobook and also photozine entitled ‘Bishops Knoll.’
There are two versions of the Arts Trail this year: the actual physical Arts Trail, which is taking place in a more limited way than usual and the Virtual Arts Trail, which is taking place online via a Facebook page.
Here are links to both:
https://westbristolarts.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2441913536110858
We hope to see people next Saturday and Sunday where we will be showing photos and hopefully selling some of my publications, all of which you can find on sale here as well.
There are two versions of the Arts Trail this year: the actual physical Arts Trail, which is taking place in a more limited way than usual and the Virtual Arts Trail, which is taking place online via a Facebook page.
Here are links to both:
https://westbristolarts.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2441913536110858
We hope to see people next Saturday and Sunday where we will be showing photos and hopefully selling some of my publications, all of which you can find on sale here as well.
BPS Annual Projected Image Competition 2020
13th June 2020
13th June 2020
It was pleasing to learn that this image, one of my favourites from 2019, was awarded Best Monochrome Image earlier this week.
It is a photo from one of my recent publications entitled ‘Punters’, a collection of pictures taken over the course of a year at racecourses around the country.
Just before taking it I had identified the man on the left as a person of interest. He is undoubtedly one of the people who regularly attend race meetings and would, I imagine, be extremely knowledgeable about horses. I didn’t notice the other chap but when he started reacting to the climax of the race, I knew something was about to happen. He didn’t disappoint. The contrast between his exuberance and the the self-control of the other gentleman was a delight to see as I watched it develop before my eyes.
It was taken at Cheltenham Festival, one of the most exciting events in the horse racing calendar.
It is a photo from one of my recent publications entitled ‘Punters’, a collection of pictures taken over the course of a year at racecourses around the country.
Just before taking it I had identified the man on the left as a person of interest. He is undoubtedly one of the people who regularly attend race meetings and would, I imagine, be extremely knowledgeable about horses. I didn’t notice the other chap but when he started reacting to the climax of the race, I knew something was about to happen. He didn’t disappoint. The contrast between his exuberance and the the self-control of the other gentleman was a delight to see as I watched it develop before my eyes.
It was taken at Cheltenham Festival, one of the most exciting events in the horse racing calendar.
New Photozine: Wartime in the Cotswolds
12th May 2020
12th May 2020
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https://mixam.co.uk/share/5eaf0fe29c35c80baf62bef1
Just got my new photozine back from the printers today. They did an excellent job.
it's a collection of images from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway's annual Wartime in the Cotswolds event. Competitively priced at £3.99
Please see link below for a preview.
it's a collection of images from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway's annual Wartime in the Cotswolds event. Competitively priced at £3.99
Please see link below for a preview.
https://mixam.co.uk/share/5eaf0fe29c35c80baf62bef1
Bristol Photographic Society Projected Digital Image Competition
08th April 2020
08th April 2020
Very pleased to discover that my image 'The Laundry Basket' took first prize in this competition this month. The theme of the competition was 'Interiors' and there was some question as to whether this image followed the brief. I was certain that it did and I hope you agree. The judge obviously did.
Bristol Salon of Photography 2020
20th February 2020
20th February 2020
I was pleased to get four acceptances in this year's Bristol Salon, one of which was awarded an 'Honourable Mention,' the picture you can see below which is titled 'Blue Nun.'
RPS Documentary Photography of the Year 2019
11th January 2020
11th January 2020
Yes, I know it's 2020 but today was the final of this competition. Eighty contestants entered and ten were shortlisted. Of those, five were chosen as finalists and their pictures were printed and on display this afternoon at the Royal Photographic Society HQ in Bristol.
A short taxi ride for me but the entrants came from far and wide. I believe the furthest anyone travelled was from Dublin.
Anyway I was one of the five finalists and the overall winner was announced.
All the finalists' photos will be shown in an exhibition that will travel round the UK this year. There will also be a feature in next months RPS Journal so look out for that.
There was quite a nice prize for each of the finalists too.
More soon on those exhibition dates.
A short taxi ride for me but the entrants came from far and wide. I believe the furthest anyone travelled was from Dublin.
Anyway I was one of the five finalists and the overall winner was announced.
All the finalists' photos will be shown in an exhibition that will travel round the UK this year. There will also be a feature in next months RPS Journal so look out for that.
There was quite a nice prize for each of the finalists too.
More soon on those exhibition dates.
New Photobooks in 2020
20th December 2019
20th December 2019
I have three new photobooks planned for the coming year.
The first one is a second book of photos from the racecourses of Britain, working title is 'Punters II.'
The second one is a book of photos entitled 'Cosplay' and the other one is 'Wartime in the Cotswolds.'
Here is a photo from 'Punters II.'
The first one is a second book of photos from the racecourses of Britain, working title is 'Punters II.'
The second one is a book of photos entitled 'Cosplay' and the other one is 'Wartime in the Cotswolds.'
Here is a photo from 'Punters II.'
RPS Documentary Photographer of the Year 2019
18th November 2019
18th November 2019
Early days but have recently heard that I have been shortlisted in this competition. Having enormous respect for the other photographers and knowing how high this standard is likely to be, I can only hope that I will make it to the final 5. Fingers crossed.
West Bristol Arts Trail 19-20 October 2019
18th October 2019
18th October 2019
If you’re in Bristol this weekend then why not visit the West Bristol Arts
Trail?
This is our little exhibition space ready and waiting.
Follow the link for more details.
Saturday and Sunday 11–5pm
https://westbristolarts.com/venues/
Trail?
This is our little exhibition space ready and waiting.
Follow the link for more details.
Saturday and Sunday 11–5pm
https://westbristolarts.com/venues/
Punters
08th October 2019
08th October 2019
My new photozine, ‘Punters’ will be available from 14 October here and at West Bristol Arts Trail on 19/20 October, when there will be an exhibition of prints of all of the photos in it.
Link to West Bristol Arts Trail website for more information. https://westbristolarts.com/
Link to West Bristol Arts Trail website for more information. https://westbristolarts.com/
Photozine: 'Rajasthani Blues.'
09th September 2019
09th September 2019
Here is a preview of my new photozine of street portraits from Rajasthan.
Available now.
Available now.
Sebastiāo Salgado ‘Gold.’
04th September 2019
04th September 2019
Superb photography. Almost biblical in its tone and scope.
https://www.bjp-online.com/2019/09/sebastia%CC%83o-salgado-gold/
https://www.bjp-online.com/2019/09/sebastia%CC%83o-salgado-gold/
London Salon of Photography 2019
03rd June 2019
03rd June 2019
I was pleased to be accepted in the London Salon of Photography again this year.
This will be the 108th annual exhibition.
The standard is always high and the range of different styles is always fascinating .
I can definitely recommend taking the time to visit the Exhibition at one of the venues below:
Smethwick Photographic Society 22 June to 12 July
The Burt Gallery, London 12-23 August
Edinburgh Photographic Society 1-31 October
with a further exhibition to be confirmed in Ireland.
For more details , please follow this link
http://www.londonsalon.org/2019-entry-information/4593502242
This will be the 108th annual exhibition.
The standard is always high and the range of different styles is always fascinating .
I can definitely recommend taking the time to visit the Exhibition at one of the venues below:
Smethwick Photographic Society 22 June to 12 July
The Burt Gallery, London 12-23 August
Edinburgh Photographic Society 1-31 October
with a further exhibition to be confirmed in Ireland.
For more details , please follow this link
http://www.londonsalon.org/2019-entry-information/4593502242
Miami Vice Again
22nd May 2019
22nd May 2019
Check out this lovely new photobook. Those were the days. Is it still the same?
Miami Beach: The hedonistic spirit of the early 90s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-48268600
Miami Beach: The hedonistic spirit of the early 90s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-48268600
New Publication: Flamenco al Tabanco a la Feria
11th May 2019
11th May 2019
Just published: Photozine of images taken at The Tabanco al Feria in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
A Tabanco is a little bar serving sherry and tapas. There are several in Jerez and they put on Flamenco shows. The light is low, so a slow shutter speed is essential, particularly as it captures the movement of the dancers as they swirl across the stage.
I was not intending to make a book of these photos, especially as I have another project on the go, but I could not resist.
Available for sale here.
A Tabanco is a little bar serving sherry and tapas. There are several in Jerez and they put on Flamenco shows. The light is low, so a slow shutter speed is essential, particularly as it captures the movement of the dancers as they swirl across the stage.
I was not intending to make a book of these photos, especially as I have another project on the go, but I could not resist.
Available for sale here.