Gallant Gentlemen

I had the great privilege today to meet 8 very gallant gentlemen when I visited RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, to photograph a reunion of a re-assembled flight crew of a Lancaster bomber

Although the men never actually flew together, their ranks and operational roles were typical of a crew in the Second War. No actual entire crew remains from those distant days

Men like 86 year old Flight Sergeant Stan Franks, (pictured) who at 18 was one of the youngest entrants to the Bomber Command, and who joined up "to fly" and not "to kill people". At these thoughts, Stan's eyes welled with tears and I could see that he was recalling his youth and so many of his comrades. "They called us thugs, you know", he said, once again struggling to retain his emotions, "but we had to do it. It was the only way" It still rankles with him that Bomber Command crews did not get a medal for their heroism, and terrible losses though the campaign

All of the men had their own individual stories of life in a Lancaster - like Jim McGillivray ,also 86, who was an Air Gunner. Demonstrating how difficult it was to get into the tail gunners "bubble" at the rear of plane, he recalled how the Perspex would become smeared with oil, making it impossible to see the fighters approaching, so it would be taken out and they flew at 20000 feet and more with nothing but their flying suits for warmth. "But your bollocks froze", he said with feeling

These men with a collective age of over 600 years, still showed the spirit and lion hearts which made them unique in our history. Despite the terrible toll on their numbers they continued to fly missions daily across Europe. I was told of a bombing raid on Milan, where the planes came in at 100 feet, "so low you could see people eating in the street", and how terrifying it was to see anti aircraft batteries open up on them from that range

I salute and feel humbled by these gallant gentlemen. We shall never see their like again, I fear

Groovy Baby!

What a great time the 60s were! I have just had great fun photographing a 60s themed party and even though the majority of guests weren't even born then, the fascination with The Summer of Love and Swinging London continues. Over 100 people turned up at The Old Grammarians Social Club in a variety of costumes from the funky to the frankly ridiculous, but everyone had a great time. The event was a birthday party, but also raised funds for sufferers of cystic fibrosis and Papworth Hospital. I managed to get the Elinchrom/Canon flash issue solved with the advice of partner JR, and the lighting set up worked perfectly. Thanks to Nick and Gillian for asking me to photograph their special celebrations

Quality Wedding Photography

... is getting closer to launch!

Wednesday saw my colleague JR and me at Rushton Hall with our model, Button, who made a lovely bride amidst the Elizabethan splendour of Rushton

We are already taking bookings for 2011, and I know that once the new albums and website go live, we will see a lot of interest in our unique blend of reportage and formal photography

One handed photographers...

... seem to be everywhere! What is it with people who think that they can get a nice sharp clear image whilst holding their camera or phonecam in their outstretched hand? Sure the pic may look ok on the screen on the back of the device, but if or when they view it larger, or dare I say it ... PRINT it... I think they will be very disappointed with their efforts. In my opinion the single most important thing that you can do to improve your photographs is to hold the camera steady - that means TWO hands, and keeping still while you shoot. I have been taking photographs for over 50 years and still need to focus on stillness under some lighting conditions, and would NEVER dream of using a one handed shot unless I was using a 1/1000 of a sec, or less and I doubt that compacts and phone cams are that fast! It was so noticeable in Venice recently, where hundreds of people were on holidays and just walking up to a scene, raising the camera, taking one shot and walking away!!! Will they have memories or just blurry recollections???

James Ledingham...

... is a talented young violinist who I had the pleasure of photographing a little while ago. Now his concert in support of the Crazy Hats Breast Cancer Charity is coming closer, the posters that use my photography are being displayed around Wellingborough. James also has just arranged to have a CD of his music recorded and I am delighted that the cover will also be one of the pictures that I took at the shoot in my studio.

James is a young man who plays a fantastic looking electric violin and I wnated to capture some thing "rebellious" in his portraits... some attitude, rather than a simple picture of him performing. I hope that I have succeeded! Here is the finished poster, with glorious artwork done by by Milton Bayer.com

Venice...

.. is an amazing place for sure, but I was still overwhelmed by the beauty and sheer style of this city "in the sea". I had formed my ideas of how the city would look, after seeing thousands of pictures and TV films about the area - but was totally unprepared for the whole experience that Venice provides

I was fortunate enough to be there in the time of an aqua alta... a high tide that occurs regularly dependent on the moon and the direction of the winds, and this phenomenon graphically demonstrated the peril that Venetians face all of the time. In the early evening as high tide approached, drain covers and cracks in the paving around St Mark's Square began to ooze water, at first trickling slowly across the heat soaked pavements and then gradually becoming a rapidly spreading pool covering many metres in area; slowly the previous busy square becomes emptier as the crowds move to the perimeters, all the time listening to the orchestras playing on in the outdoors cafes and restaurants. It reminded me of the famous scene in Titanic when the string quartet played as the water began lapping around their ankles! Gradually the individual puddles link up and then the whole of the piazza is transformed in to a beautiful reflecting pool which the joyous visitors paddle and splash in....while the moon (the cause of all the troubles!) sails serenely overhead, and the city waits... will this be a tide like the one in November 1966, when the few inches became a few feet and then 2 yards, drowning many beautiful tiles floors and ancient palazzo steps? Venice is living on the edge of disaster - and the Venetians seem to love every minute of their life!

Gee... it's a G10!

I tried out my e-bay acquired G10 on Friday after getting the Land Rover through it's MoT... and the camera seemed to pass its tests too! It took a little getting used to the size and silence of this little box of tricks after the 5D Mk11, and there were plenty of shots that I was not pleased with... but then I am picky!

After a bit of trial and error in Princethorpe Woods, I found the sweet spot and I was delighted with the results. It will never replace a DSLR for quality, but for convenience and portability there doesn't seem anything to touch Canon's little "sure Shot" model, although nimble finger tips are needed for some of the adjustments