Bathroom Encounters that I just had to Photograph

Today is Cuban singer Omara Portuondo’s 90th birthday. I suddenly remembered the time some twenty years ago when I was working at the BBC and encountered her in the Ladies loos. Despite her being a huge star, she was very gracious and obliging, letting me photograph her whilst at the sink washing her hands: I’ve … Read more

Musings on A Tuba to Cuba – Images of Brass and Percussion

I was in New Orleans over the New Year. I’m a big fan of the music and even back at home in London constantly listen to the New Orleans local radio station WWOZ. During my trip I was listening to the station and came across an interesting track. I recognised the melody which I’d sung … Read more

A Few Images of Bars

I recently returned from a short trip to Venice, Italy. Years ago I spent a year there as an art history student, renting a room in the Dorsoduro area. Nowadays  I still find myself staying in that area. I don’t recall this bar from from student days – it has become very popular with locals … Read more

It’s Raining/A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall

It’s been particularly wet the last few days. One of the few positives for me is that it’s a photographic opportunity to capture the landscape from a different perspective.  A flooded section of Highgate West Hill conflates submerged signage and reflected nature and to me evokes a poetic and surreal street abstract. The word STOP, seen … Read more

Mannequins and Street Photography – some new images

Abstract photo with mannequin head, NYC

I’ve posted several blogs in the last few years featuring images I’ve taken of mannequins. I’ve been drawn to photographing mannequins for a number of reasons. In terms of representation I like the ambiguity;  a human, yet not a human. I like the fact they can range from quasi-lifelike to grotesque and non-naturalistic. I like … Read more

Layers Of Time in New Orleans

I was in New Orleans over the new year. Standing on a sidewalk watching a brass band parade, I noticed a weathered telegraph pole and was struck by the multitude of staples combined with fragments of former flyers and posters, embellished with graffiti:     The next image was taken in a different location and … Read more

Signs: dress code and etiquette

I’ve just returned from a short trip to Venice. One of the photos I took was of this sign, seen outside a parish: I noticed the sign and misread it at first; I didn’t realise it was advocating a modest dress code policy. I initially saw the X above the guy’s cap as some kind … Read more

Photographs inspired by earrings

I’ve always loved earrings. I feel like I’ve forgotten something if I go out without earrings, as if I’m not fully dressed, so tend to wear some form of ear embellishment every day even if it is just tiny studs. I was only allowed to pierce my ears when I was well into my teens … Read more

Some portraits from New Orleans

Here’s a picture of a waitress taking a break at Café du Monde: And here’s the barman at a fab restaurant called Kingfish. In addition to the background bottles I like the juxtaposition with the TV monitor and the text caught on screen from a retro TCM film. As opposed to the previous pictures which … Read more