"... Five Came Back is at times almost overwhelming in its detail and varied subject matter, chronicling so many facets of how film and war intertwined during World War II..."
Read moreFunny...
Love this. Courtesy of the wonderful TIME magazine.
Intimate table detail at The Connaught
I'm being commissioned more and more to shoot smaller weddings in venues with a very intimate feel. It might be a private dining rooms in a luxury boutique hotel or a lovely residence with a family party feel. Yet in every case, the events are very specific in their design and attention to detail is of paramount importance.
One such recent shoot was at The Connaught hotel in the heart of London's Mayfair. This stunning venue dates back to 1815 (when it was called The Coburg) and, in its various incarnations, has always been frequented by the great and good.
Katy and Jonathan had chosen to hold their small wedding ceremony close by - at The Mayfair Library - before they and their party walked through the gardens behind Farm St Church and into Mount Street.
After a relaxed drinks reception the 30 or so guests were treated to a sumptuous meal in The Carlos Room, and it's here we photographically pick up the day, because the detail was absolutely stunning...
Entirely lit by candles, Katy's vision was brought to life by suppliers operating at the very top of their game. I recall walking into the room and being struck by the soft orange hue. The light whispered pure luxury while still being inviting and comfortable - the perfect combination which allowed this tight-knit group of family and friends to enjoy themselves to the full.
So, in the hope the photography reflects the scene, here is a little corner of The Connaught in all its romantic glory.
Below, as usual, are only a few from the set. Click any thumbnail to enlarge...
Wedding photography at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel...
"With drinks over, I shadowed the wedding party all the way to check-in for Paris..."
Read moreToday's 'must read' is...
"...There are many issues with social media, from its corrosion of civic life to its cultural shallowness, but the argument I want to make here is more pragmatic: You should quit social media because it can hurt your career..."
Read moreWedding photography at Kew Gardens...
"... Kew Gardens and a sunny August day, the perfect match. It’s an interesting location on any day of the year, but switch on some lush, bright light and the place just buzzes..."
Read moreCool Stuff: Cinematic bliss - the Oscar contenders...
Oscar buzz is nearly at fever-pitch ahead of this weekend's Academy Awards. So this means I have another few days left to indulge my fascination with the medium.
Read moreLa La Land... fun and dance
"... This is a film that I think will forever change my approach to shooting dancing at weddings..."
Read moreMay the festive force be with you...
This little film will absolutely warm your heart - and that’s my idea of Christmas; a time to think, reflect and feel pretty lucky. You’ll see what I mean.
Read moreDigital=bad. Film=good. Right? No.
It's fashionable these days to knock digital, to somehow suggest film was/is better. It's not. It's just different...
Read moreWedding photography at Fulham Palace
I distinctly recall Christina’s tone. It was almost cautious. “The chapel will be candlelit," she said. "Will that work?”. Of course it would...
Read moreCool stuff: The genius of Caravaggio (updated 31/10/16)
"Many books are described as "unputdownable", but this huge tome truly is something that once opened has you transfixed..."
Read moreFrom The Archive... #30
I love the energy in this shot - it just shouts 'party!!' at you.
It's just one of a series of full-throated sing-a-long images taken during a lovely summer wedding at Kew Gardens. This frame also confirms that any wedding is most definitely a people day. It really could be anywhere and it's timeless, something I try very hard to get across in any given set.
And if you're wondering about the track, it's a classic. Let's just say Freddie Mercury would be proud...
The heartbeat of London (interactive graphic)...
If you travel in town a lot you'll find this fascinating. And possibly it'll explain a few late arrivals.
Oliver O’Brien, a researcher at UCL, took data published by Transport for London (TfL) and created a remarkable analysis of the city's over-subscribed underground railways. TfL recorded the exact number of people exiting and entering tube stations every 15 minutes to build a map of the daily journeys of the city’s millions of commuters.
To my mind this is where the web excels, an amazing piece of work. I originally saw this on Wired magazine's terrific website.
From The Archive... #29
Some fun and a little expectation. Even though this is a simple, quiet shot, there is a lot going on here...
The increasing popularity of the wedding reception photo booth creates many zany and oddball opportunities for shots. When such a facility is present I tend to skulk quietly in the shadows, recording some of the fun and games. By this time of the evening people think of me as part of the day's furniture and I'm thankfully ignored - which is perfect.
I really like the expectation the pointed finger creates as the lady in question urges the last photo to appear. Her gesticulation suggests the final shot is maybe a sight to see and possibly the one in which they 'went for it' ... we'll never know.