South East London in the sun

New Cross, Deptford, Deptford, New Cross.

FIFTY FACES #10

Slowly but surely we've made it one fifth of the way through the FIFTY FACES project. Please be upstanding for FIFTY FACES #10, the delightful Greg. Greg is unusual in that I had literally not met him once before turning up in Soho Square last Friday to poke a camera in his face; but a more pleasant and willing subject you could not wish to find. We discussed the Royal Wedding and Texas living while I dragged him in front of various trendy ad hoardings to make interesting backdrops. Thanks Greg!

FIFTY FACES #9

Please welcome Anna, FIFTY FACES #9. She's a PhD student, a director, producer and performer (I am meeting some serious underachievers through this project...) You can find out more information on her current projects through her website.

Anna and I spent a deliciously warm and sunny forty minutes taking pictures together in the calming environs of the Geffrye Museum on Kingsland Road. This is one of my top recommendations for things to see and do in London; the museum has a herb and period gardens which are just coming into full bloom.

Spring's only gone and bloody sprung

Just working on my FIFTY FACES images of Anna and Christian, hopefully to appear tomorrow, when I found these three which I shot while waiting to meet the models. I know, I know, pictures of flowers to represent spring, all a bit cheesy, blah blah blah (also hastily edited and posted!) But how can something this pretty fail to uplift you a little bit?

I'll leave you with this poem from Robert Browning, in memory of my grandmother, who loved an English spring.

Home Thoughts from Abroad

I OH, to be in England now that April ’s there And whoever wakes in England sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough          In England—now! II And after April, when Mary follows And the white-throat builds, and all the swallows! Hark, where my blossom’d pear-tree in the hedge Leans to the field and scatters on the clover          Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray’s edge— That ’s the wise thrush: he sings each song twice over Lest you should think he never could re-capture The first fine careless rapture! And, though the fields look rough with hoary dew,          All will be gay when noontide wakes anew The buttercups, the little children’s dower, Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!

FIFTY FACES #8

Now, I can't tell you much about FIFTY FACES #8 because I met him for about 30 seconds, I took one image of him and then he departed from my life forever. Once FIFTY FACES #7 Udall and I had finished our shots outside I was taking a couple in the foyer of the BFI Southbank when our friend below shambled in three sheets to the wind, and tried to make some new chums. When he saw I had a camera he asked if I would take his picture. I positioned him where I wanted him; he suddenly gained some grace, struck this pose, and I got one shot. When I showed him the screen he said 'Is that me?', laughed, kissed my head, told me I was beautiful, shook Udall's hand, and left. A small weird window in an otherwise normal day, but I can't help but love the shot a little more because of it. 

FIFTY FACES #7

Today's brave volunteer is Udall Evans. Udall and I were briefly colleagues last year when I worked on the BFI London Film Festival (I didn't really see daylight for two months, but I did touch James Franco's elbow, so you win you lose). If you're at the BFI, look for out for him and say hi - he's a super friendly and charming chap, and a very natty dresser to boot. Udall is a photographer himself - check out these images on Flickr - and on top of all this became a second-time dad just a few weeks ago! It makes me tired just thinking about all that. Thanks for being FIFTY FACES #7, Udall.

Oh, also, it's pretty obvious that I haven't made the full FIFTY FACES in March...I have up to #11 sorted but that still leaves 39 to go so email me or find me on Twitter if you want to get involved.

FIFTY FACES #5 and #6

Please welcome my delightful pals Annie and Ben. Two more charming and welcoming hosts you could not wish to meet - their beautiful little Camberwell flat is always full of delicious food and lots of laughs. This visit they taught me about the charms of Lidl cold meats and of Modern Gelatine Cookery.

Oh, and thanks to all of you who voted for FIFTY FACES #4 - looks like a unanimous vote for the traffic lights shot! I've been doing quite a lot of close-up shots so I'll be trying out some longer views like the winner.