-- MICHAEL ROBERT WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY --

Happy New Year

2012-01-07T17:33:00.003Z

I hope you had a good Christmas & New Year.
I spent mine back with family in the North West and had a great time.
But back to work now, rested and ready for 2012. December was a busy month to finish the year off and 2012 is beginning in a similar style. There will be new work from some of the recent shoots added to the website portfolios soon but first the website itself is being completely updated with a new design which should be up next month. It's coming along well and I'm very happy with the new look.
Anyway, more news soon.
mx

Recent Stuff Update;

2011-11-23T11:08:00.006Z

I've not posted for a little while but it's been a very full period. A number of shoots, including The Maccabees who I'm a fan of, plus meetings; new contacts and future work. Went to Kurran and the Wolfnotes gig in London, I shot them last year for a portrait shoot, and talked with Kurran after the gig - they are recording an album soon, so may do an 'In The Studio' shoot with them during the recording. Look out for them, a great new band.
Also went to my friend Roxanne de Bastion's single release party/gig. I shot the cover for the single (below).

Roxanne de Bastion 'Buckle Up'. 2011.
Photography © Michael Robert Williams

Also took a little, much needed, break. Just a simple week in Spain, drinking lots of wine and eating too much. Note to self - must make time for a proper, long, holiday next year. Took my usual snaps while travelling - here's an almost postcard picture from Malaga... It's really not a sunset - I just really like shooting into the sun :P

Malaga, Spain, Nov 2011 © Michael Robert Williams

Things I heard or saw recently;
Loved the movie 'Drive'.
Loving Lana Del Rey's song 'Video Games'.
Ryan Adams new album 'Ashes & Fire'.
Watching 'Boardwalk Empire'.
Listening to lots of Prince :)

mx

One From The Archives - REM, Live In London;

2011-10-11T16:51:00.005+01:00

Michael Stipe, REM, Live in London, 30th August 2008
© Michael Robert Williams

I thought I'd pull another photograph out of my archives as I've been sorting them out recently. With the news a couple of weeks ago about REM calling it a day, this is a photograph I shot at what turned out to be their very last show in England. I don't shoot gigs very often now, I prefer to actually just watch the show when I'm at a gig, but as an REM fan I decided to get a pass for this one.

Mx

Guillemots Shoot;

2011-09-29T19:40:00.000+01:00

Guillemots, 2011 © Michael Robert Williams

These are a series of portraits from my shoot with Guillemots this summer, photographed out in North London...

Mx

Archives & Unpublished Portraits:

2011-09-01T16:12:00.007+01:00

I've been sorting out my archives, organising the files, etc. Not exciting work in one sense but its been interesting to see many photos I'd forgotten I'd taken. Often only a few portraits from shoots get used at the time and many others never get finished at all. If its a magazine shoot say, and they run four or five photographs from a shoot, there are others that are edited out and not used for whatever reason, maybe they didn't fit the feel of the feature, or were similar to another that was used.
I'll have to find a way to use some as I really like many of them. I'll just put up one example below. Its a shoot I did with Kasabian in 2006 for U.S. magazine Filter. A few portraits ran with the story, one of them is the landscape format portrait of the group on a city rooftop, below. The other two, the playful group shot, and the photograph of singer Tom Meighan on his own were not run with the feature, so I thought I'd share them here today.

One of the published portraits. Kasabian, 2006 © Michael Robert Williams

Tom Meighan, Kasabian, 2006 © Michael Robert Williams

Kasabian, 2006 © Michael Robert Williams

I may post others from sessions but I thought these may be interesting to see as an example. Some may be posted on my Facebook page too, here; Michael Robert Williams FB.

Mx

Behind The Scenes; Klaxons Shoot.

2011-08-23T15:46:00.006+01:00

I've been spending a lot of time recently sorting out archive images, organising, etc. Getting new promo cards and stuff done too, and need to update, maybe completely redo, my print books.

While sorting through files I found these behind the scenes photos taken by my photo assistant Clare Lewington. They were shot during the 2010 shoot with the band Klaxons. I thought I'd post them here as I always like behind the scenes photo's myself :)

Below; one of the finished portraits of
Klaxons © Michael Robert Williams

Opening spread from a magazine feature.

Metronomy; How we wrote... The Bay

2011-07-20T16:20:00.007+01:00

As anyone who follows my Facebook page knows already I love the new Metronomy album The English Riviera. I was lucky enough to spend a little time in the studio with Joseph Mount while it was being made and I heard a few things then and knew it was going to be great. I found this video on the Guardians website and thought I'd share it here too;

These are a few of the photographs I shot while Metronomy were recording The English Riviera
album.

Michael

Bob Dylan On His Work;

2011-07-17T20:41:00.006+01:00

'I take (my work) less seriously than anybody. I know that it's not going to help me into heaven one little bit, man. It's not going to get me out of the fiery furnace. It's certainly not going to extend my life any and it's not going to make me happy.'
-- Bob Dylan, talking in 1966 (from an article on the BBC site here).

I Love This Song;

2011-07-05T20:29:00.004+01:00

Dusk is dawn is day
Where did it go?
I've been laughing
Fast and slow
Moving in a still frame
Howling at the moon
Morning found me laughing
Up and down, down
Low low low
Night suits me fine
And morning suits me fine
I've been so happy
Way up high, high
In between
Down below
Low low low

Low - R.E.M.

Monarchy Portraits;

2011-06-21T17:16:00.006+01:00

These are two of my portraits from my shoot with the electronic duo Monarchy. Their debut album, Around The Sun, is out next month.

Monarchy by Michael Robert Williams ©

The Pierces Portraits;

2011-06-05T15:25:00.004+01:00

A series of portraits from my shoot with US band The Pierces;

The Pierces by Michael Robert Williams

Sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce, The Pierces, photographed in London. Their new album, You & I, was released last month.

A shortish shoot, a few props, two lights...

Michael

Today.

2011-05-02T11:20:00.001+01:00

It's an odd feeling when you wake up and something in the world changed overnight while you were sleeping.

Garry Winogrand Quote On Photography;

2011-04-28T10:19:00.001+01:00

'I like to think of photographing as a two-way act of respect. Respect for the medium by letting it do what it does best, describe. And respect for the subject by describing it as it is. A photograph must be responsible to both.
I photograph to see what things look like photographed.'
-- Garry Winogrand.

The Bends;

2011-04-23T11:51:00.003+01:00

Its been a long time and there have been many others since but, after buying the 3 disc version and playing it all over again, I’ve fallen in love again with Radiohead's ‘The Bends’...

Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out), Live at The Astoria

That's it, all I have to say today.
M

Last Week;

2011-03-26T19:59:00.003Z

Hi...

The last week has been good, a couple of shoots & meetings, but mainly planning next weeks crazy week of shooting. I did photograph one of my favourite new bands this week - a short shoot in Kentish Town with Two Wounded Birds just before their gig. Check out their songs, I love 'Night Patrol' - great band;

Night Patrol by Two Wounded Birds

Also while I'm talking about music - OK, so I love Rumours era Fleetwood Mac, but check out this great cover of 'The Chain' by Florence & The Machine;

Hard song to cover well - its so well known, and that bass line!

Michael

Facebook & Twitter Links;

2011-03-20T17:43:00.008Z

Hi - I've been asked about these before in emails sent to me, yes I do have a Facebook page. I do use it for those shorter, random updates that don't go on here. There is Twitter too which sometimes gets even shorter messages, but really what can you say in 140 characters :P

These are the links to my pages on those sites;

Michael Robert Williams Photography on Facebook.

Michael Robert Williams Photography on Twitter.

Plus my website; www.michaelwilliams.co.uk

Recent work updates will be coming soon.
Michael

1970's Fleetwood Mac...

2011-02-27T20:11:00.004Z

Just because;

Fleetwood Mac 'Rhiannon'

Fleetwood Mac 'Dreams' (Circa 1977)

1970's Fleetwood Mac :)
Stevie Nicks is one of the greatest singers ever (and one of the hottest, lets be honest). I want to go back in time Michael J Fox style and photograph Fleetwood Mac then, maybe document the whole Rumours period.
I'm having a major 70's music phase right now...

'It was my 16th birthday - my mom and dad gave me my Goya classical guitar that day. I sat down, wrote this song, and I just knew that that was the only thing I could ever really do - write songs and sing them to people.'
-- Stevie Nicks.

Michael

Website Updates - Feb 2011;

2011-02-07T15:51:00.005Z

My website, www.michaelwilliams.co.uk, has just been updated. It's now had some new work added, including the portraits below of The Pierces, Klaxons, Carl Barat, and Underworld.

www.michaelwilliams.co.uk

The Pierces © Michael Robert Williams

Klaxons © Michael Robert Williams

Carl Barat © Michael Robert Williams

Underworld © Michael Robert Williams

January 2011.

2011-01-31T10:32:00.009Z

It's the end of January already. Quick update; 2011 got started with a few shoots in London and one in Sheffield. After shooting in Sheffield I went for a drive across the Peak District and went to visit my family in Cheshire, shot the snap below of the sun setting over the Peak District - yep it was so nice & peaceful I even shot the sunset!

Driving across the Peak District, Jan 2011.

On my playlist this month has been; Band of Horses, Jane's Addiction, The Gaslight Anthem, Lissie, The Naked & Famous, and REM. I finally got around to watching 'The Social Network', which I really liked, and watched 'The Fighter' (Christian Bale is always so good), and watched the experimental film 'Howl', featuring a fantastic central performance from James Franco as Allen Ginsberg.

The website is being updated soon with portraits of artists including Carl Barat, Underworld, The Pierces, Monarchy, and Klaxons.

Michael

'Not all those who wander are lost.'

2011-01-04T12:01:00.005Z

Happy New Year!

OK I know it's the 4th already but I wasn't going anywhere near a computer for the first few days - time off n all that...

Now I'm starting to think about work again. I have things I want to do this year. I'm planning. Thinking about work and personal plans - these things all kind of blur into one for me; 'life plans' I guess.

'When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.'
- Lao Tzu

'You cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.'
- Albert Camus

'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'
- Lao Tzu

'Not all those who wander are lost.'
- J.R.R. Tolkien

I'm excited about what 2011 may bring.
Happy New Year everyone.

Michael

News; December 2010 - Happy Holidays.

2010-12-30T13:22:00.009Z

I hope everyone's having a great Christmas. I'm away for the holidays, spending most of the Christmas period with family in the North West. Already eaten far too much and drinking even more - every Christmas I think to myself I'll be more careful this time... Oh well, next year...
I'm having a longer break this Christmas, I had my last shoot of the year, a portrait of Carl Barat, mid-December then left London. I love the Christmas holidays, everything shuts down and I get real time off to see friends and family. I get to sleep in, and watch lots of films too. I don't even mind the repeated movies that are on every year - I'm a big film fan and a lot of films I like are usually on during the holidays, and I certainly don't mind Casablanca being on again - I'm a huge Bogart fan.

So I'm basically;
Drinking lots of red wine, vodka, and cocktails.
Listening to Laura Marling, Lissie, Gaslight Anthem, Fleetwood Mac, Arcade Fire... Hmmm noticing a kinda sound there.
Watching lots of movies, and Californication (I love this show and had season one for Christmas so I'm watching it again). Oh, but I would like back the time I spent watching the awful Case 39, I don't often mention dislikes here but that was the worst film I've seen in ages and thought I'd warn others. There, good deed done!

I'm off to do more visiting & drinking :)
Have a great New Years celebration!

Michael

November.

2010-11-28T11:30:00.004Z

November has been good. There has been shoots with Underworld, The Naked and Famous, Monarchy, and Cloud Control. But I took some time off too during November and went away, a relaxing, recharging break in Barcelona. I love Barcelona. I should move there one day. Well there or Berlin, or New York. Maybe. But I'm staying in London for now. Good to have some time out and relax, and enjoy warmer weather. Walking around the city, evenings sitting in bars, also taking some photos but not had them processed yet, I took my old 35mm and shot film for the first time in ages. Reading 'R.E.M. Fiction', and as well as R.E.M. I've been listening to a lot of 1970's Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Led Zeppelin. Also love the new CD by Warpaint, 'The Fool'.

Below are two portraits from a recent shoot with Charlotte Dellal, shoe designer & creator of Charlotte Olympia shoes.

Charlotte Dellal, Charlotte Olympia shoes © Michael Robert Williams

Michael

'Here Was The Great Master.'

2010-10-30T11:34:00.004+01:00

'I was in awe of Robert Frank. Here was the great master. I couldn't believe that I was able to watch him work for a few days, that I was actually in the room where Robert Frank was loading his camera. He picked up my camera once. I was terrified. He held it. It was like being with God. He said to me, "You can't get every picture." That was comforting advice. You do miss things. You're attached to this machine. To its timing. Things are moving in front of you and you're supposed to capture them, but it's not always possible. Robert Frank didn't seem to be missing anything, though. He was tireless. He never stopped working.'
- Annie Leibovitz, from her book 'At Work'.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool Portraits;

2010-10-07T14:44:00.005+01:00

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool © Michael Robert Williams

A set of my portraits of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Their fantastic album 'The Golden Year' is out next week. The build up to its release has been overshadowed by the tragic death of frontman Charles Haddon. It was with great sadness that I heard about the loss of Charles, he was a great guy and a musician only just at the beginning of his journey. Talking to him his passion for music was clear and I'm glad the band and his family are going ahead with the release of his music.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool

Recent Work; La Roux Cover.

2010-09-26T16:01:00.006+01:00

La Roux, 2010 © Michael Robert Williams

I'll post some recent work here over the next couple of weeks. This is my La Roux cover portrait for US magazine 944, shot this summer. A few more have now been added to my website too.
La Roux is really good to photograph, she really understands the process and is happy to put in the time for a good shoot. I love the portraits we produced from the day.

Mx

August Catch-Up;

2010-08-28T16:58:00.000+01:00

My first and probably only post in August, I've been away for much of the month having finally taken the long-awaited break. A sailing holiday first around the South West coast of England, then some time away visiting family and friends too.
There were a couple of shoots in August before I went away, I photographed Klaxons, and Mystery Jets. I'll post new portraits soon. Some recent portraits from over the last few months have recently been added to my website; La Roux, Kate Nash, Eliza Doolittle, Yeasayer, and Bonobo were all recently added.

Off The South West Coast of England, 2010 © Michael Robert Williams

News Update; July 2010...

2010-07-29T14:42:00.009+01:00

Lissie © Michael Robert Williams

I went to see the new American singer Lissie play in London last night. I photographed Lissie recently and her album is one of my favourites at the moment, so I was looking forward to the gig, and I really enjoyed it. It was in the ICA, a great place for a gig as it has an intimate feel. Lissie seemed to enjoy it too and was very relaxed while performing. A highlight for me was 'In Sleep', I love this one on the album, its a little reminiscent of 1970's era Fleetwood Mac - which I have a soft spot for I must admit. We even got a guest during the encore, Ellie Goulding came on to perform a song with Lissie.
It was a really good, relaxing evening after what has been a really busy period. There have been a lot of shoots recently but I'm going to be taking a break for some of August, I'll be away seeing family and friends for a week or so, and I'll be going sailing for a week too.

Its good to stop for a moment now though, I need a break - and its also an opportunity to kinda assess the first half of the year - its been really interesting this year and I've really enjoyed the work. There has been a lot of music shoots, with Kate Nash twice for US & UK magazines, Eliza Doolittle, Biffy Clyro, The Drums, also Lissie of course, and others.
Most recent was photographing La Roux for a cover story for a US magazine as she embarks on her US tour and American promo for her album. That was a really good shoot, I'm really happy with the results. Maybe my best work this year, setting things up nicely for when I return from my breaks away. I guess like many photographers I'm very hard on myself in terms of assessing my own work, but sometimes you know when its gone well and that shoot seemed like the culmination of a few ideas and things I'd been working on this year coming together. I'll post some of the La Roux portraits here or on my portfolio site next week.

Kate Nash © Michael Robert Williams

Me Profiled In 'Digital SLR User Magazine'.

2010-07-22T12:50:00.007+01:00

More shameless self-promotion in this post I'm afraid...
The new issue of 'Digital SLR User Magazine' (UK, Cover date August 2010) is out, and has an eight-page profile on my photography. I'm interviewed about my background and my approach to my work, my love of music, and the feature includes a selection of my portraits. The picture above shows the opening spread showing my portrait of Kasabian.

Mx

'A Documentation Of The Encounter.'

2010-07-12T08:31:00.003+01:00

'Portraiture in the past has been regarded as a documentation of a person but for me it is a documentation of the encounter between myself and the subject. It is not meant to reveal them, nor is it meant to subject them to an X-ray; it is a departure from that.'
- Steven Klein.

Michael Robert Williams - Ian Brown Portrait Prints.

2010-06-13T11:07:00.005+01:00

Ian Brown © Michael Robert Williams

Just a quick update post regarding prints. I get emails often asking about prints of my work. As those who have enquired know I do make some of my portraits available as prints. These are signed & titled below the image by myself. A few new portraits are now available including this portrait of Stone Roses legend Ian Brown.
If you'd like to know more just email for more details.Michael Robert Williams Photography

Mx

Recent Work; Daisy Dares You.

2010-05-31T13:05:00.003+01:00

I've photographed a lot of bands & musicians so far this year, including Kate Nash (twice), Yeasayer, The Drums, Jónsi (of Sigur Rós), Lissie, Two Door Cinema Club, Bonobo, and Biffy Clyro. These are some of the portraits from a recent shoot with Daisy Dares You (aka Daisy May Keeley Coburn) in London.

Daisy Dares You, 2010 © Michael Robert Williams

Personal Photographs - Coney Island, NYC.

2010-05-27T14:21:00.009+01:00

I was editing some work and going over some older photographs when I found these I took three years ago. They are all taken during one day walking around Coney Island in NYC. I've never done anything with them, or even had good prints made yet, but I liked the photographs and thought I'd put them up here. These are just rough scans.

Coney Island, NYC, 2007 © Michael Robert Williams

Me Profiled In 'Digital Photographer' Magazine.

2010-05-02T12:55:00.008+01:00

All about self-promotion right now...
The latest issue of 'Digital Photographer' magazine (UK, Issue 95) is just out, and has a five-page profile on yours truly, interviewed about my background and talking about my work.

Also, my website has had an update too, a number of new portraits added, including Beach House, Daisy Dares You, Lightspeed Champion, and Delphic.

Lightspeed Champion © Michael Robert Williams

'What is the truth of a photograph?'

2010-04-17T11:13:00.003+01:00

'What is the truth of a photograph? The minute you put make-up on someone, the minute you brush the hair, you turn on the light, you are already altering reality.'
-- David LaChapelle.

Jim Marshall

2010-03-26T17:26:00.005Z

I only just picked up this news, Jim Marshall died on the 24th March. Its a strange thing that news of some peoples death makes the front pages while others pass without the public at large really knowing at all, but Jim Marshall was one of the true greats of photography. He was a hugely influential photographer, mainly photographing musicians and making his name in the 1960's with iconic photographs of artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. All of those that came after, from Annie Leibovitz to Anton Corbijn, owe a debt to Jim Marshall.

Bob Dylan, New York, 1963, by Jim Marshall

Johnny Cash at San Quentin Prison, 1969, by Jim Marshall

Janis Joplin, San Francisco, 1968, by Jim Marshall

Jimi Hendrix at Monterey Pop Festival, 1967, by Jim Marshall

"This 'career' has never been just a job — it’s been my life."
-- Jim Marshall.

Behind The Scenes; Kate Nash Shoot.

2010-03-15T13:30:00.013Z

A look behind the scenes of the Kate Nash shoot I did in January. The shoot was done in a bar I hired in Covent Garden, London, and the crew was; Stylist Rebekah Roy, Hair by Corrado Tevere, Makeup by Claudine Henderson, and Photography Assistant was Clare Lewington (who also shot these candid behind the scenes photos).

Kate & Hair Stylist Corrado discuss the look for the shoot.

From left; Kate, Me, and Corrado.

Discussing the portraits and directing Kate.

Kate and stylist Rebekah.

Kate & I celebrate a successful shoot.

Thank you to all involved, and to Kate who was brilliant, and a big thank you to Clare for the photos. I'll post the finished portraits too in the coming weeks.

Mx

'You Want To Do Some Version Of What You Already Think I Am.'

2010-02-27T09:02:00.003Z

'You don't really wanna get to know me or photograph my soul, you want to do some version of what you already think I am and then expose something that you believe is hidden.'
-- Lady Gaga talking about magazine photoshoots.
Interviewed in Q Magazine (cover date April 2010).

'I Hate Remembering.'

2010-01-28T22:35:00.009Z

'I hate remembering. Its all past.'
- Brian Eno, interviewed in 2009.

I know I talk about music a lot and this post is no exception. I watched the profile of Brian Eno on BBC4, which was followed by an hour of music Eno has been involved in - whether solo, or with David Bowie, Roxy Music, Talking Heads, etc. The profile was excellent, with Eno actually talking about his work and life. He's been directly involved with some of my favourite albums, including Bowie's 'Low'.

It was funny to me to hear him say he hates remembering. I have such an awful memory that I think its one reason I take so many photographs, I take photographs of places I visit, things I do, people I know... I forget things so easily, so the photographs are like a part of my memory, helping me remember, they fill in the blanks.

But it was really interesting to hear him discuss the music he's been involved in, as performer, composer, or producer. Or all three.
The word genius is used too often to describe people, but I think in Eno's case it applies.

Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, and David Bowie at work in the studio in Berlin, circa 1977 © C. Simonpietri

Recent Shoots (& Laugh Tracks);

2010-01-20T15:07:00.006Z

2010 got off to a busy start. There have been shoots with Biffy Clyro, Kate Nash, Delphic, Two Door Cinema Club, and others already. Went to Delphic's gig after the shoot too, really enjoyed it.
Wish it wasn't so cold here however, the UK started 2010 with a big freeze. OK for most shoots as they've been mainly inside, but photographed Biffy Clyro in the rooftop outside bar of the Soho hotel they were staying in. 7pm on a rooftop high above Soho, a freezing January night - one of those times where you shoot fast then go for a drink :P

There're a lot of films out now I want to see but not found the time yet. Did see 'Up In The Air' which I thought was good.

Actually, on the subject of movies I love this clip of 'The Shining' with a laugh track, I may never be able to watch the film in the same way again :)

Found via Dev Hynes's film blog.

Mx

Again In No Particular Order...

2010-01-03T18:12:00.000Z

I have to admit I like end of year best of lists - Top 10's of the year etc. I always read the end of years lists in magazines - and then of course I moan about the ones I don't agree with and think 'really, how, why, what are you thinking putting that in there?'
I don't mean all lists - I can live with and find interesting a 10 best list, but I get annoyed by those '100 Greatest Ever.........(Whatever It Is)' run downs that are just an excuse for 5 hours of cheap TV on a Saturday night.
But anyway, after reading the best albums of the year lists in the various music magazines over Christmas I started thinking which albums I'd loved that were released over the last year, and so made my provisional list of favourite albums of 2009.
So, and in no particular order (cop-out/noncommittal), 10 of the albums from 2009 that I liked;

The Dead Weather - Horehound (I think I love just about anything Jack White's involved in)
Florence & The Machine - Lungs
Wild Beasts - Two Dancers
The XX - XX (One of the best debuts)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
White Lies - To Lose My Life
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers
Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
REM - Live At The Olympia, Dublin (Yeah, I know its a live album, but I went over to see them play at the Olympia and it reminds me of how great it was to see them play this really intimate theatre.)

This was hard, there were a lot of great new bands appearing this year, and more to come next year, so its a mix of established and new artists.
Actually once I finished writing down these ten others started to come to me that I'd loved this year, so Fever Ray 'Fever Ray' and Animal Collective 'Merriweather Post Pavillion' could easily have been in the ten, and I'm sure once I hit 'Publish' others will come to mind......

Mx

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T16:38:00.004Z

Happy New Year to everyone, I hope 2010 is an amazing year for you, and your year is full of joy, success, and love :)

1st Jan 2010 (I seem to have shot lots of trees & sun this Christmas)

Merry Christmas, Etc...

2009-12-25T16:08:00.005Z

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays...... Etc...... :)
I'm away visiting my family in the North-West.
Its a white Christmas. Snow on the ground, and there was a beautiful blue sky this afternoon.
Beautiful day. Nice to be away for a while.

The sun is dropping now and the snow is starting to melt already.
Had a great relaxed day. Ate too much.
Huge lunch at parents. Always good :)

Resting for a while now before doing anything this evening.
Mx

Parents house, Congleton, 25th Dec, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Snow in parents garden, 25th Dec, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Far From Where I'm Supposed To Be...

2009-12-14T13:51:00.006Z

'I was born very far from where I'm supposed to be, and so I'm on my way home.'
-- Bob Dylan, interviewed in No Direction Home.

I really like this quote from Dylan, talking about his work & life in the Martin Scorsese 2005 documentary 'No Direction Home'.
I love Bob Dylan's music and today I've been listening to Dylan all morning while working.
Tried to work out my favourite Dylan songs while I was busy editing photos, but realised it changes all the time, one day to the next - from one mood to another.
So all I have is 10 I love today, in no particular order;

- Love Minus Zero/No Limit
- Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
- Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
- It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
- Like A Rolling Stone
- It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
- I Want You
- Desolation Row
- Shelter From The Storm
- Simple Twist Of Fate

That's today, this could easily be different tomorrow.
Dylan is on my Wish-List of portraits..... maybe one day.....
Michael

Something Old.

2009-11-10T13:54:00.009Z

Portishead, Paris © Michael Robert Williams

While editing some work this week I found this portrait of Portishead from the shoot in France last year. It wasn't used at the time, but I really like it now. Beth is really happy, playing around. She's completely out of focus but I don't mind that, I like what it captures.
I just loved seeing it again so I thought I'd share..........

Mx

Recent Work; 'Wild Beasts' Shoot.

2009-10-31T10:48:00.011Z

Wild Beasts, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

These are a few portraits from a quick session with Wild Beasts recently. They were about to head off to do a live radio interview that came up so we shot fast in about 20 minutes outside in Hackney, East London.

Wild Beasts, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Its never ideal having to really rush a shoot but these came out OK. Not time to really experiment with more backgrounds but I do love the trees rising up behind them.
Great band - Their 'Two Dancers' is one of my albums of the year I think.

Michael

Meetings & Watching Movies.

2009-10-18T13:54:00.006+01:00

Week of meetings. Some to meet new people, which is always good, and some to discuss upcoming work. But a meeting about a shoot still fees like a strange thing to have, talking about what to shoot & how - I'd prefer to just shoot. If you like the work I make just let me make it.... A bit simplistic maybe but its often what ends up happening anyway even after the meeting.

Relaxing weekend after the long week.
Went to see '(500) Days Of Summer' & 'District 9' this week, both of which I enjoyed.

Mx

News & Stuff - September;

2009-09-28T13:39:00.013+01:00

The Temper Trap, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

I've been quiet here and not posting much over the past month but I've been busy working. I'll post a lot of new portraits from recent shoots soon once they're out there. This portrait above is an outtake from a very fast recent shoot with The Temper Trap. We had about 2 minutes on a rooftop before the rain suddenly came pouring down. I've been doing a lot of shoots inside with lights over the past few months, then the day I head out to shoot again it rains. Gotta love English weather. What happened to the summer............

This is another portrait from the session with Speech Debelle. I went back over the session and found this portrait that I'd edited out first time around but now really like.

Speech Debelle, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

When not working I've been listening to & loving Brendan Benson's new album, and track 'I Am Not A Robot' by Marina & the Diamonds, and Wild Beasts, and The XX, and lots of 1970's Bowie albums :)
Also watched Season 2 of True Blood (current favourite show), and new Californication.
Great shows.
Mx

Joy.

2009-08-30T17:38:00.006+01:00

Joy © Michael Robert Williams :)

Got up this morning, made coffee, and went to my desk with coffee to check my email. It's a beautiful morning and the sunlight is pouring in through the window and I sit down to see the light make the word 'Joy' on my desk as it passed through a glass.
This tiny little scene put me in a good mood for the whole morning, despite the sun not lasting very long sadly.
Simple things.

Its a long holiday weekend and I'm taking it easy. Nice to just have time to drift a little for a weekend. Read the paper, listen to music, I've been listening to a lot of Bowie this week.
I love the Aladdin Sane album. And Hunky Dory. And Low.
I may do some editing tomorrow but today is lazy.
m

'An Idea Begins To Take Shape...'

2009-08-21T11:41:00.003+01:00

'I have a very mystical and spiritual approach to photography, which I can't explain. An idea begins to take shape, a dream coming to life, a memory awakening, and it is then that I open the curtain and prepare a reflector; it just takes a little light and a little courage to make a photograph. Every photograph enters the world as a sign of hope.'
-- Paolo Roversi.

10 Questions For Annie Leibovitz;

2009-08-14T06:23:00.011+01:00

I've only just seen this short interview with Annie Leibovitz from a few months ago but I found it interesting;

I know I've mentioned Leibovitz's work before, she is one of the photographers I respect, so its interesting to hear her comments, especially about when a shoot is working or it isn't. It's only a very short interview, I'd like to hear more. She is one of the legends. I love a lot of her work, but especially from the 1970's, her Rolling Stone years.
Two of her Rolling Stone covers from that period are below;

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - RS 191, July 17, 1975

The Blues Brothers - RS 285, February 22, 1979

Recent Work; Little Boots Portraits, Etc...

2009-08-09T22:28:00.009+01:00

Little Boots, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

These are six of the portraits from my session with Little Boots recently. They have been added to the website portfolios too. The site was updated recently with some of the portraits from the last few months.
I'm very happy with the Little Boots portraits. I'm shooting more often like this now.
Its funny, when I first started out I was mainly just using natural light, no styling, shooting Black & White, and often just me and the person being photographed were there. The work has gradually had more added, and evolved I guess. Now I still sometimes shoot very simply with natural light, etc, like with the Speech Debelle portraits, put up here recently, but more often the shoots are bigger productions, using controlled lighting, styling, assistants, and carefully selected locations.
There are things I enjoy in both approaches, it depends what I'm trying to achieve. During the past two weeks I've photographed the band Wild Beasts outside for a quick 30 minute session in natural light in Hackney. Also controlled flash-lit portraits of Brendan Benson at the hotel he was staying at in London, but then also photographed Pixie Lott inside with a crew including styling, and hair & make-up.
I like the variety, and I'm really enjoying my recent shoots. I'll post more new portraits here very soon.

Michael

Little Boots, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

'What kind of photograph shall I take today?'

2009-07-29T09:47:00.004+01:00

'I ask myself, what kind of photograph shall I take today? Where can I go with this portrait? Who is this person? Can we give them a role? Will they want to play? What will we discover?'
-- Mario Sorrenti, 2007.

Michael Robert Williams Limited Edition Signed Prints.

2009-06-20T12:05:00.008+01:00

Although most of my portraits are available to purchase as signed prints, I'm very happy to say that six of my music portraits, including Portishead, The Killers, and Oasis are now available to purchase as limited edition signed prints from rockarchive. I'm thrilled to be a part of this and I love what they are doing there. You can see the six of mine that are available here at rockarchive.com. These six portraits are now exclusively available through rockarchive's site and galleries.
Each portrait is limited to just 100 numbered prints, and each signed by myself.
This was a carefully chosen selection showing six of my favourite portraits of six different artists I've photographed.
The prices at rockarchive are kept low to start with so everyone can afford to collect prints, then rise as the edition sells out.

I hope you like them too.
Many thanks to Jill & Stuart for allowing me to join the fun and be a part of the RA family.

Michael Robert Williams.

Recent Work: Speech Debelle

2009-05-25T15:56:00.007+01:00

Speech Debelle, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Two of the portraits from my recent shoot with the brilliant Speech Debelle, shot on location in South London.

Speech Debelle, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Speech Debelle, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Little Diamonds

2009-05-14T13:13:00.007+01:00

This year is vanishing far too quickly - how did it get to May already?!!?
My sister gets married in two weeks. I keep thinking its way off but its nearly here. I'll go back home for a week or so again.
Work-wise its been mainly music again recently.
There are a lot of really interesting new artists right now in the UK and I've been lucky enough to photograph a few of them over recent weeks. I've shot portraits of Little Boots, Marina & the Diamonds, A1 Bassline, and Speech Debelle. Marina's 'I Am Not A Robot' is brilliant! I've been listening to it a lot, it makes me smile :)
I also photographed the lovely DJ and presenter Annie Mac at Koko (maybe my favourite music venue in London).
One of my portraits of A1 Bassline is the only one of these recent portraits that I can post yet but more will come soon.

A1 Bassline, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

News & Stuff...

2009-04-11T18:38:00.006+01:00

I've been a little quiet with posts recently but I have been busy working. I photographed Darker My Love, Adam Ficek, Will and the People, Ou Est, and a bunch of other new bands over recent weeks. I'll post some portraits here once they are published and out there...

Outside of working I've been trying not to think about the economy. I've been listening to Cat Power, Bat For Lashes, and lots of Tom Waits recently.
And watching box sets of old Northern Exposure. I used to love that show when it was on, I remember watching it on 4 in the 90's. It doesn't seem as surreal now as it did then but still loving it - One of the best TV shows ever :)

'Most portraits are lies.'

2009-03-29T11:42:00.000+01:00

'Most portraits are lies. People are rarely what they appear to be, especially in front of a camera.'
-- Duane Michals.

Recent Work; 'White Lies' and others...

2009-02-26T13:03:00.007Z

White Lies, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

These are two of the portraits from the recent shoot with the White Lies. The shoot went really well and I'm really happy with the results. I love the lighting on the first portrait.
Really enjoyed their album. Really nice guys to work with too.

White Lies, 2009 © Michael Robert Williams

Below is one of the portraits from the shoot with the Howling Bells. I've photographed the Howling Bells before, about two years ago, but I prefer the portraits I shot this time.
Last portrait is of brand new group Gold Teeth, whose single 'Everybody' is released this month.
Could be a great year for them.
It seems I'm having a colour & flash phase...

Howling Bells © Michael Robert Williams

Gold Teeth © Michael Robert Williams

'You have got all that stuff out there...'

2009-02-22T10:35:00.001Z

'Photography is so entwined in my life. It’s like anything else. You have got all that stuff out there and you only allow so much into your frame. It’s the same thing. Every word in the world is out there and somebody puts 15 of them together and makes something that somebody else wouldn’t make.
If 50 years of doing it meant that every time you picked up the camera you made a good one you wouldn’t have to take many. I make a lot of stupid pictures. Most of them are stupid because I’m trying to figure where to be or where to focus. I don’t think the problems are any different now. I grow wiser as time passes only because I know a little bit more about what is possible, only because I’ve done it for so long. I am used to being a craftsman. But maybe it’s not that. Maybe it’s infatuation.'
-- Lee Friedlander, 2002.

Cramps Founder Lux Interior Dies.

2009-02-05T19:50:00.007Z

Lux Interior © Michael Robert Williams

I just found out the sad news that Lux Interior, singer and founding member of legendary punk group The Cramps, died this week.
I photographed Lux a few years ago, with his wife and co-founder of The Cramps Poison Ivy.
He was a fascinating person. Music has lost one of its real characters and pioneers.

'Rock ’n’ roll has absolutely nothing to do with music. It’s much more than music. Rock ’n’ roll is who you are.'
- Lux Interior. 1946 - 2009.

Recent Work; 'Cage The Elephant' Portraits

2009-01-06T10:28:00.003Z

Brad & Matt, Cage The Elephant, London © Michael Robert Williams

These are a couple of portraits from the shoot late last year with Cage the Elephant. It was a very short shoot, outdoors in London. Late in the day, no lights, no stylist, back to basics - but the top portrait of the two brothers is one of my favourites of my own from recent months I think.

Cage The Elephant, London © Michael Robert Williams

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T16:10:00.008Z

New Year's Day, Congleton

Happy New Year. Its 2009. And it's started with a dark, grey, cold day.
Booooo.....
So its all up from here... :)

Got up feeling really good and excited about a new year. I like the New Year. A chance to draw a line under the previous and start fresh.
Hope you had a great New Year's Eve, and best wishes for 2009!

Michael

Visiting family for Christmas...

2008-12-30T16:12:00.010Z

Sunrise, Astbury Lake, Congleton © Michael Robert Williams

I'm back in Congleton for a few days visiting my family. It seems that whenever I'm back here where I grew up I get nostalgic and sentimental.
I got up early and took a walk around the lake. Its only a short walk from my parents house. It was a really beautiful morning, one of those great winter mornings - but freezing cold.
I love this lake. This still feels like one of the places where I learnt to photograph. All those times I dragged my younger brother over here for another 'photo session' - me trying to compose moody portraits, thinking I was Anton Corbijn shooting some band somewhere instead of my brother at the lake.
I think sometimes when I'm on a shoot now somewhere in the back of my mind I'm still at this lake...
Its just a really beautiful place. But sadly parts of it are being built on now, it makes me wonder how long the place I grew up will still be here. More houses are being built around parts of the lake. I personally wish they would leave this area alone.

Sunrise, Astbury Lake, Congleton © Michael Robert Williams

Astbury Lake, Congleton © Michael Robert Williams

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T17:11:00.012Z

Hello...... It's been a little nuts over the last month - lots of end of year stuff to finish, deadlines, etc... So I'm sorry about the lack of new posts, and I'd been trying to be so much better about it too :p

I'll post some recent portraits etc very soon.
Will be better in the new year.
And on that note I hope you have a great holiday & best wishes for the New Year!

Thank you to everyone who helped this year - old friends, new friends... everyone I worked with :)
Merry Christmas!
Looking forward to 2009!

Best,
Michael

Samit Patel Portraits.

2008-11-08T19:32:00.009Z

Recent portraits of Nottinghamshire and England cricketer Samit Patel photographed recently at The Oval in London. I shot a mix of portraits but these are two of my favourites.
I've been working in Black & White again more recently. I used to shoot mostly B&W but over the last couple of years its been about 90% colour, but I love B&W photographs.

News, stuff...

2008-11-05T11:47:00.007Z

I'm tired today, I stayed up all night watching the US election. Sitting drinking a lot of coffee and editing images from two recent shoots to help keep me awake, and watching as results came in from the many states. I wished I could have voted too. But the end result was good, the right man won.

I've been working on music shoots recently. Photographed Cage the Elephant, and Alberta Cross, and a couple of new London bands. I'll post images here when I can.
I can post some recent portraits later this week.

I need a holiday, I was hoping to do something late in the year but the economy means I'm watching what I spend. There are a few people I've been planning to visit but I will have to wait until next year I think.
Everyone is watching what they spend.
Its been a strange year in every way. Lots of change. I need time to think about my personal life too, I think about work a lot, but I need to think about my personal life more.
I think I have a lot on my mind.

But back to work...

Rockarchive at Proud Soho.

2008-10-25T12:47:00.003+01:00

I just thought I'd make a quick post about an exhibition I went to see, the Rockarchive exhibition at Proud Soho gallery. It's to celebrate Rockarchive's 10th anniversary. Started by Jill Furmanovsky, Rockarchive sells music-based images by a number of top photographers (including Kevin Westenberg, Gered Mankowitz, Kevin Cummins, Mick Rock, and of course Jill herself).
For anyone who loves music and photography a show like this is a must-see. Amazing current and archive images of artists including Radiohead, Oasis, David Bowie, Blondie, Iggy Pop, James Brown, Jeff Buckley, U2...
What can I say, I loved it. Seeing all of these great images, the beautiful prints, I wanted to take too many home.

Quick Update.

2008-10-07T10:34:00.002+01:00

Over the last month a few new portraits have been added to the website portfolios. Also, among others, I photographed Nottinghamshire and England cricketer Samit Patel, and did a portrait shoot for Cosmopolitan magazine.

'You Can Fill In The Rest...'

2008-09-21T17:44:00.003+01:00

'I really want to take pictures that say more than a studio shot. Mine are just snapshots but you can fill in the rest. I hope they have enough reality to make them last.' -- Anton Corbijn

Recent Work; Oasis

2008-09-15T11:21:00.005+01:00

Some of the portraits from the recent Oasis shoot. Having photographed them before I wanted to get very different portraits this time from the ones I'd done before. I've been doing more studio shoots and this lighting is something I've been playing with recently...

These two will be added to the website portfolio this month too. They are my two favourites from the session.

Err, Rain, Rain, Oasis, REM...

2008-08-31T19:06:00.012+01:00

August is almost over and what happened to the summer? I know it's a joke about the English weather but really, how bad was this summer! Rain, rain, rain. I missed the sun, I'm sure dark wet days affect my mood.

But the sun did make it out yesterday when I went to see REM play in London. I've been a big REM fan for a long time and have seen them a number of times, but I think Stipe was on fine form last night. I'd arranged a pass so I took a few photos. I don't really shoot live images usually, it's not something I do as work, but I've done it a couple of times recently just for fun, and I guess it gave me a chance to play with the digital SLR again (hmmm, discovered I need more lens options.....)

August consisted of some meetings, some photo work, and some time off (thinking I'd enjoy some summer sun, hmmmm - didn't really appear, I think I'll have to go away later in the year...)
I photographed Oasis again, group portraits & individual. Very different portraits to the last time I photographed them, I'll put some up as soon as I can.

As Though I Had Forgotten To Wake Up

2008-08-27T10:06:00.001+01:00

'If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up.' -- Robert Mapplethorpe

Athena's Gig, London

2008-08-02T17:24:00.008+01:00

Now I'm back in London it's all work again. I had a few meetings this week and a shoot, and had to make plans for next weeks shoot with a band. I did take Thursday evening off and I went to see my friend Athena play an outdoor show at the National Theatre on London's South Bank. I've worked with Athena for years, shooting press portraits etc. She's such a great person to work with and a great musician with a fantastic voice. She's had a busy year so far as her recent album really started to take off.
I had a camera with me at the gig so I took a few photos of Athena's show, one of which is above.

Recent Work; 'The Subways' Shoot.

2008-08-02T15:53:00.007+01:00

This is one of the portraits from my recent shoot with 'The Subways'. Others will be posted up once they have run in the US. Most of the portraits were shot with the band wearing specific clothing for a US clothing label, these are not up yet, this was one of the reasons why I decided the shoot was in studio and lit this way.

Back In London.

2008-07-26T12:50:00.003+01:00

I'm finally back in London after time away visiting family and friends. It was good to have some time away. Went out a lot, ate too much & drank too. The big family news was my sister just getting engaged - congratulations again you two :)

Arrived back to go and see a band I'll be photographing soon. I'm also starting to lay out a book of my music & portrait work, possibly via the Blurb Online bookstore at first (I love any kind of self-publishing), so if you're interested in purchasing a copy when its ready send me an email and I'll let you know all the details.

Personal Photograph, Boston.

2008-07-19T21:58:00.005+01:00

Posting the portraits of Joshua Rifkin yesterday reminded I had this photograph that I took while in Boston too. I think it was the day after I did the Rifkin portrait shoot, I was just walking down by the river. I guess I just liked the scene. I always take a few photographs of the city I'm in if I'm away working, I'll try to stay an extra day if there is time. These are the photographs that usually make up the 'Personal' section on my portfolio site, photographs grabbed quickly while I'm away.

Joshua Rifkin Portraits.

2008-07-18T16:36:00.020+01:00

These are four of the portraits I shot in Boston of the American conductor, keyboard player, and musicologist Joshua Rifkin. I've mentioned the shoot in a previous post but this is the first time I could put the portraits up as I had to wait for them to run in a magazine in Spain. I think the second and third ran in the magazine feature along with a couple of others. The first and fourth are two from the shoot that I really like. This shoot was also digital, I'm used to it now and happy to use it. Seems I've got over my early issues, mainly involving colour on digital. The portraits were taken at Joshua's home in Boston, and another place nearby. The feature ran in black & white but I personally really like this first colour portrait.

'Gee, I Don’t Know.'

2008-07-17T10:17:00.016+01:00

Maybe because he often didn't seem to say very much people don't often comment on Andy Warhol's humour but he had a great dry sense of humour. These are two of his comments on photography;

'Photographers feel guilty that all they do for a living is press a button.'
-- Andy Warhol
'My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person.'
-- Andy Warhol

Out Of Town For A Few Days.

2008-07-14T14:49:00.011+01:00

Congleton, July 2008

I've left for a few days to visit family. I'm staying at my parents in the home I grew up in. They still live in the same house in Congleton, a small town in the North West, just south of Manchester.
I went for a walk last night as the sun was starting to go down. I walked down this path that leads to the fields and brook near my parents home and came to the small bridge over the brook. I used to hang around here with friends when I was a kid but I haven't been to it for years now. Its getting overgrown now but we used to hang around here some evenings, it was our private place. We could do whatever we wanted; but that usually just meant we'd talk and joke around, meet up here. I remember sometimes later drinking beer here that we’d ‘borrowed’ from home. I must have been about twelve I guess when I first went here.
There wasn't much to do in Congleton.
When you're a little older you can go into town in the evening, but this bridge was my meeting place, and still somewhere I could go as a teenager when I wanted some time on my own.
It was strange being on it again last night. Its overgrown, and looks much smaller to me as an adult, but I could sit and watch the sunset...

Nostalgic & sentimental post over. :)

'I Like To Look At Pictures...'

2008-07-14T13:26:00.005+01:00

'I like to look at pictures, all kinds. And all those things you absorb come out subconsciously one way or another. You'll be taking photographs and suddenly know that you have resources from having looked at a lot of them before. There is no way you can avoid this. But this kind of subconscious influence is good, and it certainly can work for one. In fact, the more pictures you see, the better you are as a photographer.' -- Robert Mapplethorpe

In The Studio With The Subways

2008-07-09T14:12:00.003+01:00

The Subways (& Me)

Recent studio session with The Subways. This is me photographing them (shot by my friend Simon) against a white background in a studio in West London. I think it must have been the hottest day in June and there we are in a studio! Still, it was a fun shoot. I like The Subways, they're really nice and professional. I've photographed them before, maybe two years ago when their first album was out. Their second is just out. I'll post a couple of my actual portraits from the session here very soon once they've run.

New Work - Lisa Tse by MRW

2008-06-08T11:58:00.008+01:00

Lisa Tse by Michael Robert Williams, 2008

I recently photographed the new press/PR portraits for my good friend Lisa Tse, the designer and creative director of Lisa Tse Ltd.
I've produced many portraits of Lisa over the last few years and she's always great to work with - very creative herself and open to ideas. These are a few of the recent portraits made just a few weeks ago. I especially love the first portrait (above) with Lisa on the stairs bathed in a pool of light.

Lisa Tse, 2008

Went To See; Vanity Fair Portraits, NPG London

2008-06-07T12:26:00.010+01:00

I went to catch the Vanity Fair Portraits Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery recently before it finished. It was showing work from the entire history of the magazine. As the press release said;

'This is a unique opportunity to see 95 years of iconic imagery by some of the most renowned photographers of the twentieth century, including Baron De Meyer, Edward Steichen, Man Ray and Cecil Beaton, as well as portraits by celebrated contemporary photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts.'

As much as its interresting to see the set-ups and techinical skills in the work of the modern era photographers like Leibovitz, I personally loved seeing the early portraits by Steichen & Man Ray. I admit I do often enjoy Leibovitz's portraits, but her music work mainly (and her older work really, especially a lot of her 1970's work). I find the Hollywood gatefold covers that she shoots for VF interesting to look at, well set-up, and technically well executed, but also a little empty. Everyone looks perfect. But thats all.
I like the sugestion of something more in portraits, that's one reason why I admire Anton Corbijn's work. There often seems to be something more going on in Cobijn's images, and that's a difficult trick to do. You get so little time on some of these shoots, and there are other people around on the shoot too. Its one thing to even have an idea what you want from the shoot, but another thing altogether to get it.

But getting back to the VF exhibition. I did enjoy seeing the work and I picked out two portraits, one from the first period of VF, and one from the period since VF's re-launch in 1983. These are two of my personal favourites from the exhibition. First Gloria Swanson by the great Edward Steichen photographed in 1924. Then Hilary Swank by Norman Jean Roy from 2004.

Above; Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen, 1924

Above; Hilary Swank by Norman Jean Roy, 2004

Portishead Images in US Press

2008-05-14T12:46:00.008+01:00

Quick post showing a few of the Portishead images used in recent US press.
First is the opening spread from XLR8R Magazine (XLR8R used this group portrait and then an individual portrait of each of the three members over the next pages). Next is the cover and opening spread from the Filter music festival supplement 'Good Music Guide'. Three Portishead portraits of mine also ran in the main Filter Magazine this month in the US but I don't have the spreads to put here as yet.
I went to see Portishead play in London recently too and they were fantastic live, playing a lot of their older songs and of course music from the new album too. Beth's voice is amazing.

Opening spead of the XLR8R Magazine feature.

Filter cover.

Opening spread of the Filter feature.

Working, editing...

2008-04-04T19:01:00.005+01:00

I've spent much of the day sorting out recent work, editing etc, and looking over a few personal images shot over the last few months too.
Just thought I'd post this personal image shot while away on assignment in Boston U.S. before Christmas. I think it's my favourite recent personal image.

Portishead, Paris.

2008-03-30T12:08:00.005+01:00

Quick update for March...
I'm still not writing here as often as I'd like (or intended).
Must try harder.
I envy those who write everyday, how do they find the time? It would be nice to have a record of what I'd done, seen, etc, for me to read back over. Sadly my bad memory means I forget so much.
Anyway, just a quick update. I'll have more to post soon, including new photos. I've been busy during March with shoots and other things, but I think the most interesting for me was photographing Portishead. I've always loved their music and now they have their new album coming out soon. I went to Paris to photograph them last week and they didn't disappoint, they were really nice to work with and the new music sounds great.
The photographs were for a number of uses. Some of the portraits will be posted here when I can, but the first place some will appear is in Filter magazine in the U.S.

Also out soon is a Kasabian book which I shot the cover to (below).
More news and photographs very soon.

More on me, work, etc...

2008-02-20T13:45:00.009Z

I think a useful thing about me writing here is that it gives me an opportunity to show some work that isn't on my portfolio website. I shoot all of the time so only a fraction of my photos get put into my portfolios of course.
These are a few portraits I shot last year of James Tyler (American musician, performs & records on lute, viol, and mandolin). They were shot in Los Angeles and were only just published, so I can put them up now. This is one of the first shoots I did completely digital, and the magazine wanted the feature in B&W, which helped my shoot (and transition) a little as its colour I'm finding most difficult with digital, I still want the colour to look like it was shot on film.

These first two portraits were shot in his home, the first just sitting in his living room, the second in his study. Both were lit using just the natural light. I like his glasses being on the table in the second.

I think four or five portraits ran with the interview. This one below didn't however so this is the only place you'll see it, for now at least, and this is one of my favourites from the shoot. Shot near his home in LA, I can't explain why I like this so much but it just works for me.

Anyway, thats a few portraits from that shoot. I'll post some other stuff soon. Its just that images have to run where they are commissioned first. Also some work gets added to the site so theres no point me putting it here too but I will from time to time post a few images here that don't go on the website.
M.

Happy New Year (belated, I know)

2008-01-16T12:20:00.000Z

Happy New Year (belated)
I know its been awhile since I posted but I took a long Christmas break, catching up with friends & family etc. Also my brother came back from NZ for Christmas, he moved there in January last year. So I was able to spend some time with him too.
But I’m finally back to work now after my break. Hope you had a great Christmas & New Year.

The stupider it is, the better it looks.

2007-12-04T19:43:00.001Z

'I don't try to overintellectualize my concepts of people. In fact, the ideas I have, if you talk about them, they seem extremely corny and it's only in their execution that people can enjoy them... It's something I've learned to trust: The stupider it is, the better it looks.' -- Annie Leibovitz

Control.

2007-11-28T22:44:00.000Z

This week I saw 'Control', Anton Corbijn's first full film. Anton has directed many music video's over the last 20 years but this was his first feature length film. Anton is of course better known as a photographer, one of the few real legends, and he's photographed everyone over the last 30 years. But for me it was more personal, Anton was one of the photographers that really influenced me when I was starting. He was also the first person I contacted to meet when I first moved to London. I met him at his home and spent the afternoon showing him some of my work, getting any advice I could, and talking about photography, music, and Andy Warhol (he'd just bought a print).
I've had contact with Anton a few times since then, and can say he's not only a great photographer, and director, but also a really nice guy.
Secondly I've always loved Joy Division's music, so I was looking forward to Control, and it didn't disappoint. I think maybe the greatest thing you can want from a music biography is the feeling that it brings you somehow closer to those who made the music, and Control manages this. Its a great film, a real achievement. Go see.

Actually as I'm talking film, while I was in the US last week I went to see American Gangster, another great film, really worth seeing.

Albert Watson.

2007-11-22T00:01:00.000Z

I took a break from working and decided to catch up on email and a few sites I like. I'm in for a late night working tonight, its just gone midnight now. But then I made the mistake of taking a look at the site of one of my favourite phtographers Albert Watson (here). I ended up spending over an hour there, his work is incredible (and the site is good too). He can do anything, and should be an inspiration for any photographer.
One of the legends.

All about me (this post anyway)

2007-11-21T15:05:00.000Z

I think I'll usually be writing about other photographers and other things
I've seen that interest me, but this ones all about me - I'll keep it brief.
I've spent the last couple of days sorting out some of the photographs I shot in the U.S. last week, starting with the portraits I shot in Boston of the American conductor, keyboard player, and musicologist Joshua Rifkin. I shot these on digital, I don't use digital much so post production on these is taking forever it seems. I shoot mostly on my favoured Mamiya RZ67 and film, but I'm starting to bring digital in as an option in my work, need to be ready for the times its requested. I do find the format strange to compose, its longer/wider than the 6x7.
I'll post a few of the portraits when I can after its published, but I don't think its out until early next year.

I can post this portrait though. This has just been published in the German BMW Magazine. I shot this portrait of Martin Stiksel, founder of Last.fm, recently on the roof of his office. A few different portraits were shot, some more graphic, some simple, and the magazine liked and used this one for the interview.

I like BMW magazine, they use good layouts and use space, they give the photography room to breathe. I think I may spend too much time looking at magazines, I certainly spend too much money on them, but there are too many that I like, and I think I get just about every music magazine on a regular basis.
Well, enough about me, time to get back to work...

Do's & Don'ts by Charles H. Traub

2007-11-19T14:00:00.000Z

This by Charles H. Traub from his writings 'Maxims from the Chair.'
I'm just going to post this and leave it at that - only to say I don't agree with them all but they're interesting guides. I actually saw it somewhere recently, on another blog I think but can't remember where, my memory is truly awful, but it can be found here; charlestraub.com

The Do's
Do something old in a new way.
Do something new in an old way.
Do something new in a new way, Whatever works... works.

Do it sharp, if you can't, call it art.
Do it in the computer — if it can be done there.
Do fifty of them — you will definitely get a show.
Do it big, if you can't do it big, do it red.
If all else fails turn it upside down, if it looks good it might work.
Do bend your knees.
If you don't know what to do, look up or down — but continue looking.
Do celebrities — if you do a lot of them, you'll get a book.
Connect with others — network.

Edit it yourself.
Design it yourself.
Publish it yourself.
Edit, when in doubt shoot more.
Edit again.

Read Darwin, Marx, Joyce, Freud, Einstein, Benjamin, McLuhan, and Barth.
See Citizen Kane ten times.
Look at everything — stare.

Construct your images from the edge inward.

If it's the "real world," do it in color.

If it can be done digitally — do it.

Be self centered, self involved, and generally entitled and always pushing — and damned to hell for doing it.

Break all rules, except the chairman's

The Don'ts
Don't do it about yourself — or your friend — or your family.
Don't dare photograph yourself nude.
Don't look at old family albums.

Don't hand color it.
Don't write on it.
Don't use alternative process — if it ain't straight do it in the computer.
Don't gild the lily — AKA less is more.
Don't go to video when you don't know what else to do.
Don't photograph indigent people, particularly in foreign lands.

Don't whine, just produce.

The Truisms
Good work sooner or later gets recognized.
There are a lot of good photographers who need it before they are dead.

If you walk the walk, sooner or later you'll learn to talk the talk.
If you talk the talk too much, sooner or later you are probably not walking the walk (don't bullshit).

Photographers are the only creative people that don't pay attention to their predecessors work — if you imitate something good, you are more likely to succeed.

Whoever originated the idea will surely be forgotten until he or she's dead — corollary: steal someone else's idea before they die.
If you have to imitate, at least imitate something good.
Know the difference.

Critics never know what they really like.
Critics are the first to recognize the importance of that which is already known in the community at large.
The best critics are the ones who like your work.

Theoreticians don't like to look — they're generally too busy writing about themselves.
Given enough time, theoreticians will contradict and reverse themselves.
Practice does not follow theory.
Theory follows practice.

All artists think they're self taught.
All artists lie, particularly about their dates and who taught them.
No artist has ever seen the work of another artist (the exception being the post-modernists who've adapted appropriation as another means of reinventing the history).

The curator or the director is the one in black.
The artist is the messy one in black.
The owner is the one with the Prada bag.
The gallery director is the one who recently uncovered the work of a forgotten person from his or her widower.

Every galleriest has to discover someone.
Every curator has to re-discover someone.
The best of them is the one who shows your work.

Every generation re-discovers the art of photography.
Photography history gets reinvented every ten years.
New galleries discover old photographers.

Galleries need to fill their walls — corollary: thus new talents will always be found.
Galleriests say hanging pictures is an art.

There are no collectors, only people with money.
Anyone who buys your work is a collector — your parents don't count.

All photographers are voyeurs.
Admit it and get on with looking.
Everyone, is narcissistic, anyone can be photographed.

Photography is about looking.
Learning how to look takes practice.

All photography, in the right context at the right time is valuable.
It is always a historical document.
Sooner or later someone will say it is art.

Any photographer can call himself an artist, but not every artist can call himself a photographer.

Compulsivness helps.
Neatness helps too.
Hard work helps the most.

The style is felt — fashion is fad.

Remember, its usually about who, what, where, when, why, and how.
It is who you know.

Many a good idea is found in a garbage can.
But darkrooms are dark... and dank, forgidaboudit.

The best exposure is the one that works.
Expose for the shadows, and develop for the highlights.
Or better yet, shoot digitally.

Cameras don't think, they don't have memories.
But digital cameras have something called memory.
Learn to see as the camera sees, don't try to make it see as the human eye.
Remember digital point and shoots are faster than Leicas.

Though the computer can correct anything, a bad image is a bad image.
If all else fails, you can remember, again, to either do it large or red.
Or, tear it up and tape it together.
It always looks better on the wall framed.

If they don't sell, raise your price.
Self-importance rises with the prices of your images on the wall.

The work of a dead artist is always more valuable than the work of a live one.
You can always pretend to kill yourself and start all over.

Leave out the parts that people skip.

2007-11-16T20:46:00.000Z

Where to begin…
While I was away on assignment in the U.S. this week I reminded myself that I really should update the news section on my site when I return to London. I simply delete the old news and put a new recent bit up, but then I thought why don’t I simply start a blog (yet another photographer blog) to put my news on so I don’t keep deleting it etc…. plus I can then write more updates and comments etc….

So the decision was made last week and it starts today…..

I don’t really know yet what form this blog will take, I’m sure there will be a little of what I’m up to sometimes, plus a little of what I’m liking that day / week / moment, and other random stuff.

I’ll see how it evolves, and try to take the advice of Mr Leonard; ‘I try to leave out the parts that people skip.’ - Elmore Leonard

So boring intro over. Hopefully some interesting things to follow….