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

REM © Michael Robert Williams

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.....)

REM © Michael Robert Williams

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.

REM © Michael Robert Williams

As Though I Had Forgotten To Wake Up

'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

Athena © Michael Robert Williams

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.

The Subways © Michael Robert Williams

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.