Blog
My boy Billy Clarke(8) of Skippers Hill School, East Sussex and Joshua(11) and Thomas(8) Mogford of Bickley Park School, Kent with their heavy school bags. These were shot for today's Daily Mail who expose the truth behind school bag heaviness and whats happening to our children's spines.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2144429/Is-childs-school-bag-harming-spine.html
In a radical move away from taking pictures of the front of people, this is the back of a suited man taking in the gloomy view from the top of London's Gherkin this morning. Although I was commissioned to shoot the face of this unnamed business man, I thought this might make an interesting financial stock image that tries to illustrate the bleak view of banking in these recessionary times. I also learnt that The Gherkin is a popular venue for gay weddings.
Some monkeys yesterday. They are javan langurs from Howletts Zoo and although at the time they seemed quite happy, looking at these pictures again there seems to be a real element of melancholy. Or maybe it's just my mood on a wet Monday afternoon.
This is Robin and Sue McGibbon who I photographed last week to go with a story about the recent death of their beloved dog, Abby. Robin takes up the story......
My wife, Sue, and I agreed for James to photograph us for the Daily Mail, as part of our campaign to outlaw an anti-inflammatory drug, Carprofen, which led to the death of our black Labrador, Abby. She was given the drug by Tender Paws, in West Wickham, Kent, to ease arthritis, but, after just four tablets, developed the most distressing side-effects and, sadly, had to be put to sleep a few days later. We won't rest until the drug is banned.
It's always exciting to see your own pictures out there being looked at in the public domain. This, at least double life-sized version, is my biggest so far. It's geordie surfer Conel Freeman who was one of the models for my diabetic portraits exhibition, the picture, among others of mine is now being used as part of the re-branding campaign for Diabetes UK, here it is on show at a recent health charity conference. Let's get the next one on the side of a bus!
More about Conel and that picture here: http://jamesclarke.me/family-and-child-portraits/blood-sugar-is-down-but-surfs-up/
It was a great honour to be asked to be the judge for a junior photography competition. All entrants were from local primary schools, between the ages of 7 and 9 and worked on a "nature" theme. Well done to everyone that took part and here are the winners:
!st - Ella Ayden, age 7 with Worms. Brilliantly unexpected composition with humorous and imaginative use of a written word.
2nd - Shannon Smith, age 9 with Frog. Really good close-up and nicely composed picture showing different textures and light on spawn and pond weed.
3rd - Katherine Miles, age 9 with Seagull, Duck and Pidgeon. Dramatic shot which captures an instant when the seagull swoops down near the duck and the pidgeon looks a bit startled.
4th - Theo Missen, age 8 with Beetle. Another good close-up showing nice colours and interesting patterns.
Okay it's not Soho or Paris, its a cafe in a Garden Centre in East Sussex. But it shows that with a good chef, friendly staff, facilities for kids and decent coffee you can create something really special. I spent yesterday lunchtime at The Milbrook Cafe, Crowborough getting some publicity shots for them and was thoroughly impressed.
Peckham-born actor and former So Solid Crew member Ashley Walters who is currently appearing in the "quite good" BBC drama, Inside Men. This was shot for The Times, oh and the tattoo says In Memory Of The Street Fighter which is the title of his latest music project.
It's all in a day's life at this prep school near Stoke-On-Trent where I've been getting a few pics for their new prospectus. The aptly named headmaster, Mr Copestick, dispensed moral fables at assembly, even tackling that tricky "life" dilemma of why someone has to get picked last for playground teams. There was an art lesson done on iPads, blazing Bunsen Burners and nostalgic smells for me in chemistry as well as a surprisingly tasty lunch of chicken korma, rice and broccoli.
A pic of mine in an ad for Compassion Sunday which is a day when churches in the US promote the Compassion charity and encourage people to sponsor deprived children from around the world. Elizabeth who features here was the star of my recent trip to Guatemala. She is 11 years old , lives in a tin shack and takes care of her 3 younger mal-nourished siblings and disabled father. She is sponsored through Compassion by a lady from Colorado Springs also called Elizabeth who sends her about $30 per month which helps to make her very tough life a little bit easier.
You can see it in full here as well as the video that was shot of the two Elizabeths on the same trip I was on.
Avon calling..... This is Pam, intrepid door-to-door cosmetics sales person and all round nice lady. I just photographed her for a well known monthly woman's magazine.
Thanks to all of you out there who have just endorsed my work or recommended my services. Such a great way to lift my shallow soul during this darkest of months. Here's where we are so far:
“James has the prime attribute of all really good photographers – he’s an excellent bloke who everyone (including his subjects) gets on with. He knows a bit about cameras too. The end result is top notch photographs which follow the brief.” Simon Crompton, Medical Editor, The Times.“James is a true professional – one of those people you can leave to get on with the job in complete confidence that you’re going to get a great result. It’s a pleasure to work with him and I can’t recommend him highly enough.” David Killen, Art Director, Prospect Magazine.
“James has photographed portraits for Wanderlust magazine twice, and always delivers a great job with no hassle. He has a real knack for bringing out subjects’ personalities and relaxing them so that natural, fun portraits result. He’s also a lovely chap and a pleasure to work with.” Dan Linstead, Editor, Wanderlust Magazine.
“I found James to be an excellent photographer. I do not normally feel comfortable in front of the camera but James made me feel at ease and the results were fab. I received a lot of compliments about the pictures he took”. Catherine Amey, writer and subject of a shoot for Prima Magazine.
“James got the results we wanted on time and on budget. He also used his initiative to get the best out of the shoot. Very pleased all round.” Rob Williams, ITV Account Manager, Radley Yeldar.
“I have worked with James on a number of projects. He is a very creative, professional photographer. He is a joy to work with.” Deborah Malthouse, Events Manager, Kent County Council