Pebbles From Paradise

Jane Bown used far less film when photographing many of her subjects, notably Samual Becket, but it seems that established portraitists are often given the opportunity to experiment over several frames as a dialogue evolves.

Many photographers have favourite subjects that are photographed more than once. In this example Bray returns to ‘Newton’s Tree’ and creates a solemn image reminiscent of the landscapes of Bill Brandt.

Bray’s office party pictures owe more to the influence of Helmut Newton than Hugo Burnand.

When Helmut Newton photographed landscapes he often placed a model in the foreground. This isn’t to say his landscapes were without significance. For example during the 1968 fuel strike, when no petrol was to be found in France, Newton made images of people kissing in front of oil storage tanks.

If PVC, drainpipes, powerful women, stick-on nipples and scantily clad models playing with french men on horses is your thing then ‘Frames From The Edge’ is a must for your viewing. Charlotte Rampling features in it, and in the buff when she was a sexy young looker.

Sometimes I think I would like to have access to a proper studio. I love the idea of soft flat lighting provided by softboxes but not as much as that of gilded models that may be Photoshopped to perfection. But I’m just a street-dog really. Nothing wrong with that. Helmut Newton favoured the street to [...]

I know Nikon cameras are among the most popular in the world. The F2 was their landmark SLR making its reputation in combat zones where its reliability made it the first choice of professionals. Two incarnations later as the F4 the Nikon probably was at its zenith as a mechanical camera. My friend Sean Cullen [...]

Inkilâp Bookshop Window, Before I Bought One Of The Volumes The last time I was at Ümraniye Carrefour I happed past the Inkilâp Bookshop’s window and was seduced by a wonderful image of a Tibetan girl as photographed by Steve McCurry. The dimensions of McCurry’s volume, although nowhere near rivalling Helmut Newton’s Sumo, are by [...]

Drift Wood On Amos Beach Living a reclusive life on a small estate might appear to provide limited opportunities for photography, especially when the weather is inclement. It’s true that living here does little to further my ambition to make images like the late Helmut Newton, however that aside, there are many opportunities to photograph [...]

Somehow in the past year, or so, my lifetime interest in photography seems to have crystallised. I confess that living here in winter seclusion sometimes I despair of ever becoming a Bailey, Newton, or an unlikely Royal Photographer such as Rankin. It would be nice to capture delicate curves in subdued light and occasionally, to [...]