Jan/Feb 2012 - New Year new website
I am working on a new website - but it is taking longer than I hoped because of technical bugs. Making progress now though. It will show the key elements of the work I now produce, moving on from the archive (although I will retain a 'memory lane'). URL will be the same and so one day you will click onto www.pictureline.co.uk and there it will be, a brave new world (:
My main client is the Daily Mail, I am part of the picture desk team helping photographers make the pictures which will be used in the newspaper. I still get out to use my own cameras particularly when a simple strong portrait is required. I love to get out and meet people so doing a picture job is a highlight for me. Now I am extending my portrait service so that I can work with people who simply want a picture for their own personal enjoyment.
The four pictures here all result from assignments for The Daily Mail. They are a mixture of straight portraits and pictures used to illustrate news. They are all produced on my digital camera and sent directly into the paper for publication.
Picture 1. This was a case study about teenagers who get stressed trying to juggle school and social life. The picture works because she looks good on camera and also I had the space to set-up a mini studio with three lights and background paper.
Picture 2. Jean-Christophe Novelli, like so many jobs, came out of the blue. Often with celebrities the whole project is thought up and produced within the same day. Jean-Christophe was very busy and the feature writer needed something more than he was prepared to give. Great for that intense look apparently so attractive to women.
Picture 3. Tony Cancellara and partner Tania Calabrese are both survivors who were in the bus at Tavistock Square when it was blown up during the 7/7 London bomb attacks. You can read their account on Daily Mail online.
Picture 4. This story was about a 'supermum' and her daughter. It was taken in the limited space of their town house. I used a single soft light directly onto their faces and a weaker indirect flash to soften the shadows. A good tip that I used here is to keep the camera's speed setting between 200 and 400 ASA so that the camera can see the natural room light which makes an attractive home setting for the picture.