A night at the Israel/Lebanon border

Arrived safely in Tel Aviv and immediately headed for the northern border, unfortunately by the time we arrived it was dark so I couldn't get photos, but anyway to give you a feel for it this is the copy that the writer I was with, Andrew Wander, filed the next day.

"ARRIVING in Tel Aviv does not feel like entering a country at war. The ultra-modern airport, with its high vaulted ceilings and expansive marble floors could be the entry point of any peaceful Western country. The air-conditioned arrivals lounge, where children clutching colourful balloons wait to welcome loved ones, is a hive of activity. You could almost forget there was a war on. It was here that we met George Javor, a retired teacher from Israel's troubled north. He told us that he lived in Metula, Israel's northernmost settlement. His house, he said was the last in the country- 300 yards away from the border itself. Nestled in the hills of Northern Israel, this sleepy fruit growing village has found itself at the centre of an international crisis. "Actually, I need to collect some things from the house tonight," he said. "You guys wanna come along?" So I found myself, just hours after arriving in Israel on the road to front line, leaving the relative normality of the south for a cauldron of rocket attacks, military checkpoints and artillery fire. As the roads became gradually quieter and the military presence increased, smoke from Hezbollah's rocket attacks hung over the horizon, producing a haze that thickened over the cities we passed. Beyond Haifa, the roads were almost deserted. As the setting sun drenched the hills in soft light helicopters glinted in skies above. Only flatbed trucks carrying tanks crawled up the roads. Scorched hillsides slipped passed as we approached the border. We passed the skeletal shell of a smoking building perched on a ridge above us. It had been hit by Hezbollah rockets. As the rolling hills of Southern Lebanon rose into view, flashes lit the darkening sky, accompanied by an ominous rumble in the distance. Metula appeared deserted except for soldiers. Many of the residents had left, others spent their time in shelters- the children had been evacuated at the start of the crisis. As George unlocked his house, shells crumpled into the black landscape around us, explosions that you felt as well as heard. It was a sobering thought that each one was landing on people less than a mile away. "This is it," said George. "Wave to Hezbollah. They have observation posts on that hill." Small arms fire rattled from a nearby valley, indicating Hezbollah movements in close proximty. The sky lit up as jets flew over head, dropping flares every second or so to confuse heat seeking missiles. We collected George's belongings and left, passing a CNN crew on the way down. Ten minutes later an explosion echoed from the valley floor. That was a Hezbollah strike George said. As we drove down the winding roads, a volley of Katyusha rockets slammed into the opposite hillside. "That was too close" George said. "Its time to get out of here." That night 122 Hezbollah rockets landed in Israel. Back in Tel Aviv, I could not help but smile to myself when I saw the headline of the previous day's copy of the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. "I must be crazy," it said, "I went to Metula"

Over the next month...

Just to let you all know that I'm heading off to Israel and Palestine tomorrow if you hadn't heard already (I've been planning it for long enough). Managed to clash my plans with a crisis in the Middle East which will makes things interesting to say the least! Anyway I expect to keep updating the blog with words if not pictures to let people know where I am and what I'm up to. I'll be back in blighty in about a months time.

Portait shoot - Kings

Back in London and a quick shoot to do for Kings College PR. Incidently the shoot below was used in this weeks Guardian Guide and also TNT magazine...but as ever they fail to put in any photo-credits (last time the GG credited some guy called 'Gred Funnell'...)

Blair McDonough - Portrait shoot

These were two headshots I did on the same day as the shoot below. One cheesey colour one and one slightly more striking black and white one. Blair McDonough is the geezer from Neighbours, otherwise known as Stuart Parker, he shot to fame after appearing in Australia's Big Brother of 2001.

Blair McDonough - 'The Vegemite Tales' Promo shots

These shots were meant to look like cheesey adverts and Blair worked quite well in suggesting ideas and pulling poses. Having been unable to take a black background I used an old gym mat setting up two speedlight flashes, one with an umbrella.

'The Vegemite Tales'-Pre Production promo shots

These are various from a shoot today publicising 'The Vegemite Tales', a new show coming to the West End based around Australian housemates. The cast included Blair McDonough most famous for his role as 'Stu' in the soap Neighbours. All shots were taken near their Brixton rehearsal studios. Some of the shots will appear in the Guardian Guide, and possibly Heat and Time Out.

Portrait shoot

North Lambeth Schools Chess competition

Back in London, and a Boat Party on the Thames

Abstract buildings

Girls, Girls, Girls

The paradox of advertising and reality and the creation of false relaities and unrealistic aspirations...or something along those lines. Midtown Manhattan, NYC

China Town-NYC

New York City Dog

Honestly, why bother with the bag?-the little ratfink has got ruddy legs

Hare Krishna's East Village

I found these guys in a park in the East Village celebrating under a tree which held particular significance to them and the history of their New York wing of the movement.

Baseball ...again

West side of Manhattan

911

This shot I took whilst walking one evening near Grand Central Station -I have no idea what the fuss was but there must have been at least 20 police cars in a convoy shoot past with their sirens blaring.