Recent Tearsheet: Rolf Sachs for Modern Painters Magazine

Rolf Sachs photographed for Modern painters magazine at his London studio, September 2013.

Recent Commission and Interview: Making a digital Pinhole

I was recently commissioned by HUCK magazine to create a series of 3 images that they could run in their Special photography issue that was published in November 2013. At first we discussed what direction I would take with it as they wanted to do something that was a bit different and yet it needed to be something we could do in a short space in time and one that would reproduce well for the magazine. Initially we had been discussing some ideas involving a camera obscura - but felt it might be tricky to make something work in the time frame. I took this idea though and scaled it down - rather than create a room sized camera obscura - we could use the same basic technique at a more manageable size - the answer it seemed was to produce a pin-hole camera. Given the time frame it seemed sensible to do this digitally.

The drilled hole on the body cap (above) and the cinefoil behind the hole reducing it's size further (top)

The technique for doing so is relatively simple; you need to make a small precise hole that will allow light to fall onto the cameras sensor. After a bit of research I realised the optimum size for this needed to be about 0.3mm, and the best way to achieve this would be to use a pin to penetrate a material but not to pass through it. Obviously you don't want light being reflected and bouncing around inside so the material needs to be dark. I figured the best way to do this was to drill a hole in a spare body cap and then use a hole in some cinefoil which was taped with black tape on the inside. Another bit of tape on the front acts as a rudimentary lens-cap (but only for stopping dust entering and the shutter still needs to be fired). This technique gives you roughly an equivalent frame of a 50mm lens - not ideal for landscapes but certainly useable.   

Below are the images as they ran in the magazine

If you're interested in catching the rest of the issue (well worth a read in my opinion) look out for it in all good newsagents.

BIID commission

Charles Leon, Chairman of the Interior Design Association (IDA), and Sue Timney, President of British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), photographed at Roca Gallery, London.

This was a recent commission I received from the British Institute of Interior Design and the Interior Design Institute to photograph their two respective CEO's and to highlight their merger. I photographed them in the Roca Gallery in West London. It's a three light setup - using gels - and trying to sculpt the light so it really promotes the interior space which otherwise would have looked quite flat (with the lighting as it was). I was working alone on this but had asked for an hour setup time, which is crucial when trying to get something like this in an unfamiliar space.

Senegal

A couple of shots from an assignment I had back in April photographing Youssou N'Dour perform in Senegal. One of the craziest assignments I think I've had this year, involving a race against the clock driving on African roads, facing off Kalashnikov bribe seeking policemen, insane and unintended river crossings and tropical diseases. A story for another time.

 

Portrait: Welder, Sierra Leone

Portrait of Sullayman Kamara, 26, an orphan and former street child who is now learning welding skills at the Mayemi Skills training centre outside of Freetown. Shot on a recent assignment to Sierra Leone for the NGO ActionAid.

Peace Bridge: Sierra Leone

The Peace Bridge (formerly the Congo Cross Bridge) was where rebels were halted by government forces and Civil Defense Units  and thus prevented them from advancing further into Freetown, on 6th January 1999. The area surrounding the bridge houses many refugees who have made settlements by the river - unfortunately these communities are prone to flooding from the river. 18th August 2013. Photo: © Greg Funnell/ActionAid

Portrait: Brendan

Portrait: Seaweed Pete

One from the archive, a portrait of 'Seaweed Pete' taken just off of the south coast, close to Poole Harbour, 2011.  

Jeremy Paxman for TATLER

I recently had the honour of being asked by Tatler to photograph British TV and news personality Jeremy Paxman, considered a notorious interviewer and a bit of an all round intellectual powerhouse. Needless to say I was a little daunted! Thankfully though I think  managed to break through the frosty exterior to create a honest portrait of the man himself. We was photographed at The Langham Hotel in London's West End, above is the one as it that ran and below are two outtakes.

Below is quick phone snap of the set-up and my two assistants in the day Jordan and Olivia.

On being a Photographer: Working with NGO's in the field

I was recently commissioned for the charity ActionAid to go out to Sierra Leone and document their in-country projects on post conflict development. It was a celebrity trip and we were taking the British Actress Sarah Alexander with us. ActionAid just asked me to do a small interview which featured on their website - you can read that here. 

Working for NGO's in the field is always interesting and challenging work, and I think it takes a certain approach. You have to be acutely aware that you are representing the NGO and their ethos, this is true for many photography commissions, but with NGO's you're are often working in their frontline of operations, and the very nature and sensitivity of NGO work makes it especially important. You have responsibilities not only to your client but also, and perhaps more importantly, the people that they work with on the ground, the very people the organisation aims to help. For this reason I always find it huge honour to be commissioned as a photographer for an NGO - it shows that you're considered a good operator and are trusted to work in often challenging conditions. You have to be adaptable and ready for the unexpected; this tale from a photography commission I had in Guatemala a few years back is a good example of that!  

The shot below was a team photo from the final day - we just come form spending the day working in torrential rain at the King Tommy Bommah; the biggest rubbish dump in Freetown.