We are back in Sipson, Harlington and Harmondsworth - the three villages threatened with extinction should the controversial plans to build Heathrow's third runway go ahead.
After Airplot, it was now time for the locals to get creative and participate in some creative gardening schemes. Greenpeace teamed up with top garden designer Tom Hoblyn, Guerrilla Gardener Richard Reynolds, a bunch of activists of all kinds of persuasions and many local residents to give some of the plants from the Chelsea Flower Show a second lease of life...
26 May 2009
25 May 2009
Empty Docklands
As the layout stage of my first book, the Empty London project draws to a close, I heeded some advice and went and shot the docklands whilst I had a chance: between 3 and 5 am on a Sunday morning, the only time that nobody seems to be around. It is private property and therefore I had to get a permit. Kindly issued by the Canary Wharf press office, my permission to take pictures was granted for a whole of 30 minutes, between 4 and 4:30 am. Guess who showed up at 4:33 a.m.?
Yep, you guessed it - a bored security guard. In less than friendly terms, he asked for my piece of paper granting me permission and promptly proceeded to tell me that my 'time is up'. Would you believe it? I mean - picture the scene - the place is deserted, nobody anywhere, zip, nada, niente, except for this guy ushering me on because of a misprint on a piece of paper. As if taking a picture after 4:30 a.m. would serve a different purpose than one taken during the time allowed... No doubt I have malevolent intentions.
I realise he's only doing his job, but I thought that this sort of moronic, mechanic acting had only been possible in Nazi Germany. Anyway, it all ended amiably, and here's the results - some of these will find their way into my first book, to be published shortly.
Yep, you guessed it - a bored security guard. In less than friendly terms, he asked for my piece of paper granting me permission and promptly proceeded to tell me that my 'time is up'. Would you believe it? I mean - picture the scene - the place is deserted, nobody anywhere, zip, nada, niente, except for this guy ushering me on because of a misprint on a piece of paper. As if taking a picture after 4:30 a.m. would serve a different purpose than one taken during the time allowed... No doubt I have malevolent intentions.
I realise he's only doing his job, but I thought that this sort of moronic, mechanic acting had only been possible in Nazi Germany. Anyway, it all ended amiably, and here's the results - some of these will find their way into my first book, to be published shortly.
12 May 2009
Ben Stiller - done in 60 seconds!
Yep, interview alibi picture time again. My esteemed colleague Norbert Koerzdoerfer jokes with Ben Stiller, in town to promote his latest movie, Night at the Museum II. I wasn't allowed to attend the interview, but I did manage to make a lively picture at the end. Done in 60 seconds!
8 May 2009
Lotus Evora
I got back to the UK less than two days ago, and now I find myself behind the wheel of Lotus' new sports car, the Evora. We are in Scotland and it's raining. Heavily. All we have is the afternoon to get our pictures done before heading back for my flight to London. The rain doesn't stop and becomes positively annoying whenever I point my lens in the direction of the wind. I can't remember how many times I had to wipe the lenses, or even if any of my bodyparts stayed dry during the shoot, but I can remember this: This car goes faster than you can say SH-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-T!!!
Cars have never been my thing really, I'm a bike nut. But this Lotus has something. It doesn't look like it's been made in a shed, it doesn't rattle or fall apart on Scotland's B-roads, and it handles phenomenally well. Nevermind the speed limits, nevermind the rain or the curvy road up to Glencoe, driving this thing is a blast! Although I would not contemplate buying one (it's only a mere 50 grand...), I do remember the drive with fascination. Overtaking is a doddle, acceleration is close to the 0-60 mph in 3 seconds my motorbike manages and the overall impression is that this car goes like shit off a wet shovel. Nice one.
Cars have never been my thing really, I'm a bike nut. But this Lotus has something. It doesn't look like it's been made in a shed, it doesn't rattle or fall apart on Scotland's B-roads, and it handles phenomenally well. Nevermind the speed limits, nevermind the rain or the curvy road up to Glencoe, driving this thing is a blast! Although I would not contemplate buying one (it's only a mere 50 grand...), I do remember the drive with fascination. Overtaking is a doddle, acceleration is close to the 0-60 mph in 3 seconds my motorbike manages and the overall impression is that this car goes like shit off a wet shovel. Nice one.
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