Green Tech - Part I

Last week I began shooting an exciting global assignment on green technologies for a new client. We're looking at low-carbon industries and initiatives that seek to reduce the carbon footprint of transport, lighting and energy uses in order to counter the effects of climate change. I will be working in five world cities, and have (almost) completed the first stage in London; next on the list are Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai and finally, New York. I can't wait...

Mothers' Day Special

A few days ago I was commissioned by a large German Sunday newspaper to shoot a feature on Mothers' Day. We found the rather lovely German actress Susanne Gaertner who agreed to do a shoot with her young son Callum while doing some gardening on her allotment plot. The only caveat was that Callum should not be recognisable in the pictures in order to protect her young family's privacy.

Given that she has recently starred in the ZDF TV drama by Rosamunde Pilcher, "Liebe am Horizont", I thought it apt to shoot the feature with an equally 'ideal world' feel as the movie. So we used some extra lights and filters, the sunny weather and the bright colours she wore helped it along tremendously. The end result is almost too kitch to be true, but somehow it happened, and it felt good. Susanne has been a dream to work with, easy-going and trusting; Personally, I think there's a lot more to come from this rising star. View the full portrait gallery of Susanne Gaertner here.

Pavement Graffiti

Just ahead of the general election, I get asked to photograph a bit of clandestine campaigning. Take a pressure washer, a few drums of water, a van and a stencil, and set off to clean the city's pavements in a particular style. Pavement graffiti removes the dirt and grime from select parts of any surface, leaving a cleaner area which carries the messaging plotted through the stencil.

View the full pavement graffiti set here.

Meeting Mrs Yahoo

At the Tate Modern, Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz held a presentation and briefing for the press, and I was assigned to attend a one-on-one interview with her, followed by a short portrait session. She's an impressive, very forward and challenging woman, American in style and demeanour and certainly a top-ranking CEO in the world of internet business. I have compiled a short slideshow below, and go here for the full set of portraits of Carol Bartz.

Moravian Easter

Once again, for the third time in twelve years, I have been invited to participate in the traditional Easter Monday celebrations in the Moravian village of Banov in the east of the Czech Republic. It's a long while since I first got here, courtesy of my good friend Jan who introduced me to the world of folklore, dress, song and dance customary for this part of Moravia. Back then, we were younger, dumber, slimmer and less resistant to the lures of Slivovice, the fiery plum brandy served in every household we visit.

Now, eight years since my last visit, Jan's father Jiri is balding, but his energy, voice and joie de vivre is unbroken as we make the rounds through the village, come rain, wind or hell itself. We walk, talk, sing, dance a little, walk and sing some more, and everywhere we go, I witness the startling hospitality by the proud locals, welcoming us into their homes, serving snacks and their best homemade Slivovice. The day passes very quickly, and once again, it's been a pleasure and a privilege to have been invited with my camera.