Portraiture

Mum, Christmas

Portraits rarely feature in my photography – I positively shy away from taking people’s photographs. But this Christmas was very much a tale of three people – myself, my mother and Dermot.

In the richly decorated surroundings of Old Hunstanton’s The Lodge in Norfolk, where we spent the festive season, I caught my mother off guard while joking with Dermot. It’s a natural capture of energy, engagement and a youthfulness defying that Mum is in her ninth decade.

Dermot happily posed for his shot, with a wry smile and looking particularly relaxed. This is perhaps the key to good portraits – not that I would really know!

The only part of the jigsaw missing from this set is my own photograph. Maybe that’s for the best…

Dermot, Christmas

Walking by the sea

A man takes a walk by the sea. It’s a warm day, hot when the sun shows itself. I didn’t really notice him – at the time I was more absorbed in taking shots of the barrier between the walkway and the shore. But he veered into the frame and I made use of his presence. He was unaware of this.

I took the photograph on a trip to Margate, a seaside resort in Kent, south-east England. It’s a town of contrasts and many interests for the photographer. There will be more from Margate in the upcoming days.

Primrose Hill

A wonderful summer escape in London is to visit one of its many green spaces. An even greater joy is to clamber up one of the city’s vantage points and witness a sun-scorched day slowly turn to evening, and then night when the capital’s illuminated buildings twinkle beneath you.

We chose Primrose Hill just north of the city, where many people had gathered to relax and witness the end of the day. The views were cloaked in a summer haze which made it hard to create the sharpest of captures. You have to brave the winter temperatures to get the clearest views.

It was a time to watch people, observe them bathing in the moment – and enjoy seeing the city below.

Click on the first image to launch the full-size gallery