I have just returned from an incredible two week trip to Iceland in winter, exploring both the north and south of the island, and being joined latterly by some clients for a week-long photographic workshop. A lot was seen and photographed. From the smooth shapes and ripples across melting icebergs and snow-swept black volcanic sand to the jagged fringes of frozen waterfalls and lava fields dusted in snow, there were a lot of opportunities for interesting compositions. We even saw wildlife every day in the shape of Orca (killer whales), seals, eagles, ptarmigans and a lot of evidence of arctic foxes – Iceland’s only native land mammal, though we never actually saw one – I’m sure if we were better prepared we could have come back with some images that did them justice too!

Godafoss, one of Iceland's largest and most spectacular waterfalls virtually frozen over thanks to a wintery Arctic blast

The conditions certainly played their part in the adventure as we endured bitingly cold temperatures and ferocious winds – which only served to pull the temperatures further thanks to the windchill factor, estimates range from -25C to -30C! Drifts of snow, pushed all the way from fresh falls on mountains and glaciers some miles away, built up at a number of locations we visited making maneuvering interesting. We encountered blinding dust storms crossing the open plains of glacial moraine as strong winds whipped along at over 70kmh, blocking out almost all the light and obscuring anything more than a few metres ahead. Certainly tested the nerves but we got through it fine. After a number of visits to Iceland I have seen firsthand how it undergoes dramatic changes in such short periods of time thanks to the power of the weather conditions it experiences; in one particular location it dawned on us an entire beach had been washed away leaving large exposed rocks some 3 metres or more below the sand level of the beach I walked across only last October. Quite a shocking yet equally fascinating discovery.

An Icelandic Dust Storm tears across the highway obscuring the way ahead.

Despite the occasional adverse conditions and surprise discoveries almost every location played up to and beyond expectations, vast icebergs awaited in the famed lagoon, slowly bobbing about with the rise and fall of the tides. The black volcanic beach neighbouring the lagoon was laden with the jewel-like deposits of ice – large and small – leaving a lot to explore and investigate. We saw the magical northern lights on a number of occasions, it’s ethereal glow stunning the group with every twist and turn they made being particularly bright this time around. By the last day after many miles traveled, several happy clients remained at the end of it, all present and correct (well, at least the same number we counted in, were counted out at the end!). I am very much looking forwards to returning to that incredible country and see more of it, I still feel I have barely begun to scratch the surface – there is a tentative plan to go in summer…watch this space!

Northern Lights dance over the Vatnajokul Glacier

I have been making updates to my photography facebook page including some images when connection allowed whilst out there, for a day-by-day report please head there. Once I have had a chance to go through the images I will upload them.

Oars pounded the waters of the Thames this past weekend as crews from the University of London Boat Club met crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities for some pre-Boatrace fixtures. Each Boatrace crew is nearing the culmination of their respective training programmes, six months of grueling training sessions, early mornings and sacrifices of a ‘normal’ life coming down to just one race of roughly eighteen minutes – it would therefore be wise to get some practice in beforehand!

In the thick of it

Historically in the weeks leading up the the Boatrace itself, crews from both Oxford and Cambridge race against other top rowing clubs before facing off against each other in their final engagement on the Tideway. Although the fixtures are not for any reward the chance to race side-by-side against opponents is invaluable practice for race day and, despite being essentially a ‘friendly match’ and chance for the crews to benefit from the occasion, the racing is as fierce as ever.

Line Up

On the Saturday University of London’s second boat raced their opposites from Cambridge’s “Goldie” boat (the reserves to the Boatrace crew). With a late starting race the sun had almost fallen below the horizon as both crews set off from Putney towards Chiswick, it soon became apparent that Cambridge were able to tap into superior power and strength to dominate the smaller and lighter London crew. The London crew did not let it go without a fight however and valiantly fought during each of the 6 minute long races but were out classed by a talented Cambridge crew.

University of London vs Cambridge Goldie

Cambridge Goldie

The following day brought a change in the mean grey clouds of recent weeks and we were treated to clear blue skies and sunshine! Sunday was the turn of London’s top boat, with a handful of ex-students who are or have been part of the Great Britain Senior Squad, to race against Oxford University’s Boatrace crew – itself containing a healthy dose of internationals and Olympic athletes. From the start each crew fought hard to catch an early lead. With the London crew caught off-guard in the first of three races Oxford took the initiative and moved over to make life hard for them, the race tuned Oxford crew made sure they stamped out a clear victory. The second race saw a much greater speed from the London crew but unfortunately they couldn’t quite hang on to Oxford who powered away to victory.

Hands i

The section the Thames being raced on is tidal, which essentially boils down to there being an optimal line to take in order to catch the fast flowing stream and pass or stay ahead of the opposition. For the coxes steering these craft, charging downstream with flashing blades on either side, the skill is holding your ground against the opposition Only one crew can take the fastest line and despite an umpire inevitably there will be some close calls, perhaps even a clash of blades – or worse a breakage (as happened in 2012′s Boatrace resulting in a loss for Oxford).

Clash!

After one such close encounter at the start of the third and final race a restart was called by the umpire. Oxford once again were able to draw out a lead and stay out in front, although London still pushed on hard to try and get back in touch it didn’t happen. A good day’s tussle on the Tideway.

This year’s Boatrace, sponsored by BNY Mellon, is held on 31st March.

A small gallery of images is below (click the thumbnails or arrows either side of the image) and to see more from the UL v OUBC races click this link.

We are well on our way into 2013, no Mayan Apocalypse at the end of last year and some of us are finding it a bit odd writing the date with a 3 at the end! I have just found time to get this quick review of a handful of events that happened last year published, with the intention to push out more retrospective posts in the coming weeks.

2012 kicked of with a winter trip to northern Norway and possibly one of my favourite locations; the Lofoten Islands. Jagged snow capped mountains plunge into deep blue fjords, all beautifully lit by the low arctic winter sun only showing itself for just a few short hours before the next long night. The long lingering dawns brought spectacular shows of vivid colours and light which then gave way to a gently arcing sun that barely seemed to breach the horizon for any time at all before disappearing again a little after 2pm in an array of golden hues in the freezing air. With little else to do at night, all eyes turned to the electromagnetic readings for the chance of seeing the northern lights – which I was lucky enough to see every night of the trip!
 

That trip was swiftly followed by trips to Iceland, the Alps and various missions across the UK in between for landscape photography work. A stand-out moment was a 4am climb to a peak in the alps to shoot the dawn light as it rose over the Mont Blanc mountain range. Although head torches and other means of lighting the way were to hand none of it was needed, a crystal clear night and a nearly full moon illuminated the path to the top – enough to see my own shadow! Reaching the top through a cloud inversion resulted in the most striking display of light as it glanced across the rocky pinnacles in adjacent Switzerland all seemingly suspended in space above a layer of cloud. Not a bad view for a morning’s walk..!

The workshop co-lead with photographer Jeremy Walker to Iceland in October was a resounding success and there are plans afoot to include a number of different destinations in Europe and beyond, indeed we are heading back to Iceland in a little over a month with another trip in March. Suggestions for potential locations will be duly noted.

The summer was, to many, a summer of sport. For me a highlight was having my work in the Henley Royal Regatta Gallery, it was wonderful to meet everyone who came by to see what was on display and were interested in the work I do. I am really looking forwards to this year’s regatta where I hope to have more up on the walls. Dates are from 3rd to 7th July, do get in touch if you plan to be there and would like to discuss my work or commissions.
 

Unless you had your head buried in the sand for the summer the main event was Great Britain playing host to thousands of hopeful athletes for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Getting the chance to see the world’s best athletes was inspiring but for me it was all about the rowing. Being there amongst the sell-out crowd, hearing ‘Dorney Roar’ and watching Team GB win their first Gold medal of the Games, thanks to Heather Stanning and Helen Glover Rowing in the Women’s Pair, was simply incredible. Not just the first of Team GB’s Gold medals but the first in GB Women’s Rowing history. This was shortly followed by the GB Men’s Eight winning a Bronze, who risked all to take the win from their main rivals Germany but couldn’t quite do it and were just edged out of Silver by the Canadians squeaking by on the line. It was a mix of heartbreak and elation, knowing they had set their aims firmly on Gold, but to come away with a medal when only weeks before a key member of the team was out of action is a great result.

Within all the travelling back and forwards 2012 also saw me co-create a 30 minute documentary film which I am hoping to release at a number of film festivals throughout summer of 2013. News about how to see it will be released as soon as possible.

At the end of 2012, having lived in the south west of England for 8 years, I moved [back] to London, my home town. When time allows I am enjoying exploring it bit by bit with a camera and discovering how different an environment it is. I do miss the wide open views and rolling hills I have grown accustomed to, now replaced by man-made structures that block horizons. But that hasn’t lessened my desire to explore my surroundings. It’s noisy, the smells can be choking and I can no longer see the stars even on clear nights but, in all the chaos, it is possible to find spaces and views. Hidden corners that show the place off, but you have to work hard to find and act on them.

2012 was a year filled with a range of assignments and unique challenges to overcome from the relative calm of capturing landscapes and being immersed in all that entails to the fast paced action of sports, from developing new skills and travelling to far off places to making new contacts and sharing ideas, it was a step on again from 2011 and certainly set the ball rolling for numerous projects already in motion this year. Excitingly a project I was involved with back in 2011, working on commission in Norway shooting landscape and commercial images for a client, and believed through lack of activity was shelved, is in fact very much going ahead again and my work will be published in a large (30cm x 30cm) coffee table book in connection with the project. More news on that once it’s done!

I am really looking forward to what (the rest of!) 2013 will bring…

(don’t forget you can keep up to date with more goings on at my facebook page)
 
 

For the duration of the workshop the island was in the midst of its vivid autumnal display. It’s hard to put a finger on the most spectacular of the locations because of this but certainly seeing the swath of colour stretching out across the continental divide (between European and American plates) at Þingvellir (Thingvellir) with mountains shrouded in clouds in the distance has to be up there near the top of the list.

Autumn colours across the continental divide at Thingvellir

Another favourite moment was thanks to Iceland’s location in the North Atlantic a direct result of which is the changeable and sometimes turbulent weather, “if you don’t like the weather just wait 5 minutes” never held so much truth. Whilst most heavy showers occurred when driving to or from a location, only once did we all beat a hasty retreat seeking the shelter of the minibus. Well, nearly all of us. A quick stop off at the famed Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon in overcast conditions resulted in the monolithic icebergs glowing incredible vivid blues against the dull grey background, undoubtedly more interesting than in the full glare of direct sunlight. Just as the rain started one group member remained steadfast in photographing this colourful transformation despite such inclement conditions. In my roll as workshop leader I stayed to help fine tune her composition and shield the front of the lens as it started to hammer down – my workshop co-leader in the meantime had taken the initiative and discovered the electric seat warmers in the minibus. All can say is it was lovely to find pre-warmed seats when we climbed in, if a little wet!

Glowing icebergs at Jokulsarlon in a heavy downpour

Highlights of the week were the autumn colours, the ooh’s and aah’s (and the occasional scream!) of delight as possibly one of the strongest northern lights displays I have ever seen danced overhead and the excellent and enlightening company of all the members of the group that made our job as leaders enjoyable.

I am very much looking forwards to our next trip to Iceland in March 2013 as well as a few new locations currently being researched.

Iceland, the very name of the place conjures thoughts of endless frozen wastelands, though the reality could not be further. Iceland continues to be shaped by violent natural forces. Located just beneath the Arctic Circle and straddling the continental divide between Europe and America, Iceland is battered by periodic volcanic eruptions, carved by glaciers and not to mention the north Atlantic weather system!

A visit in March this year proved there is no shortage of shooting locations, a canvas overlaid with features that vary from place to place and rarely repeat, from black volcanic runoff plains with rivers carved through them to moss-covered lava fields – and virtually everything in between – with mountains on the horizon. Even the impressively vacant spaces for miles and miles have features and shapes in them that change as you continue on down the road. The distances are vast, you see your destination on the horizon and still haven’t reached it after about an hour’s solid driving, so choosing where and what you want to see is critical in planning a successful trip out here. And at night, if you are lucky, a chance to see the Northern Lights as well has to be factored in.

After a busy summer working on a variety of different jobs, not forgetting the welcome distraction of the superb sporting events of the Olympics and Paralympics by talented athletes from around the world, I am now in Reykjavik and about start leading a week-long photographic workshop around Iceland. My workshop co-leader and photographer Jeremy Walker and I arrived a few days early to double check a few suitable locations for this week, autumn is in full swing here and the few trees that can be found with their leaves on still are brightly coloured yellows, oranges and reds. Everyone has now arrived and met, it’s a great group and I’m really looking forwards to guiding them and helping them get the best of their photography in some truly awe-inspiring locations.

Early start tomorrow as everything kicks off and we head to our first location!

The above image was made at the foot of a large cliff made of columnar basalt, large hexagonal columns contrasted brilliantly with the smoothed pebbles on the beach. In the distance, early morning sunlight was side-lighting the large foreboding leading edge of an approaching storm. I managed to get away before too much of a soaking.

My location photography has seen quite a contrast over the past month, the varying weather (typically unpredictable British Summer) and moving from the relative calm of the Thames, following rowing boats in the 50 foot long, wooden decked Umpire Launches at Henley Royal Regatta, to bouncing around in an inflatable, high speed rib on the turbulent waters of the Solent and Falmouth. This battering on the high seas is all to do with a documentary film project I am co-producing about the yacht Mariquita, one of the yachts taking part in the classic circuit, of which Westward Cup and Pendennis Cup regattas comprise the UK leg, with others planned in and around the Mediterranean later this summer. Although Mariquita is the focus of the project there were a host of other fantastic yachts racing alongside her from old to new with ages ranging from 1904 to 2010.

The 19 meter yacht Mariquita was originally made in 1911 and raced alongside contemporary yachts of the era until the world wars all but ended the heyday of the classic yacht racing scene. Many of the yachts disappeared, either broken up and salvaged to play a part in the war effort or simply left to rot in the shallows of an out of the way harbour. Luckily for Mariquita she was not dismantled for parts and was rescued in 1991 from her mud berth in Pin Mill shipyard on the east coast of England in a poor state of repair. A huge restoration took place in 2001 and she was re-launched in 2004 fully restored (right down to the last detail), since then she has been racing in classic events for craft of her type around Europe in numerous locations including Cowes, Falmouth, Ayrshire (Fife Regatta), Ajaccio, Antibes, Barcelona, Palma, Mahon, Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez.

As well as restoring Mariquita as a craft, the way she was sailed back in 1911 is continued today and completes the authenticity of such an endeavour. Every operation on the boat is done without the aid of powered mechanisms, teams of people are required to hoist sails and man winches, it retains the need for teamwork in order to sail her successfully and is an attribute the well drilled crew carry out brilliantly. It has been great meeting and getting to know the crew and owners of Mariquita, particularly watching them deal with the sometimes challenging and physically demanding conditions of the UK as they battle it out with their contemporaries, certainly this summer has had more than it’s share of rain-fall and high winds…hopefully it’ll be done by the time they continue the race circuit in the Mediterranean (and the Olympics start here in the UK!).

Special thanks to Alexander Creswell (Architectural and Marine watercolour painter) for his hospitality in Falmouth. Completion of the film is due towards the end of the year.

As the prestigious half-week-long knock-out event unfolds it never fails to bring with it soaring emotions and crashing despair as dreams are realised or obliterated in defeat. Despite the absence of some of the international teams this year, most of them away preparing for the 2012 London Olympic Games starting in a matter of weeks, the event did not disappoint and I was kept busy every day. Throughout the week there was some exciting racing and equally great photographic opportunities, a challenge for the former this year with the constant and unrelenting head-wind straight down the course – with a few heavy showers thrown in from time to time to challenge the latter! (images below)

Highlights include meeting competitors from as far away as Hong Kong and Japan, the Royal Barge Gloriana rowed up the course (in record slow time) crewed by past Olympians who later attended prize giving, chatting with Umpires on the way to the start in the launches before chasing some dramatic races, the roar of supporters as crews battle with just inches separating them to the finish line, a win for the University of London Boat Club and the positive feedback from everyone who went to see and buy my work in the Regatta Art Gallery (although a slow year for sales, word has it at the end of the week mine was the best selling photographic work there).

My thanks to the organisers, Stewards and countless officials who continue to make the special event what it is, not least their help in allowing me access to certain areas to photograph, I very much look forwards to returning in 2013 and seeing the GB Olympians succeed at this year’s games later this month!

There are some framed images still available, please contact me for more information.

I am thrilled to announce that at this year’s Regatta I will be having some of my work on display and For Sale in the Regatta Gallery Tent (found under the Grandstand in the Stewards’ Enclosure), the work will be up throughout week-long event and can be viewed by visitors to the Regatta between 27th June to 1st July. Only a handful of photographs have been selected from the collection to be displayed, though visitors may request to purchase any of those seen here on this website. The photographs will be presented in beautifully hand-made frames, double mounted and signed. With a final size of approximately 20 x 20 inches they will look stunning on any wall and at a special Regatta-only price of £250 you can’t go wrong!

I will be at the Regatta (even competing if my crew passes Qualification on 22nd June) and I am very much looking forwards to meeting people who come to discuss what is on display as well as want to know more about the other work I do around the world.

Example of Framed Henley Photograph

Apparently weekends are for winding down after busy weeks. A heady mixture of lie-ins, late breakfasts whilst reading the paper in bed, perhaps a nice walk somewhere to a pub lunch followed by an afternoon of relaxing in front of the telly…

When my alarm rudely buzzed me away from a deep and happy sleep last Saturday shortly after 5am I did wonder if I should forget my plans and revert to a state of hibernation. Fortunately a cursory peek out of the window settled my mind and I was soon heading out of the front door.

One broken tube train and a hastily caught bus ride later (grrrr!) I found myself sitting in a motorboat a little after 7am following some of the best rowing talent this country has to offer along the Thames. The weather could not have been better for what I had in mind. I was keen to focus more on movements within the boat, rather than the boat and crew as a whole (as I may have done in earlier work). Rowing is a balancing act of intense power and strength against utmost composure and control. An athlete cannot simply rip an oar with all their might through the water and hope to go fast as a result. The boat has to be driven and swept along smoothly, each stroke is a result of carefully coordinated sequence of movements to get the most out of the body and equipment in propelling the boat forwards (or backwards depending on your point of view). Timing is key.

All very much worth getting out of bed for!

As ever, my thanks to the Men and Women of ULBC allowing me to join them in their valuable training time.