Hot fuzz 3

Seeing as we are on a heavy Police kick this past week it might be worth taking a look see at the behind the scenes antics from their relatively recent Rolling Stone cover shoot. Watch photographer Max Vadukul pull the magic out of his back pocket as legendary photo director Jodi Peckman gives us the play by play.

Hot Fuzz . . . . the sequel

As if there wasnt enough to do tonight, Taschen is hosting a book signing for Policeman Andy Summers and his monograph 'I'll Be watching You: The Police 1980-83' tonight at their Soho store, 107 Greene Street from 7.00pm-9.00pm. Be sure to arrive early as they are expecting a large crowd.

Hot Fuzz

Last night saw the Mrs and I taking in the scene at Milk Gallery for the opening of 'I Will Be Watching You: Inside the Police 1980-83' a pictorial peak at the behind the scenes goings on by the bands resident photographer and guitarist Andy Summers. The show coincides with the release of an accompanying book published by Taschen which in turn coincides nicely with the bands reunion tour. It was quite the turn out, complete with film crew covering Mr Summers every move and a roped off VIP area for the artist and his entourage although he mingled freely with an adorning crowd. No sign of the other two stars of the show Messrs Sting and Copeland though.

"In a minute, I'll put down the guitar and pick up a camera. Sting and Stewart are already out there somewhere. I can hear Stewart whacking away at his banjo. My cameras are in that black bag down there...two Nikon FEs and three lenses with 20 rolls of Tri-X. Music - photography? The path through the centre of this experience? Another way of dreaming through the electric bubble of fame - the moth's wing that flames out leaving only the trace of notes, chords, rhythms. Paint with light - trap it in a cluster of silver halide and put it away in a drawer. I stick the end of my guitar out above the crowd and shoot." Andy Summers

The show is a real step back in time; the 80's weren't really that long ago were they ? Summers a photographer first and guitarist second took his cameras on the road and captured an intimate look at the bands life in the fast lane at the peak of its powers. Oh and how they were all so young and sexy. I was never a huge Police fan growing up but have a soft spot for these pictures, everything seems so rock and roll and in this day and age where we are inundated by controlled sterile flawless celebrity imagery there's a magical raw spontaneous innocence to these images.

Got a minute to talk to Rassi, Milk Studios supremo and the man behind the gallery who gave us the scoop on how the final show selects were made. Rassi and Summers went through the complete archive of material and chose to display some images that are not in the book. These particular images include a few tasty nudes of young ladies (groupies ?) in various states and it turns out that tonight was the first time that Mrs Summers had seen a number of these revealing photos in all their glory.

Me, Sting and Andy having a blast by Mrs Taylor-Hetherington

Spotted in the crowd were photographers Max Vadukal, Man, Michael Williams, Hunter Barnes and the BIG UP himself Ben Watts.

Under control

This week sees the limited US release of the biopic 'Control' about the late Ian Curtis lead singer with ground breaking 80's post-punk band Joy Division. Directed by the famed music photographer Anton Corbijn; perhaps one of the biggest influences on my own photography when I was starting out. Not only did I have a hard on for the Corbijn style I was also heavily into the bands he was photographing during my formative years. I grew up on Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen and even had the pleasure of seeing most as a teenager live at famed Dublin venue the SFX. I was a couple of years too young to experience Joy Division in real time but the albums were a treasured part of my vinyl collection and Curtis already had an aura of mystery surrounding his short life.


Corbijn began taking photographs in the early seventies and moved to London in 1979. He became a regular contributor to weekly music bible New Music Express. His raw approach and talent in the dark room helped create a unique style that was such a part of the visual language of music photography in the 80's and 90's it has in itself become a little cliched. A few of us back in the day in Dublin discovered how to mimic his toning techniques and we were all at it in no time, the city was full of Corbijn like prints. I cannot remember the exact combination of chemistry but it involved the use Oriental Seagull glossy fiber paper developed in Kodalith - would only work with the powder which I think came in two parts A+B and not with the liquid version - it might have even been 1 part A 1 part B to 2 parts water or something like that. Kodak discontinued the powder at one stage so I think we bought every packet going, a common experience these days whens one favorite film, paper etc is no longer deemed viable.

Photo © Anton Corbijn

Corbijns influence was immeasurable and his work with bands like U2, R.E.M. and Depeche Mode was ground breaking. He has come full circle as it was his pictures of Joy Division taken only weeks before Curtis's passing; although shunned at the time as being too arty and obscure that went on to became the defining images of the band and in doing so launched Antons rise to fame. I only have one of his books 'Star Trak' and have been meaning to pull it from its place of rest for sometime. He has subjected countless celebrities to his treatment and directed many a memorable music video although his star seems to have dulled a bit over the last few years. 'Control' has received mixed reviews so far in the press but may be worth a trip for the cinematography and art direction alone. 80's Manchester has been recreated in all its grey (black and white) glory; not a particularly happy time in this great cities history but a pivotal moment in terms of music and youth culture paving the way for a vibrant scene that culminated in the the late 80's and early 90's when the city became 'Madchester' the cultural epicenter of all things new and cool.

Email mate . . . . Chris Floyd

Photos © Chris Floyd

One of many great things about this blog for me has been the emails I have received out of the blue from photographers whos work I have long admired but have never met or had any contact with. In some cases this has led to hooking up over a pint and with others the promise to do so in the near future.

About a month ago I got an email from Chris Floyd based in London. Chris an Englishman, lived in New York for sometime but our paths never crossed. I am familiar with his work as he was a regular fixture on the editorial scene and has been published all over the place. Chris returned to old Blighty last year with his wife and daughter where he also has one mum, one dad and one sister. Turns out we have some mutual industry friends and he stumbled across the blog while googling the new Photo Director of Orchard Represents Nancy Jo Iacoi. It looks like Chris will be in NYC in October so hopefully he will be taking me out on the town what with the strength of the mighty Pound Sterling against the weak US Dollar.

Chris is represented by Orchard and until now didn't have a solo website. I hooked him up with Livebooks et voila he's up and running and pretty in pink, obviously a renaissance man, go here and you will see what I mean. There is lots of choice work; Chris is one of those photographers who is comfortable in all situations. I am particularly drawn to the work in his 'Nineties' portfolio, not saying that the new stuff isn't up to snuff, but I have a particular kinship with most of the subjects as they are all a part of my own musical youth. Most of the artists Chris photographed are personal favorites and I remember a lot of the photographs but didn't associate him with them. The portfolio includes memorable images of Shawn Ryder and Bez from The Happy Mondays, Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Tricky, Massive Attack, Richard Ashcroft and The Verve, Ian Brown, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp, Suede, Supergrass, Damon Albarn, Orbital, The Beta Band, PJ Harvey, Joe Strummer, The Charlatans and The Manic Street Preachers a real whos who of British music aristocracy when cool Britania ruled the waves.

Oh and all the photographs on the site are up for sale so how about a nice 8x10 of Shawn and Bez on the house Chris for giving you the shout out ?

Here's to you Chris Floyd !

This could get interesting ?

Well for those of you who are interested in the inner most workings of magazine photo departments this two day old blog could end up being quite revealing. A Photo Editor is penned by an anonymous National Magazine Photo Director based here in New York who requests that their name or magazine not be revealed so that they can keep their blog and job. For the record I do not know who it is although I could hazard a guess, Kathy Ryan perhaps of The New York Times Magazine, thats a joke by the way ! But Craig Cutler knows as he is mentioned in todays post, oh and we do know that he/she is a big Seal fan.

Anyways whoever you are I am very much looking forward to all future posts.

Here's to you Photo Editor !

Congratulations . . . . Norman Jean Roy

Photo © Norman Jean Roy

Congrats to Norman Jean Roy on realising the dream and signing a corporate contract with Conde Nast to shoot for several of the publishing companies top titles including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Mens Vogue and Glamour. Norman has shot for these magazines in the past but the contract should be laden with all those extra perks that freelancers can't get their hands on. Guaranteed number of work days, 1st class travel, budgetless budgets, having the green M&M's removed from the party mix, etc, etc. He joins the ranks of famed photogs Annie Leibovitz and Patrick Demarchelier in getting the keys to the executive washroom.

Photo © Norman

I only assisted Norman on one shoot many years back, Salt N' Peppa for Vibe or Spin I can't seem to remember. I have to say that he has been most cordial to me when we have met since and has always taken the time to compliment me on my own work, thanks man. Norman relocated to Los Angeles from New York some years back and I haven't seen him in some time. Well known for his celebrity work Norman also dabbles in the fashion world and has also lensed some major advertising campaigns including the current Samsonite campaign featuring French actor Jean Reno (above) and other celebs, not unlike Annie's work for Louis Vuitton (below) ? .

Photo © Annie

Norman is represented by super agent David Maloney at Art Department, a true gent who is also responsible for handling the careers of Platon, Robert Maxwell, Nick Waplington, Christian Witkin, now there's some top talent

Heres to you NJR !

About last night . . . . Paddy whackery

Due to a mystery injury sustained by Shane MacGowan (surprise) last nights Pogues gig was cancelled. Of course you are all the way to the venue door before you find out.

Looking forward to trying to get someone on the phone over @ friendly Ticketmaster, see if there are any tickets left for tonight or put in for a refund, that should take an hour or so. Thanks Shane !