2012 Mishmash

2012 was a mishmash of a year in London while pursuing my masters and it shows in the collection of images. To make a long story short of my most haphazard year of photography thus far it was variety of mediums, subjects, cities thoughts, and focus.

Unalike Zones

Along with the videos of people on London Underground I decided to also do video to show the inverse of the stills I had been doing earlier in the year. Together and yet in there own way separately  the video and stills show the actions and reactions of commuters wandering eye whilst trying to avoid eye contact with each other on the Underground.

When Life Gives You Nettles

Make nettle soup. If you are not familiar with a nettles its a flowering plant that has stinging hairs that you would try to avoid for obvious reasons. My main objective was envisioned back when I first saw photos of the Weekender was to do portraits with a analog medium format camera in front of a white backdrop.

Having a few complications trying to get a pretty large seamless backdrop I settled with bringing a white cloth background. This was also not meant to be though as the rig for the backdrop that I had borrowed from a buddy I found once getting to Hemsby that it didn't have crossbar. I felt as though I had been dropped in a sea of nettles. While trying to figure out a solution I was told that the holiday site had a white projector so I ran with it effectively making my nettle soup.

Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender Day 3

A mother and son wait for other members of their family to come back from ordering breakfast at Hollywood Diner in the town of Hemsby to start off the third day of the 49th Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender, October 6th, 2012.

I spent my last day in Hemsby tracking down as many people as I could for portraits and a little bit of time in the actual town where weekenders will venture into throughout the day to 50s themed shops and the seaside.

Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender Day 2

A 50s enthusiast stands outside of his chalet during the second day of the 49th Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender in Hemsby, October 5th, 2012.

The second day of weekender was a day where I loosened up a bit after absorbing what the event had to offer getting back into a editorial style rhythm.

Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender Day 1

A Seacroft staff member does a mic check on the main stage during the first day of the 49th Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender in Hemsby, October 4th, 2012.  

Back in Denver before coming out to London I happened to come across a few photos from a biannual Rock 'n' Roll themed weekender in the English Midlands. The second I saw it I knew I had to go there. Not knowing really what to expect I had two ideas of things I wanted to do while I was there and I jumped in.

The weekend is what you would imagine, 50s rockabilly enthusiasts spread their escapists wings for a weekend getting dressed up in the traditional garb, hang out, drink, and dance in a holiday village in the seaside village of Hemsby.

 The weekend was interesting to say the least. Besides covering a little bit of Manchester City winning the Premiership last season it had been a good year since doing any sort of journalistic/editorial type shooting. Much of the year shooting without looking through a viewfinder while taking candids of people on the Underground going back took a little getting used to go again. On another note I can't thank everyone who organizes the weekender and the staff of at Seacroft for being as accommodating as they were. Also to Simone who came along to assist with some portraits and making the weekend that much more entertaining.

Winter is upon us

A man watches a game of cricket in a park in the London Borough of Lewisham on June 6th, 2012

Almost a month into the fall and it occurred to me that considering the potential apocalypse I had to make sure I got one more shot in from back in June since it could be my last chance.