Photographing Question Marks

According to some family elders when I was a young kid, although I was generally very obedient, compliant and well-behaved, there was something I would regularly say that disrupted the stereotype. This phrase was, why should I? I remember being teased by some relatives, exaggerating and elongating the way I pronounced “shhhoould”. Decades later, I’m … Read more

Googly Eyes & Eyebombing – A Photographic Collection of my Favourite Encounters

On a recent visit to Tel Aviv whilst walking through the Carmel Market area one evening I came across a sign at a construction site: The Hebrew text states it is compulsory to wear protective glasses. Seeing this well-worn sign with its additional shiny googly eyes was a decisive moment and I felt it was … Read more

Venice Carnival 2022, Part 2

In this post I’ll be presenting a selection images focussing on masquerade, showing people in full carnival costume at the Venice 2022 Carnival. The first couple I encountered were literally hanging out and posing in San Mark’s Square on a quiet day in the lead up to Mardi Gras. Notice that the woman is double-masked … Read more

Reach Out and Touch

In this post I’m featuring a selection of images on the theme of touch with a focus on holding holds and linking arms rather intimate embrace. I’ve been reading about touch deprivation and how this affects our mental health. Since the onset of the Pandemic nearly two years ago the way we communicate socially has … Read more

Unknown but Familiar Faces: Old Photos in Cafés & Bars

One of the things I miss most during the extended London lockdowns is sitting down at a café and people watching, writing my journal or reading. I miss both this solitary experience and the regular meet ups with my sons, partner and close friends. Sitting in cafés is an entrenched ritual that feels very much … Read more

Bathroom Encounters that I just had to Photograph

Today is Cuban singer Omara Portuondo’s 90th birthday. I suddenly remembered the time some twenty years ago when I was working at the BBC and encountered her in the Ladies loos. Despite her being a huge star, she was very gracious and obliging, letting me photograph her whilst at the sink washing her hands: I’ve … Read more

Visuals of Sad Faces and Downturned Mouths

I was in Venice last week for my birthday, staying on the Lido. On a visit to the mainland I photographed a section of a shop window that caught my eye: On the left, the mask has a downturned mouth. On the right the face has big bushy white eyebrows and deep grooves chiselled in … Read more

Photographic Encounters with Surgical Masks

As I write in the midst of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic there have been over 800,000 cases worldwide resulting in a death toll exceeding 40,000. The UK has officially been in lockdown for over a week; the government advice is to stay home. The only exceptions are going out for daily exercise and shopping for food … Read more

A Visual Journey Inspired by Sunglasses

It was exactly 40 years ago when, as a student in Venice, I first encountered a phenomenon that I found both simultaneously attractive and ludicrous. Walking along the Zattere – a waterfront promenade – in late Autumn there were groups of young Italian guys hanging out and people watching. These guys were cool, and they … Read more