Anglo Noir Shoot

Anglo Gold runs a design competition once a year called 'Auditions' in which designers can create gold showpieces. Dion Chang had outlined a number of characters on which the jewellery would be based and once the short-list of finalists were narrowed down, we were approached by Breinstorm and asked to shoot character shots in a Noir-style for a catalogue. Gabrielle De Gersigny (stylist) and I worked together with Breinstorm to create a story in a Noir style and these are a few of them. It was an amazing project to work on and everyone did an amazing job to pull it off. Bye.

Allan Gray

It was really amazing to shoot these, just strip everything down, shoot ambient light and film again. It was a simplicity that I missed and hopefully will be shooting more like this on some personal stuff. Here are a few from the campaign.

Needle In The Proverbial

This was one of the images that were used for the Eagle Awards 2009 campaign. Full stop.

Back-Tracking

So, it's been a while. So, hello again if there is anyone still out there? The next few posts are gonna be a little bit about the commercial stuff i've been busy with since my last post. I've done some campaigns for Allan Gray (which were shot on film again which was really cool), Bells, Anglo Gold, The Eagle Awards, A Boss Models exhibition that I took part in and some images from a Design Indaba Magazine editorial that has just been finished. It's just come out, so check it out.

I've just been away for a few weeks with my assistant Douglas and started some work on a personal project that I've been wanting to do for a long time. More of that as it progresses.

But in the meantime. Here are a couple very 'arty' polaroids that were shot at Jodie's (from Lampost) party.

Sandra

This is my girl Sandra. I think she is really beautiful. Last year she entered a hair competition for Candice Wyatt-minter from Wyatt hair salon and they did really well and travelled the world! This year they entered another competition and unfortunately didn't go through but it looked amazing. So, while her hair was still fairly freshly cut I decided to photograph her. I really love these, as I do her. This is the first of many a shoot of Sandra, so more to come.

Daughter Of 1000 Blues?

Hey. This is Federico (from Son Of 1000 Blues) and his daughter. I shot it in between set ups on a recent shoot. Bye.

Hope And Homes For Children

About a month ago, I was asked to go out to Hammanskraal to do a shoot for an Aids NGO based in the UK called Hope And Homes For Children. It was for their annual review and featured a few case studies of Aids Orphans in the Hammanskraal area. It was a very brief encounter, but I want to do a follow up story sometime soon. The group have set up an office and a few community centres that are basically geared toward looking after the children that have lost parents due to HIV/Aids. They are doing some really great work and I really loved the opportunity to work with them. It was the first time in a while I had done work of this nature and it was a great experience.

8 Days Work, 3 Days Play

So, I'm down in Cape Town at the moment working on a few things and I had a few days off, so my girlfriend came down and we headed up the West Coast for some quiet time. Here are some pictures as my words fail me right now. So, listen to 'Sleepless' by The Decemberists and dream of the desolation. Goodnight.

An Update At Last

Black Coffee for Mercedes Magazine

FHM Editorial

Cleo Magazine

There are a few things that never see the light of day on my blog. Mostly because after waiting for it to be published, I simply forget. Other things I'm waiting to show the world, I don't know why yet, but I am. There are a couple of music projects i'd like to post but haven't yet because I'd like to do something with them. But these I will show.

There are a few portraits for Channel O magazine featuring DJ Sbu, Kelly Khumalo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Khanyi Mbau, Simphiwe Dana, DJ Waxxy, ProKid and Lira that i'll post soon. Then a couple of editorials for Cleo and FHM, Some portraits of Black Coffee for Mercedes Benz magazine and then a day filled with beer in a Catholic primary school hall for a gift for my friend Candice's boyfriend Michael. Been pretty hectic this month so I may post what I've been doing soon. But I'm really interested in starting a 'real' project.

We'll see what transpires!

Bye.

Prestidigitation & A Reindeer Named Knut

routine was the theme, he'd wake up and...wash and pour himself into uniform
something he hadn't imagined being...
as the merging traffic passed, he found himself staring, down, at his own hands..
not remembering the change, not recalling the plan, was it...?
he was okay, but wondering about wandering
was it age? by consequence? or was he moved by sleight of hand?
mondays were made to fall, lost on a road he knew by heart
it was like a book he read in his sleep, endlessly...
sometimes he hid in his radio, watching others pull into their homes
while he was drifting...
on a line, of his own, off the line, on the side
by the by, as dirt turned to sand, as if moved by sleight of hand
when he reached the shore of his clip-on world
he resurfaced to the norm
organized his few things, his coat and keys...
any new realizations would have to wait till he had more time, more time...
time to dream, to himself
he waves goodbye, to himself
i'll see you on the other side...
another man...moved by sleight of hand...

I've been listening to a lot of Pearl Jam again lately. It takes me back a lot and puts things into perspective again. Been struggling to gain perspective lately. The world of commercial photography is not far removed from the sentiments of Eddie Vedder above. Having said that however, the challenges are vast and most of the time really interesting. I love what I do. Immensely. And this year calls for more personal endeavors within the genre. Got my hands on a Linhof 4 x 5 and it's beautiful. Gotta play!

Speaking of commercial photography, these were for a Cape Union Mart Christmas campaign. I shot it in and around Cape Town towards the end of last year and other than the wind, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

He waves goodbye, i'll see you on the other side.

Window Vs Door

Hello. I hope you are all splendid. This is from an editorial that I shot yesterday. They're definitely not gonna publish this shot, but I quite like it, so here it is.

Fishpaste & Crosswords

These two wonderful people are my grandparents. My grandmother is 93 and my grandfather is 94. They are incredible, I've spent most of my nearly 30 years getting to know them and they inspire me so much. Most of the sights, smells and fond memories as a child are thanks to them. They have been married for 70 years now and celebrated their Platinum Wedding Anniversary last year. I feel like a lucky man.

Missing Home

So, my beloved Beetle is gone. It was stolen just over a week ago with my laptop. Fuckers. This is my favourite photograph of her! Yeah, I know I'm getting soppy but I loved that car dammit! If you see it, please let me know, the registration number was CVX433GP and it was black with white doors.

About A Girl

Of Beaches & Generators

I recently shot a campaign for Sun Coast Casino in Durban, we shot plates at the casino and then some models in studio and one model on the beach in Cape Town. After being rained out the first day in Cape Town, we returned on a glorious day, which was rad for photography but really shit in terms of lugging gear and a generator through beach sand. By the end of the day Jason and I were broken men! But with the promise of beer and these last couple shots I took of Armanda, all ended well.

Slow Show

A while ago, 2 very cool Wits students approached me about doing a short documentary about me and my work. The idea they had was based on a French film 'Le Jetee' made up entirely of still black and white images. After a series of very chilled meetings and interview sessions they had what they needed. We had chatted about them accompanying me on a 'personal' shoot but due to the fact I had to leave for a while on a job, they came to the very next shoot I had booked. They still may accompany me on a job of a more personal nature to add to the documentary.

I think they did a great job and it was a super humbling experience for me. They even threw in 'Slow Show' by The National for good measure! so thanks to Samantha Nell and Mark Middlewick for making it easy and doing something rad. Here's a YouTube link if you wanna see it.

This is a pic that Samantha took of me on the shoot. I don't have many pictures of myself and I really love this pic.