Stratford Upon Avon Street Photography

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My wife Lisa booked herself on to a photography workshop in Stratford Upon Avon and took me along for a stay in the local Youth Hostel overnight, to accompany her.  I wasn't going to sit around in the hostel all day on my tod. So I'd planned a whole day of shooting some street photography to kill some time.

Armed with my new Fuji X-Pro 1, 2 full batteries and a 32GB card; I began by searching for a free parking space, alas... Free Parking and small jaunt in to the town centre.

As any Street Photographer will tell you, it's probably the hardest form of photography known to man and alike a sport for us photographers.  The best way to get in to your stride is to sit and look through some of your favourite websites at some of your favourite photographers to get some inspiration before you set off.

Make sure you've got some good footwear on because you're gonna walk for a long time and quite far.  Have money on you, so you can stop and get refreshments along the route.  I prefer to find small cafes in interesting areas, so I can watch the world go by while I'm eating and drinking for fuel.

The entire evening before, I was somewhat absent minded because I was thinking hard about a theme that I'd like to make some work around in Stratford.  I even spent all morning before arriving; considering what I might find and what style I'd like to shoot in.  I asked myself questions like; What kind of people visit Stratford?  Should I make something around tourists? Should I make a satirical view or be more serious?

I'll be honest, once I was there on the street, everything went out of the window and I just took what I could find.  I did find it very difficult but here are some of the results from my days work.

I also shot some in colour and as you guessed, it became satirical.  I like to play and add some humour in to my work where I can...

Of course these are my favourites from the day and you'll never see the ones that didn't make it!  There's always pictures that stay hidden.

If you liked my work, please leave a comment.  I'm open to critique as well.

Modern, Deep, Distraction

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This is a a triptych of images concentrating on how the light trails from aeroplanes zip through the night sky like meteors from outer space.  

My intention was to create an abstract series using these light trails to add drama to what would normally be perceived as a boring picture.  

Gazing deep in to the night sky, considering all things universal and with the interruption of human progress and the modern technology of today's transportation, as a distraction.  

These pictures serve as a metaphor for how modern humanity has become obsessed with science and technology. 

 

This link below will take you to the website of my long running social documentary of Hinckley & Bosworth District.

Beautiful Suicide

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Almost 20 years ago, I lost a very good friend to suicide.  Jamie was his name, he hung himself in the flat that we shared over a bout of hidden depression.  He left this world from the comfort of his own home.  It left a trail of destruction behind that has been dealt with but never forgotten. The feelings of pain, loss, grief, anger, isolation are too real when you're left wondering why.

Mental illnesses have been looked down on in the past by few but in 2016, more and more people are more sensitive to the very real nature of the beast, yet it still goes on.  As we approach the anniversary of the late celebrity Robin Williams, it seems appropriate to raise more awareness.

This project called 'Beautiful Suicide' is a disconnected view of an area of outstanding natural beauty along the Jurassic coast line of Devonshire, in particular the cliff top walk from Exmouth to Sandy Bay.  The walk begins with a sign for the Samaritans, which immediately draws your attention to the historical nature of human suicide through association.  Yet these cliff tops are so beautiful when looking out to sea and the surrounding countryside.  

It's hard to imagine somebody taking their lives when they have so much beauty staring them in the face but they do.

They leap to their deaths, leaving behind stunning views of the world.

Perhaps it's more beautiful where they go to?

Perhaps, to them it doesn't matter?

Perhaps, to us, they do!

Commercial, PR, Editorial & Landscape Photographer Services

Commercial, PR, Editorial & Landscape Photographer Services

I provide professional photographic services across the United Kingdom but centrally based on the border of Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

You can click on any of the above links to learn more about these services and look at some of my previous work in those areas.

My current client list:

I also offer video and movie production that can be used by corporate businesses for promotion or presentation.  I create work that can be used by charities and NGO's when applying for funding etc.

To have a look at some of my video production work, click here.

Contact for professional photographic, video and media services.

A Tough Job with SSAFA (Armed Forces Charity)

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I've left it a week before I wrote this blog because it's taken me this long to come to terms with the assignment I have just completed with SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen's Families Association), who have just become a new client for my professional photography business.

If you haven't heard of SSAFA, you can follow this link to see who their charity helps.  They were formed and designed to help the armed forces, Veterans and their families with a number of issues.

They support the British military at home and abroad and are the oldest and longest running military charity.

The assignment I was given, was to make a photographic reportage documentary about an event where the Parents and families of the fallen military men and women, come together to remember them and to help provide support for each other.

It was a very difficult assignment because it felt like being a photographer at a funeral.  The families were sometimes very emotionally upset and to point a camera at the parents of a fallen soldier didn't come naturally.  I truly felt their woes and shed some tears for them the following day, once what I'd done sank in.

I'm a firm believer in the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, so no more from me, have a look for yourself...

Click on images to enlarge.

Thanks for reading and looking through this project.  As you may have noticed; it was very emotional for the families and difficult for me to document.

I welcome any new enquiries about working with me on any assignments, so if you'd like to discuss any future photographic projects with me, please follow this link to get in touch.

Jewellery Quarter

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I was invited to talk to a photography club in Birmingham earlier this week.  I spent a few days organising my presentation about my own photographic journey and especially around my documentary photography.

It was nice to meet so many pleasant photographers showing an interest in my work because lets face it, photography is an industry where your work is created from the heart.  Recognition and being able to show your work is what it's about for the most part.  

I think the majority is more to do with understanding yourself and your own practice.

Prior to doing the talk, I spent a couple of hours walking around the Jewellery Quarter making some photographs.  I did some Street Photography and made a few Urban Landscapes.

Click on each image to enlarge...

In other news;  I've picked up a fantastic new client that I'm really proud of.  SSAFA is the Armed Forces Charity and have requested that I cover some very emotional events for them and the families that they support.

Sir David Attenborough & The Attenborough Arts Centre Documentary Film

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A team of four people; Paul Hands, Kate Rendell, Lydia Wood and Ανδρέας Πολυκάρπου created and produced a short documentary with Sir David Attenborough on behalf of the Attenborough Arts Centre at Leicester University.

We're sharing this now at an appropriate time with Sir David Attenborough's 90th birthday being on Sunday 8th May, 2016.

Attenborough opened a newly refurbished arts centre on Lancaster Road in Leicester on behalf of his late brother Lord Richard Attenborough who worked so hard during his life for the arts and helped to form Attenborough Arts Centre in his name.

Please click on the image below to watch the short documentary and then follow this link to visit the website for Attenborough Arts Centre.

Gorman's Fight Club Documentary Film

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Following on from my recent book 'Behind The Gloves', This short documentary film is about a Gypsy Traveler, Jerry Gorman and his group of hardened unlicensed boxers, set in the middle of England.

The entire production from start to finish has been created by myself but with verbal guidance from Senior De Montfort University lecturers; Nick Lockett and Laura McGregor.

Please click on the image to play the film and leave a comment for me afterwards (beneath).

Professional Public Relations & Commercial Photographer, Leicestershire, Midlands

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Paul Hands is a qualified and experienced public relations and commercial photographer.  He has crafted his photographic techniques with a very wide variety of commercial high end clients like Coventry City Council, Mode Transport Planning in Birmingham, Worldwide PR agencies - Citizen Relations UK and Hill Knowlton Strategies, Hinckley Island Hotel, Cineworld - Hinckley, Lloyds Pharmacy, North Warwickshire & Hinckley College, Midland Studio College, Tyre Medics, Jury's Inn, and G. Seller & Co.

The list of prestigious clients grows as Paul delivers a quality of photography that is so good, his clients repeatedly re-hire him.

All businesses need to fashion themselves a professional image so that they can attract the right clients for them.  I can work creatively with your organisation to really show your clients why they should be using you.  Show them what you think of your business and don't settle for an image that isn't representative of what you offer.

If you need a professional photographer in the United Kingdom and specifically around Leicestershire, Warwickshire and the Midlands, follow this link to contact Paul with your enquiries.

Also you can view some examples of his work here...

Paul uses high end expensive Nikon equipment and has a delicate nature with regards to a post production service, that truly enhances the imagery for all commercial clients, giving them a solid and professional image.

Marco Pierre White, Hinckley Island Hotel, Jury's Inn PR Photography

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It was a pleasure to be commissioned for a commercial public relations photography shoot for Marco Pierre White and his visit to one of his prestigious restaurants based at Jury's Inn, Hinckley Island Hotel. 

If you're conversant with Whites personality, you'll understand that the shoot didn't go to plan and I worked with the staff from Black and White promotions (one of Whites companies) to get the best photography from the evenings dining and book signing event.  After showing the list of required photographs to the people running the event, they said to forget some of the photos because Marco does what Marco wants!

Knowing that's how he works, I worked him to the best photographic advantage.  As a professional public relations photographer, I knew to make the best of all situations that arose that evening and here's a selection of some of the photographs.

 

If you'd like to visit any of the websites for the companies involved with this event, please click on the logos below.