Terry Scales

This is artist Terry Scales, 78, in his Greenwich home and studio. He's a lovely and humble man who has been painting scenes along the Thames since he was a boy and will soon have an exhibition at The Old Royal Naval College. Go see it!

"I remember making my first river painting in 1946 at the age of 13. It was in John Minton’s class at Camberwell School of Art. Ever since then I have seen the Thames as a constant source of ideas and challenging subject matter." Quote from his website.

You can also watch a piece on Terry from the BBC here.

Upcoming exhibition info here.

New hobbies

Portrait of Frederick Salter in his home. © Magnus Andersson

Today I met Frederick Salter, a man at the tender age of 99 who also happens to be the oldest competitive dancer around. He told me about his recent appearance on TV with Bruce Forsyth. He told me about his experiences in WWII and likened the current war in Afghanistan to 'peanuts' compared to what they went through back then.

He's 99 and only took up dancing six years ago. What new hobby will you take up at 93? This man is of the kind which I think wont be around by the time my generation (if ever) reaches 99, let alone taking up new hobbies.

Just look at the twinkle in his eyes. Makes me proud just to have met him and shared some stories together.

Jallim Eudovic

Three people carrying the body of a dead person; sculpture by Jallim Eudovic. © Magnus Andersson

Last week I visited the Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford for an event on Black History Month, but this post isn't really related to that (yet it is). Instead, the receptionist kindly reminded me of an earlier session which I photographed during the summer and then completely forgot to tell you about, along with a million other things.

Mother and child; sculpture by Jallim Eudovic. © Magnus Andersson

As a newspaper photographer I meet and photograph a lot of people during the course of a week and occasionally you make a connection with your subject. I'm not going to go into the art of handling your portrait subject (just google it) because I don't know how it works , but when the connection happens, it is a rare thing, and on this particular occasion my subject was a young artist from St. Lucia called Jallim Eudovic. I arrived early and had time to look at his sculptures on my own. They were nothing short of exceptional.

The banking system; sculpture by Jallim Eudovic. © Magnus Andersson

Cutting long stories short, I was already taken by his work but when Jallim himself arrived, he was certainly a breath of fresh air. He's a modest man, and he took great care explaining every single sculpture to me, the history, the cultural significance, and his recording of fading traditions from his own society, the story behind each object. It dawned on me that he really is a man documenting, observing and writing the obit of his own local history. To be a local newspaper photographer somewhat paled into insignificance, if it wasn't for these moments of connection.


Building windows; a sculpture by Jallim Eudovic. © Magnus Andersson

If I had been rich I would have bought one of his sculptures straight away but as it stands, all I can do is try to share some of his craftsmanship. Wouldn't it be nice to make a visit to Jallim's studio in St. Lucia one day?


Portrait of artist Jallim Eudovic. © Magnus Andersson

No news

Another face (painted kid) in the crowd, this time Jonathan, aged 6. © Magnus Andersson

Its August, the driest month of the year when it comes to news, and consequently there aren't that many interesting images being produced either. Many people are away on their holidays, the school kids are off for the summer and we struggle to fill the pages with interesting stories. For us photographers its an endless sea of face painted kids (like Jonathan above from earlier today) enjoying their well deserved break.

My little summer break comes up in a weeks time when I'm off to the grumble fest of photojournalism; Visa Pour l'image in Perpignan. There will be lots of grumbling of course, but also tonnes of rumbling. Bring it on.

The boxer

Otuo, a 15-year old boxer, photographed after sparring with his trainer in an east London gym. He is a promising young boxer from Peckham, south London, one to keep an eye on for the future, according to his trainer. © Magnus Andersson

Gandalf vs Magneto vs Godot

Sir Ian McKellen talks to students at a Theatre Peckham workshop. © Magnus Andersson

In a face-off between the above mentioned characters I reckon that Godot would win every time, simply because by the time Godot turns up (if at all), the other two would have done each other in already. Anyway, lets face it, its not often that life feels complete but on Tuesday it all came together.

I grew up reading Tolkien books as a kid and then one of the living legends of the dramatic arts - and a personal hero of mine - made a surprise visit to Peckham; Sir Ian McKellen. He is known as Gandalf from Lord of the Rings to most people of my generation, and he came to look at the various workshops led by Theatre Peckham (he's the patron) at the Harris Academy. Best of all; being the only media there, reporter Lindsey and me had an exclusive.

Ian keenly observes a drama class. © Magnus Andersson

His role for the afternoon was simple - observe and don't intrude. The kids in these groups were all teenagers or younger and perhaps wasn't quite aware of the grandeur of such a presence, which made the whole thing that little bit sweeter. Most of them seemed to recognise him as Magneto from X-Men rather than Gandalf and he ordered them all to go and watch LOTR immediately.

I think for a moment Ian (apparently he doesn't like to be called Sir) could actually just sit back and relax, taking in the enthusiasm of new talent and their interpretations of the old classics by Shakespeare.

Mr. McKellen is course a man of integrity but he is also a man of the people. He didn't mind arriving in a small Fiat Punto. I got a couple of shots of him coming out of the car before the pinnacle occurred - he shook my hand and I introduced myself. My life was complete. Meeting your idols can sometimes be a bit disappointing. I once met one of my favourite musicians (who shall remain nameless) and after a short rebuttal for an interview, I simply couldn't listen to his music anymore, the illusion was shattered. Luckily I had no such bad luck with McKellen.

Drama class action. © Magnus Andersson

I'm not sure if he believed me when I said my name is Magnus - the same name as his character Magneto in the X-Men movies - but from there on in we had a non-speaking relationship. Observer photographer Jane Bown once claimed that a photographer should neither be heard nor seen, and that's exactly what I did - until I asked him for a close-up that is. Nearly two hours in to what should have been a 30 minutes stay, I had kept my distance. We had been promised a few minutes at the end so hopefully I would get my shot as well...

And before we get to that awkward moment, let me just explain how the whole thing went. Ian would be led into a room of youngsters going through their various dramatic routines, and he simply sat down to observe. As I was the only photographer there from the media I didn't feel like I had to get in Ian's face, instead shooting from a distance and hoping that I would get some nice shots at the end when we had been promised an interview.

Two students act out a scene from Macbeth in front of Sir Ian. © Magnus Andersson

In the early 90's I was doing some media studies paired with Irish studies (don't ask) in the deep south of Sweden and my final dissertation was to be on the works on Samuel Beckett, the Irish playwright of Waiting for Godot. Just like Godot, my final paper never arrived. However, Sir Ian has just finished performing this play in London - and the final performance was last night - but don't fret if you didn't get to see it because the play is about to go on a world tour, so you might have a chance to catch him treading some boards near you.

It was great to hear his thinly veiled contempt for some of the [unnamed] actors in X-Men, who perhaps didn't take their trade as seriously as he does, although both Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart got a mention as good colleagues. Ouch. I don't think he cares much for his American colleagues.

McKellen showcasing some scenes from LOTR, including 'You shall not pass' on the right. © Magnus Andersson

He did a couple of re-enactments of LOTR scenes and the kids were non-plussed. They had no idea what had hit them, until he did a Magneto move instead. All of a sudden the kids where with him. I felt old immediately. He also explained that when he filmed the famous scene in LOTR where Gandalf The Grey tries to stop the Balrog on the bridge, the graphics people hadn't even designed the Balrog yet, so he had no idea what it looked like. Instead he had to film the scene with a stand-in for the Balrog in the shape of a perfectly normal tennis ball. Remember that next time you watch Gandalf shout 'You shall not pass!'.

McKellen during a short Shakespeare monologue. © Magnus Andersson

My favourite bit though was when he all of a sudden launched into a version of Shakespeare's monologue 'All the world's a stage' or 'The seven ages of man' as it is also known, a concise summary of infancy, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, pantaloon and second childhood. It only lasted a few minutes but right there and then I knew that I had witnessed a masterclass in acting, right before my eyes. The hairs on my neck stand up even as I write this.

Ian looks out the window while answering questions from my reporter. © Magnus Andersson

Nonetheless, before all his interaction with this last class, he had been a quiet observer and I knew I was missing a more intimate shot of him looking into my lens. Towards the end he finally spared us a few minutes on a sofa, and he didn't mind sitting near the window for better light, while he was answering Lindsey's questions, yet he wouldn't look in my direction and I could sense he was getting eager to leave.

Ian McKellen at first protests but eventually I get my three frames, of which this is the last one. © Magnus Andersson

When she was done interviewing he got up to leave and I quickly asked if I could have some frames with him looking directly into the lens? 'I didn't come her to be photographed' was his abrupt answer and I thought 'shit, there goes my last chance'...but then he winked and smiled and gave me three frames! The one you see above is the third and final frame. He had given me approximately three seconds, but it was enough. Thanks for being a good sport, Ian.

Sally McKay

Sketch of me while I was busy taking portraits of the artist. © Sally McKay

Isn't it funny how things turn out sometimes? Bored stiff at work, I have taken exactly zero pictures that are worthy of going on the blog. Planning ahead on personal projects becomes a salvation from the dross that I turn out every day at work. The reduction of staff in the newsroom has inevitably taken its toll on interesting jobs. Most days I mainly shoot school children or boring PR jobs for either the local council or a local company. No room for manoeuvre. Hence I'm pleased to announce that the above picture was neither taken by me nor made for PR purposes.


Artist Sally McKay. © Magnus Andersson

It is a picture drawn by artist Sally McKay as I was photographing her and it all came about when she confessed that she hated having her picture taken. As photographers we are acutely aware of this disposition - I for one am not very keen on being photographed. Anyway, the portraits were done in her studio in Charlton and she had a nice set of sketches on the wall that would make a nice backdrop so we got down to work, but Sally was very nervous and in a bid to stave off her self consciousness I suggested that she do what she does best - draw. And so she drew a sketch of me while I was moving around doing my job. Voila! Job done.


Artist Sally McKay. © Magnus Andersson

Later, after having seen the published article, Sally emailed me and said that I had snapped her looking relaxed and smiling - a feat that no photographer had managed before - and asked if she could use one of the images that I took for her website. I said of course, BUT only if I could have a copy of the fabulous sketch she created during our session. The rest is history.

But if you think that us creative types come for free, just have a look at this outrageous attempt of trying to to get professional pictures for nothing. The answer they get is truly what they the deserve (also the best cut'n'paste job I have ever seen)!

Like all photographers, I'm pretty sure that Sally and her fellow artists get the same ludicrous propositions, trying to get us to work for free.

You can read Sally's new blog here.

Pussy Galore!

© Magnus Andersson

Remember that I went for an eye test a little while ago? Well today I photographed the actor Honor Blackman - aka Pussy Galore in Goldfinger - for the charity Action for Blind People. She also had an eye test.

The pictures are meant to be used in mini media campaign a bit later, but I couldn't resist giving you this picture. She has been around since 1925, but she looks a damn sight (sorry) better than I did in those trial glasses.

My brand new glasses

© My optician

I mentioned that I had to go for an eye test a while ago, and I ordered some new glasses. Well, they have now arrived, quite stylish, no?

The same old shit again?

On my way to photograph the woman above I stopped into a bookstore/cafe to pick up a coffee. On one of the displays was the book I've been waiting for since the winners were announced a while ago; World Press Photo '08! Go and get your copy now, pronto.

Legendary snapper Gary Knight, also chairman of the WPP jury, puts in his foreword: "A principal purpose of the World Press Photo contest is to celebrate great achievements in press photography, and it is disappointing that so much of what was submitted was familiar. One wonders why some photojournalists spend their time and energy telling us what we already know, in a style borrowed from another photographer". Harsh words indeed, but they also needs to be told. Photojournalism is considered to be in a bit of a crisis right now, with shrinking budgets and competing new media cited as main factors to this decline. But what he really is saying that as PJ's we need to develop our own vision and go with it, not give in to recreating pictures that have worked in the past, to constantly push the boundaries of visual journalism. Not all assignments can be done in radically different way, but if you don't strive for development you end up with stagnation and risk losing your audience.

Anyway, the woman I was going to photograph is called Gina and had just completed six marathons in six days. She is 63 years old. Over the weekend she is running two more marathons. In total she has now done 278, and is soon of to South Africa to run the Comrades, a nice little 56 mile jog.

Picture: perfect example of a familiar image in a borrowed style! But its not WPP photojournalism, its a portrait of Gina, so hopefully Gary Knight will spare me this time.

Lets have some fun with the photographer

On Friday evening I was doing a late job in a sports field down in Bromley, south east London. We'd been invited by a successful football academy and the kids we're doing their bit on the field. I was shooting the kids and waiting for the main attraction, West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand, brother of Man Utd's Rio Ferdinand, who both are patrons for the academy, hailing as they do from south London.

Only one problem. Anton hadn't arrived. I waited an hour. Photographed the kids match. Then my 80-200 lens stopped focusing. Not good. It was getting very cold. Still no Anton. Premiership footballers are infamous for not showing up, especially on a Friday night with the season over.

After nearly two hours he finally showed up and I went about my business to set up a shot with him and some of the coaches as they were watching the game. Then I fell for the oldest trick in the book...

He asked me which paper I was from and as soon as he had eye contact with me he screamed - WATCH OUT, BALL COMING!!! and I scrambled for my life, covering my head and my camera, bracing myself for the thumping impact of a high velocity football to my head...alas, there was no ball near me, it was miles away. I'd been had. I don't think I've seen a bunch of grown men laugh so much in a long time, they were literally falling about. Safe to say that I looked like a twat, and they really enjoyed it!

Anyway, Anton is a good sport and gave me a photo session a little later, after Sky Sports had finished interviewing him. The result can be seen at the top of this post.

Some days are better than others

At the beginning of last week I kept thinking - and had been for a while - that I hadnt been on any interesting jobs for quite a while. Its all been: show up, arrange the people into a group shot and do the picture or; shoot general views of the police at a murder scene/accident spot or; in/exterior of a restaurant for a review etc, yada yada.

But towards the end of last week it all got better, I photographed Georgina Studd, a cerebral palsy sufferer in a wheelchair, but also one of the brightest sparks in this town. She is now also the youngest ever documentary film maker to be shown on Channel 4, and a complete joy to be around! (wonderful Q&A stuff here and here, and click on the "Watch" button to see her film here)

Then I got booked in to visit the studio of artist Ed Gray. I had the pleasure of spending a long photo session with him at his last exhibition in Camberwell last year, so going to his studio was amazing. He also speaks a tiny bit of Swedish which makes it kind of funny as well, but his Swedish wife probably wants him to learn a bit more. I'll be posting some stuff from his place once I have some audio to go with it.

As it happens on good days, his studio was only minutes from where I live, and it was a Friday, so I could go home and download in the safety of my own home, and without having to dodge the dreaded Friday rush hour.

So that's a good day in a PJ's life, and maybe one day I'll get to the bad bits.

Main picture: Two Brixton rappers; Frantic Frank and Logic aka Cigol, and FF's scary dog. I was glad to survive this shoot in a dodgy alleyway on this SW9 estate. Luckily it was raining hard outside (hence the lens flare top left) so nobody robbed me of my gear, but I did get quite scared when the dog tried to go for my throat. He had two of them in his flat. I said one would be enough for the photo.
btw, Logic's latest album is quite brilliant.

World exclusive

As mentioned in the last post, Elks were in action again last weekend and I was indeed feeling jolly. I took some 300 images on my compact party camera during their show. I had an idea in mind, and it has now been realised. Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby give you a world exclusive - the first video from Elks.

Picture: today I was photographing Zerthun, a model from Deptford who has made it to the UK final of the Miss Universe competition (as run by Donald Trump), and if she wins she will be reppin' for the whole of the UK in the US of A later this year.

Mood change

Yesterday I was working until 22:00 but today is Friday and for no particular reason, it might just be a good weekend. Tonight I will go and check out Elks live at the Dogstar in Brixton. Its free. Do come if you can.

Picture: the very happy Gerhard, founder of delicatessen chain Konditor & Cook, photographed a week ago outside his first shop in Waterloo.

Away from the city with Elks

We left London behind for a relaxing time out in the country, and I couldnt have been any happier. Combining a bit of photography for a friends' band and then some sightseeing; sounded ideal. Best laid plans...

Some map reading problems meant we took a detour of appx. 45 miles (72 km) leaving us off, waaay off schedule. Nevertheless, we found our B&B, a place which I can highly recommend, especially seeing as they have just achieved their 5* rating, and then we set off for the main reason for this impromptu trip: Elks!

Recording music is difficult at the best of times, and entering such an atmosphere trying to photograph it is even worse. Luckily, Guy, who runs the studio is a very agreeable man, and Elks are likewise, so apart from shit light in the studio and a lot of stress within the band of getting things back on track, there wasnt much stress!

In the end I shot some frames on Saturday afternoon/evening, and then we came back on Sunday morning. I think I have enough in the can to save the venture, but next time I would like to have some more time and some more light at my expense, please. It would have been nice to see a bit of Kent as well.

Anyway, picture: A possible cover, but Elks will have final say, so keep checking their label.

I've got a lovely balcony...

Me reading by torchlight in the Vibe Bar

Francesco aka Ciccio aka one of my two flatmates