A Monkey's Revenge - My Blog
A chilly adventure...
As I crossed the Severn Bridge into Wales, the crisp early March air hinted at the cold and flu season still in full swing. My destination: Cardiff University, where groundbreaking research on these common ailments was in progress. Upon arrival at the School of Medicine, I was greeted by a bustling scene of students participating in the university's cold and flu research project. The atmosphere was a mix of scientific curiosity and sniffles.
Inside the lab was a large cutaway model of the inside of a human nose, complete with detailed nasal passages and sinuses. It illustrated the intricate battleground where viruses and our immune system clash. As I photographed Professor Ron Eccles with the model, a steady stream of volunteers arrived, each sporting the telltale signs of a cold – red noses, watery eyes, and the occasional cough.
Trying not to get too close to the suffering students something caught my eye – a detailed model of a rhinovirus, one of the primary culprits behind the common cold. Its strange shape and protruding proteins gave it an almost otherworldly appearance. Inspiration struck, and I couldn't resist the urge to get creative. I decided to photo-montage the rhinovirus model in the foreground of my shot, with medical student Jed Emsen looking at it as he blew his nose. With a bit of lighting and a low perspective, I managed to capture an image that looked like a scene from Star Wars – the Death Star of the microscopic world looming over one of its victims.
I packed up all my gear and bid farewell to the dedicated researchers and brave volunteers, I couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and trepidation. The work being done at Cardiff University was truly impressive, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments and new flu vaccines. However I found myself hoping that my close encounter with so many cold viruses wouldn't leave me with a souvenir I didn't want. Thankfully, whether due to luck or a robust immune system, I made it through the next week cold-free.
#johnrobertsonphotography #editorialphotographer #commercialphotographer #cardiffuniversity
PR minefield
Today's photo from my archives- Actress Angelina Jolie for an article about de-mining in Cambodia. Jolie was absolutely charming and genuinely passionate about the cause. When I could get close enough, her warmth and dedication to the issue shone through in every frame. It's clear that her commitment to humanitarian work, especially in Cambodia, runs deep.
However, I have to say, the PR team's approach was less than ideal. Their micro-management and obstructive tactics made it challenging to capture those authentic moments that truly tell the story. It's a shame, as Jolie herself was so open and engaging when given the chance.This experience reinforced for me how crucial it is for PR teams to work collaboratively with photographers. The best PR professionals,( and I've worked with many), understand that by facilitating access and fostering a positive environment, we can create powerful images that not only showcase their client but also amplify the important message – in this case, the critical work of demining in Cambodia.
Despite the hurdles, I'm proud of the photos I managed to capture. They highlight both Jolie's star power and her genuine commitment to this vital cause which raises awareness about the ongoing demining efforts.
#demining #cambodia #johnrobertsonphotography
Wide eyed....
I've written before about being taught photography as a youth by the famous, (at the time), photographer John Robert Young. Back in the seventies he could be seen regularly on Leica adverts hanging out from hovering helicopters or skiing in the French Alps with the 2e régiment étranger de parachutistes of the Foreign Legion.
One of the things he taught me was to get in close and personal which has stuck with me ever since. Not always what picture editors want of course, so I've had to consciously roll back on that ever since and shoot some wider images as well. That is especially relevant these days with the quality of modern digital cameras meaning crops do not lead to awful quality any more.
Here is a shot from a story about a Spitfire taken by me for The Daily Telegraph and also used by Manfrotto. Guess which image the newspaper used? The close in shot by the cockpit! I think that illustrates the point nicely that I always do my best to shoot a good variety of images wherever possible. Page designers hate having their hands tied by lack of choice and that is always at the back of my mind. This shot of the Spitfire flying into the sunset was used by Manfrotto however- so nothing ventured, nothing gained!
#johnrobertsonphotography #editorialphotographer #commercialphotographer
Glass half full?
Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty sort of person? I like to think I'm the former- an eternal optimist. Even on the crappiest of jobs I remain hopeful I will be able to pull something out of the bag and produce a silk purse from a sow's ear! Of course that doesn't always happen but it isn't going to stop me from trying.
If you need a photographer who will always go the extra mile, give me a shout on 07850 931219 or email me on jrphotos@gmail.com
#johnrobertsonphotography #commercialphotographer #editorialphotographer #photography #business
Epic fail!
I've been playing around with Ai, something most photographers and artists, in fact all creative people are worried about.
Here is my first ever Ai generated image and I tapped in "Man on a bicycle, legs splayed out, feet off the pedals with a newly cut Christmas tree in the front basket, cycling up a hilly road in the style of John Robertson" to create it. I'm not sure Ai knows who JR is though although Salvador Dali etc. are listed!
EPIC FAIL !