The pressmen look forward to the new year

I think as Pressmen we can look back at 2006 and celebrate a year of achievements. We have worked well together and continually progressed as a group. The plaudits we have received affirm that.
As pressmen we can look forward to the new year as a challenge to build on this years successes.
So thankyou to all of us who are the inner core and thankyou to all those who have worked with us this year.

trade show photography and training

One of the ways we have used photography in 2006 was to show salespeople examples of good and bad practice at trade shows. Visual e.g.'s of body language that seriously hinders selling. Or examples of good practice and the ways of working which helps foster the creation of sales leads. We took photos at a wide range of shows to illustrate the key points in the training.
In 2007 we intend to develop the creative uses that photography can add to companies who intend to maximise their trade show performance and increase sales.

trade show and exhibition photography

Companies need to reflect on their goals at a trade show. One element that of public relations sometimes get lost because of the focus on sales leads. But the exhibition is also about brand awareness and exposure. Building your position in the marketplace. Photographs can replace a thousand words. The use of images for newsletters during the show,images for the trade papers and local show news. Creating a story of what you are doing and trying to achieve as a way of educating your own workforce. Helping to create the excitement and storylines to build the identity of a company.

xmas work place

Christmas pudding with a splash of brandy

xmas eve sing song

Round the piano on christmas eve for a singalong. My friends phil and susan have an annual singalong with 2 great musicians who I am sure are bookable for your parties.

A merry Christmas to all our friends and customers

To all who look at this site we the pressmen wish you all a merry christmas.

corporate photography

How do companys use photography.
I think many small to medium sized firms fail to make the most of visual imagery as part of their sales toolkit.
The starting point has to be why is the customer buying from you. What is in it for the customer. What will excite them. How are your visuals helping to excite the customer in his buying decision. Are the visuals telling your companies message or story?
Getting the right picture takes thought and creativity.

Missed! Butt eye let it nick slime

Mist! But I'll get it next time.

Waterloo..... .. .. Rocking tonight

Lots of great shots and here is one.

Party and event photography in Holborn

The Pressmen worked as party and event photographers tonight. We were at a very big venue that had rooms with different bands as well as one for karaoke. In one room there was an Abba band. This was fun to photograph as many of the guests had dressed up in Abba costumes. Lots of good photos tonight. fun.

All this fog but cought a sunset last night

wonderful feedback on event photography

The Pressmen in their guise of comic/spoof/fake/digital Paparazzi have been getting great feedback this christmas. people have been impressed both by their performing/people skills and their candid photojournalist photography.
It is pleasing to succeed on both levels. Our ability as event party photographers allied to our people skills really is paying of in terms of capturing the essence of an event photographically.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Wimbledon

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) played in Wimbledon Theatre yesterday, and they requested that the amateur Wimbledon Choral Society (WCS) back them up. The poor theatre crew had to tear down the set of Peter Pan (starring Henry Winkler) during the day and were set to finish re-building it at 2:00 am the following morning for the next performance.

Since I had previously volunteered my services to WCS as a photographer, they again asked me to capture the event, since playing with the RPO is a considerable honour for those who sing. The Wimbedon Theatre is a wonderful old building that was a pleasure to shoot in. The RPO is going to be sponsoring the Wimbledon Theatre this coming year and they would love see you there for one of their performances.

Sunrise this morning

taking shot in cold waiting for the pressmen to dock

As one group of pressmen were photographing an event on a boat on the Thames having a good time in the warm atmosphere of a party. Another member was stuck in the cold waiting for them to dock. Do we detect sour grapes? What has the photo to do with the caption. You've guessed , absolutely nothing at all.

Sights at night on the Thames

Pressmen another great scoop

Associated Press- Who checks them?

The following is part of the principles of AP. Do they live up to these principles? Who will check up on them? And if they are misreporting as some bloggers claim how will this effect political opinions and actions?

"For more than a century and a half, men and women of The Associated Press have had the privilege of bringing truth to the world. They have gone to great lengths, overcome great obstacles – and, too often, made great and horrific sacrifices – to ensure that the news was reported quickly, accurately and honestly. Our efforts have been rewarded with trust: More people in more places get their news from the AP than from any other source.

In the 21st century, that news is transmitted in more ways than ever before – in print, on the air and on the Web, with words, images, graphics, sounds and video. But always and in all media, we insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when we gather and deliver the news.

That means we abhor inaccuracies, carelessness, bias or distortions. It means we will not knowingly introduce false information into material intended for publication or broadcast; nor will we alter photo or image content. Quotations must be accurate, and precise.

It means we always strive to identify all the sources of our information, shielding them with anonymity only when they insist upon it and when they provide vital information – not opinion or speculation; when there is no other way to obtain that information; and when we know the source is knowledgeable and reliable.

It means we don't plagiarize.

It means we avoid behavior or activities that create a conflict of interest and compromise our ability to report the news fairly and accurately, uninfluenced by any person or action.

It means we don't misidentify or misrepresent ourselves to get a story. When we seek an interview, we identify ourselves as AP journalists.

It means we don’t pay newsmakers for interviews, to take their photographs or to film or record them.

It means we must be fair. Whenever we portray someone in a negative light, we must make a real effort to obtain a response from that person. When mistakes are made, they must be corrected – fully, quickly and ungrudgingly.

And ultimately, it means it is the responsibility of every one of us to ensure that these standards are upheld. Any time a question is raised about any aspect of our work, it should be taken seriously.

"I have no thought of saying The Associated Press is perfect. The frailties of human nature attach to it," wrote Melville Stone, the great general manager of the AP. But he went on to say that "the thing it is striving for is a truthful, unbiased report of the world's happenings … ethical in the highest degree."

He wrote those words in 1914. They are true today.

The policies set forth in these pages are central to the AP’s mission; any failure to abide by them is subject to review, and could result in disciplinary action, ranging from admonishment to dismissal, depending on the gravity of the infraction."



There have been serious questions raised about their reporting and the systems of news gathering they use. The big news agencies provide a lot of news coverage worldwide and if they are misreporting it is a major problem.

Take a seat

Bianca Jagger was supporting the Darfur protest

Sightseeing in London Trafalger square and Darfur

More on protest from amnesty and rape in Darfur

Amnesty international no more rape in darfur

The pressmen are digital Paparazzi

In character as Paparazzi we use digital cameras as against film. We give a look to our modern cameras to make them look like old film cameras. In practice we use both Canon and Olympus cameras depending on which photographer is working. Our work depends on both the acting and the photography. We choose digital cameras because of our photographic style, candid/photojournalist. Taking lots of pictures in our quest to catch exactly those moments which show something especially alive about a guest at a party. That special moment that shows something of them.

Santa is in town!

The artists quarter Jaffa

Carl Rogers lessons for photographers?

Carl Rogers in writing on therapy wrote,"These three conditions are the therapist's congruence or genuiness;unconditional positive regard, a complete acceptance; and a sensitively accurate emphatic understanding."
How far does this apply to good portrait or party photographers? If I talked about clowning I know that a good clown must be congruent, be true to his own humanity(What he thinks,feels and says must be consistent). It is that which translates effectively to an audience. In individual relationships this consistency helps create rapport.
People are reading each other all the time both consciously and unconsciously. They see signs of whether you like them or whether you appear uncomfortable etc. Accepting people for who they are is part of the rapport process, as is having a feel for others.
A good people photographer needs these attributes.

Party photography and relationships

Peter Brook on creating theatre wrote,"Then over the years I thought, but we're not making pictures. What are we making? we're making relationships. But we can't make relationships; we can let relationships,because that's what any story, any play of any description, anything human, is about: relationships" Earlier in the same interview he talked of Henri Cartier Bresson's phtography. Being ready to capture an exact moment ........getting a composite relationship.
in social sciences there is discussion of how far one can step away from research with people and how far one must accept that one is part of it. Part of telling a story is describing the relationships. At an event that is what we are doing. The storytelling is not neutral. It can never be this. We will always make decisions as to when we press the button. Who we photograph and how.Our creativity comes into play and our relationship to the people. I believe a shot will be influenced by our feelings on the day and how we feel towards those around us and how we are interacting with them.
We are part of the relationships. We are part of the storytelling.
A good party photographer must be a good communicator and an excellent storyteller.

corporate event photography

Interesting one of our clients tonight was extremely pleased with us and he hasn't yet seen the photographs. And we have some cracking shots. He was pleased because we entertained people by the way we were. It is what I keep talking about. By creating rapport we are helping to create a great atmosphere. And we found as always that with that rapport people are far more receptive to having their photos taken. One example was a couple joining in to try and create a very arty shot,which when they looked at, on the monitor, they immediately wanted to know where they could buy it.

Voodo at the Ministry court by the pressmen!

Party and event photography

Just recently I was at an event and saw an event photographer at work. Full lighting rig. And as guests came in he got them to stand in a pose and took a formal shot. Now I am sure in that style what he did was excellent.
For me it was a shame. The guests were very lively and there were so many wonderful opportunities to get very human candid shots.
A picture that shows a slice of their live from one moment in time at that party. A picture that would jog their memory of the fun they had on that particular evening. A memory to treasure.

LMUG what is it? Photography?

What do the pressmen/digital paparazzi/spoof paparazzi have in common with LMUG. Chas a founding member of the Pressmen is the membership secretary and treasurer of LMUG. LMUG is the London Mac Users Group. it is a forum where members can share information,help each other and generally solve any problems they may have with using their computer. Chas is pretty adept with computers and often helps others. Within the Pressmen he is our technical expert. As a group we find the mac's are good computers for doing photographic work. Personally I find them much easier to use than other options.

I recommend the user group, it is very friendly and a great place to ask questions. they have a regular meeting once a month on the 2nd monday of the month at the Griffin pub near Marylebone. Check out their web site WWW.lmug.org.uk

I forgot to mention they also have an online forum for questions and answers. It can save a lot of time and expense to get suggestions and answers to questions from people who are a great database of knowledge.

James Bond and his friend! just miss the bus

Carol singers in Covent Garden

Darfur the world continues to fiddle

The world continues to look on. They did that with Rwanda. We are talking about the politicians from all the countries that make up the UN. All the countries who make up the most powerful in the world. They are making choices.
The BBC reports the following,
"UN pulls staff from Darfur town

Those in camps near El Fasher will be more isolated
The United Nations has withdrawn its non-essential workers from El Fasher, capital of Sudan's North Darfur state.
The UN said the move is temporary until the risk of fighting between Arab Janjaweed militia and rebels subsides.

The African Union has warned that El Fasher is at risk of being attacked by a coalition of Darfuri rebel groups.

At least 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million driven from their homes since the conflict began in 2003.

"The schools have shut down and all the markets are closed," a resident told Reuters news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity. "People are worried."

Clashes reported

The aid workers were relocated "as a result of increased Janjaweed presence in the town and armed movements in the area", said Radhia Achouri, spokeswoman for the UN mission in Sudan.

Janjaweed militia and rebel fighters clashed in the town's market on Monday, leaving two SLM rebels dead, the Associated Press news agency said.

More than 300 humanitarian workers are based in the town, which is one of two key centres for Darfur's huge aid operation.

Late on Tuesday night a UN plane flew 134 of them out.

Hundreds of thousands of people live in the town or in the camps that surround it, says the BBC's correspondent in Khartoum, Jonah Fisher.

Its airport is the key supply route used by Khartoum to arm and equip government forces, says our correspondent.

An African Union statement said that the town was at risk of being attacked and that its headquarters there was a possible target.

The Sudanese government is still resisting pressure for the UN to take control of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur.

The outgoing UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland, has said that one of his biggest regrets was that more was not done for Darfur in the early stages of the crisis.

"We're saving really the assets that we can at the moment, protecting the life of our own people," he said of the UN pullout from El Fasher.

"But we're not protecting the lives of the vulnerable women and children and there are four times more of them now than when we started in 2004." "

Roulette at the Club

Photojournalism-has it gone to the dark side?

Found at the LGF blog(www.littlegreenfootballs.com) This blog has a particular perpective but the following information is direct from this particular professor. David D. Perlmutter, Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies & Research at the University of Kansas School of Journalism & Mass Communications, has an excellent piece on the Fauxtography Scandal

"(August 18, 2006) — The Israeli-Hezbollah war has left many dead bodies, ruined towns, and wobbling politicians in its wake, but the media historian of the future may also count as one more victim the profession of photojournalism. In twenty years of researching and teaching about the art and trade and doing photo-documentary work, I have never witnessed or heard of such a wave of attacks on the people who take news pictures and on the basic premise that nonfiction news photo- and videography is possible.

I’m not sure, however, if the craft I love is being murdered, committing suicide, or both.

Perhaps it would be more reassuring if the enemy at the gates was a familiar one—politicians, or maybe radio talk show hosts. But the photojournalist standing on the crumbling ramparts of her once proud citadel now sees the vandal army charging for the sack led by “zombietime,” “The Jawa Report,” “Powerline,” “Little Green Footballs,” “confederateyankee,” and many others.

In each case, these bloggers have engaged in the kind of probing, contextual, fact-based (if occasionally speculative) media criticism I have always asked of my students. And the results have been devastating: news photos and video shown to be miscaptioned, radically altered, or staged (and worse, re-staged) for the camera. Surely “green helmet guy,” “double smoke,” “the missiles that were actually flares,” “the wedding mannequin from nowhere,” the “magical burning Koran,” the “little girl who actually fell off a swing” and “keep filming!” will now enter the pantheon of shame of photojournalism.

A few photo-illusions are probably due to the lust for the most sensational or striking-looking image—that is, more aesthetic bias than political prejudice. Also, many photographers know that war victims are money shots and some will break the rules of the profession to cash in. But true as well is that local stringers and visiting anchors alike seem to have succumbed either to lens-enabled Stockholm syndrome or accepted being the uncredited Hezbollah staff photographer so as to be able to file stories and images in militia-controlled areas.

It does not help that certain news organizations have acted like government officials or corporate officers trying to squash a scandal. The visual historian in me revolts when an ABC producer informs me that Reuters “deleted all 920 images” by the stringer who produced the “Beirut double smoke” image and is “less than willing to talk about it.” Can you say “18-minute gap,” anyone?"

Pressmen got a Scoop at the Ministry of Sound

Genocide in Rwanda and the role of France

Andrew Wallis is the author of Silent Accomplice: The Untold Story of France’s Role in the Rwandan Genocide. He has written article on this in Times here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,6-2486864,00.html

What was the role of France? in our society of easy answers blame seems to fall for all evils on only one or two countries. Usually not France. Lots of countries are involved in murky and downright despicable acts. It is only the celebrity countries that face the blame. Strange!

Still we hear little of what is happenning in Sudan.

The joys of Covent Garden in winter

Painting With Light

Picture (1) Using light to enhance the way something looks is an old techique, but still a very satisfying one. For example, the Ministry of Sound dance club is set in a boring industrial building with straight boring walls and utilitarian ceilings in big open spaces. The outside looks like this:
(this was taken a very wide angle lens pointed upwards so the angles converge)


Picture (2) But even with a little lighting and paint, the building begins to take on a more distinctive character.








Picture (3) Once inside, the boring straight hallway becomes a promise of the party to come.






Picture (4) And further inside, what could easily be the inside of a warehouse (though there is some additional construction inside that belies this purpose) the light totally changes the atmosphere.




Picture (5) And some people can look almost unrecognisable.

Is BBC news mediocre?

I was writing earlier about the way photojournalism is losing its way. And many major news outlets. Have a look at the reports on the fiji coup on the BBC news page and then look at the blog on the same issue here, http://headheeb.blogmosis.com/

The second seems far better researched. How is it that a blogger can write a better news story than a major news outlet. Is it time deadlines? Is it a perceived need to shape and give a neat opinion in a very specific number of words.

It worries me. I now don't trust any report from the BBC. I always check other sources. So often it seems the news is skewed or too many bits of information have been left out.

Turner prize controversial?

CNN reports,"LONDON, England (Reuters) -- German-born artist Tomma Abts on Monday became the first woman painter to land the Turner Prize in the 22-year history of one of the art world's most controversial awards.

The abstract painter, who has lived in London for the past 12 years, received the 25,000 pound ($49,500) award from Yoko Ono and said afterwards in a subdued acceptance speech: "Thank you so so much. It is a real honor to receive this prize."

Critics lauded the Kiel-born artist with art writer Meredith Etherington-Smith telling Reuters: "They are very subtle -- it is like looking at a drawing by an Old Master. They put me in mind of a 16th century miniaturist."

Mark Rappolt, editor of ArtReview, agreed: "They are very small works with a lot going on in them. They are open to many different approaches."

But there were dissenting voices too.

Charles Thomson, who heads the Stuckist Movement that stages demonstrations every year against the Turner, said of Abts "Her work deserves a prize for vacuous drabness. It looks like doodles done by a lobotomized computer." Sculptor Rebecca Warren had been hot favorite to land the prize with her collection of neon-lit boxes full of fluff and twigs.

But much of the pre-prize publicity centered on Phil Collins who set up an exhibit featuring a real-life office full of researchers wanting to interview people forever scarred by their appearances on Reality TV shows."

The comments by charles thomson did make me smile. I have not seen the exhibition so I can't comment on the work. I did read an article about the reality TV exhibit. I don't know how good this piece is but I liked the idea of questioning this ongoing phenomena and with it the celebrity culture that appears to be everywhere in the media and in peoples everyday conversations. Celebrity,identity and whether you are somebody are part of the way the media works. It moves faster thav ever and there are great political changes happenning as well. In terms of photography we see the pressures photojournalists are under with deadlines and the need for sensational and dramatic photos. we have seen how this can translate into a lack of professional conduct. This has yet to be addressed by the major media outlets except superficially.
Art has at times been at the forefront of questioning society. It does not feel as if that is happenning these days. Too many artists happy to be famous and pick up loads of dosh. So is the Turner prize controversial. I think not.

working at the Ministry of Sound

last night we were booked to work at the Ministry of Sound. I hadn't been there before so I was suprised at how dull the outside was. Once guests started to arrive we were into the swing of things and it all worked well. it was a younger audience than most corporate bashes and we changed the tone of our approach to fit in. it was not how one would think of corporate event photography. Earlier I said the building was dull but inside with their choice of music plus the overall layout it created an amazing atmosphere and the whole place was rocking. it was impressive. It was not what I usually call party photography. The people were really enjoying themselves. I am sure after we left it was even wilder. I love seeing so many different people and places.

Susan August Brown on The history of Tango

Argentine Tango: A Brief History

by Susan August Brown
"The exact origins of tango—both the dance and the word itself—are lost in myth and an unrecorded history. The generally accepted theory is that in the mid-1800s, African slaves were brought to Argentina and began to influence the local culture. The word "tango" may be straightforwardly African in origin, meaning "closed place" or "reserved ground." Or it may derive from Portuguese (and from the Latin verb tanguere, to touch) and was picked up by Africans on the slave ships. Whatever its origin, the word "tango" acquired the standard meaning of the place where African slaves and free blacks gathered to dance.

Argentina was undergoing a massive immigration during the later part of the 1800s and early 1900s. In 1869, Buenos Aires had a population of 180,000. By 1914, its population was 1.5 million. The intermixing of African, Spanish, Italian, British, Polish, Russian and native-born Argentines resulted in a melting pot of cultures, and each borrowed dance and music from one another. Traditional polkas, waltzes and mazurkas were mixed with the popular habanera from Cuba and the candombe rhythms from Africa.

Most immigrants were single men hoping to earn their fortunes in this newly expanding country. They were typically poor and desperate, hoping to make enough money to return to Europe or bring their families to Argentina. The evolution of tango reflects their profound sense of loss and longing for the people and places they left behind.

Most likely the tango was born in African-Argentine dance venues attended by compadritos, young men, mostly native born and poor, who liked to dress in slouch hats, loosely tied neckerchiefs and high-heeled boots with knives tucked casually into their belts. The compadritos took the tango back to the Corrales Viejos—the slaughterhouse district of Buenos Aires—and introduced it in various low-life establishments where dancing took place: bars, dance halls and brothels. It was here that the African rhythms met the Argentine milonga music (a fast-paced polka) and soon new steps were invented and took hold.'

I love this version of the Argentinian Tango. Especially as many of the songs are about a deep sense of loss. These origins for me give a feel of raw earthiness and emotion. That is for me the heart of Tango. I like to see people dancing with feeling and not some dancing by numbers technique.

Perry Benson Comic singer songwriter

I went to see Perry and friends at Leonards pub in clerkenwell. Perry has been a comic actor for years having appeared in shows like, you rand m'lord,the real mcCoy,operation good guys and loads more.
Now he has turned his hand to singing and writing comic songs. Perry and friends put on a really good evening so check it out when they are next on.

The Emergence of us

Tim has just written a book 'The emergence of us' Published by iuniverse. The book is about human emergent behaviour. And I will leave him to explain that in a later post or just buy the book.

Tango in Jacksons Lane

Part of an improvised Tango show at Xmas gala.

Argentinian tango class at Urdang Covent Garden

The class I teach again. Argentinian Tango is starting to grow in London. Especially now that some venues have begun to play more modern Tango. There were venues stuck in a time warp only playing music from the 1940's and 1950's. This was to miss out on the wonderfully emotional tango's of Astor Piazzolla. And now lots of new modern tango's from groups like Gotan project. There was an attitude that "we do only real tango" A very limited definition of what is real. The Freudians and post freudians would have a field day with that, especially the lacanians.
i do dislike some of the very limiting attitudes. there are patterns you need to know with Tango to communicate on the dancefloor. After that just enjoy yourself.

Top Party Photographer

What is someone who is a top party photographer? It suggests they have reached the highest ranks of photographers who record events. Who is to judge? and by what criteria?
For me it involves capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the event. it is not a technical exercise. Yes it is important to get the technical aspects right. But as I have written time and time again when defining the work of the 'Pressmen' it is essential to get real moments,real sparks of life,real emotion,the natural expressions of guests at the party. it requires a mixture of shots that are candid and ones that have been created yet are still natural. it is photojournalism. It is creating a story.

Straightjacketed maniac loose in Covent garden

I used to work in Covent Garden with Mike. Glad I am not there anymore,too cold. Things have not changed on the west piazza. Still performers gathering crowds to make them laugh and entertain them throughout the day. Some have been there years. In many ways it is where I learned to hone my performing skills. how to interact with an audience and to judge the atmosphere minute by minute. Changing the rythm of the show where necessary. Finding a character that worked and which audiences enjoyed watching.

more thoughts on comic paparazzi

We created the idea of Pressmen. To be seen as a member of the press like a photojournalist but also to have a character in the theatrical sense. Our character has developed from the image of 1940-1950's photojournalists. We have used the idea of fake Paparazzi or comic Paparazzi or spoof paparazzi. These are useful descriptions as people find these phrases easy to understand. The trouble with them is the focus on just the Paparazzi idea to the exclusion of photography. Digital Paparazzi is maybe a more useful term but it still tends to have an emphasis on the word paparazzi.
we want to encompass both the storytelling emphasis of photojournalism and the use of communication skills from theatre and performance.
corporate event photography, party photography,Office party photography,wedding photography are the perfect functions for what we do as the pressmen. This linking of the skills of photojournalism and theatrical communication skills enable us to capture the spirit and character of an event. people enjoy our performance as pressmen during the event and are truly impressed by the way we have captured the spirit of the guests in the photographs. have a look at Pressmen.co.uk to see our look and a selection of some of our photos.

Performance and space

Jacques Lecoq from his book 'The moving body' " Any living space has 'dramatic possibilities' and influences the behaviour of the people who enter it or the characters who perform in it. A change of place modifies all our attitudes and behavour, down to the pace at which we walk. We walk around differently on a visit to a gothic church from the way we walk around a romanesque church." For the Pressmen it is important to have a sense of this idea not only for our own behaviour but in order to get a feel for the way the guests move in any space. It is useful to think of different spaces as part of the theatre of an event. It gives clues to the behaviour of guests and the ways we can interact to maximise rapport. Different spaces effect the way we can behave some are more e.g. reverential.

Picture says it all