Steve and I go way way back, playing in bands together in our twenties. In those days he was a drummer but was usually the best singer in the band, nowadays he is a full time singer. Great to see him and shoot a couple of portraits.

Just discovered the fantastic work of Brigitte Lacombe. She’s very much in the mold of the classic portrait photographer. You’ll find lot’s of black and white portraits and images shot on film sets in her portfolio. It’s right where I want to be as a photographer.

Visit her site.

“What does it matter if other people take photographs? What do other people’s photographs have to do with your own photographs?”

Stuart Xander of the band Xander and the Peace Pirates. A popular band on the local circuit who recently supported Bon Jovi.

Interesting fact number one: I taught Stuart guitar for a little while back when I worked at Liverpool Community College, where he claims I introduced him to the blues. Not sure if I want to take responsibility for that or not!

Interesting fact number 2: Many years later I became friends with his brother Keith who is a very fine lead guitar player. Keith is missing his right hand and plays with the aid of a claw. He actually tapes a plectrum onto the end and plays a mean blues guitar.

Lana was a regular around the city centre, and well known on the local folk music scene. Sadly we lost her last year but she’s still loved and missed by many.

Upstairs is the Archive Exhibition, which currently has a collection of Martin Parr’s ‘painted photographs’. The collection of found press and publicity images of stars have been ‘painted’ by magazines and contain notes and crop marks.

What with the new Museum Of Liverpool and the well established Tate it’s becoming a cultural hotspot down at the waterfront. It’s wonderful to see Liverpool getting a purpose built space and I look forward to seeing what the gallery has in store for the future.

Open Eye Gallery
19 Mann Island
Liverpool Waterfront
Liverpool
L3 1BP

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Photo taken at the Midnight Special event at the Bold Street Coffee shop in Liverpool. A specialist, independently run coffee shop serving great food and drinks – well worth a visit if your in the area.

Portrait of dancer Jonathan (Jay) Sephton.

Dancers Jamie & Jay dressed up for a party in the crew bar. Burlesque night I believe ?

People promenading along the seafront in the Portuguese port of Porto or Oporto.