Every month I am the “house” photographer for the Mark Kermode live in 3D event at the BFI.
A few days prior to the event I receive a draft script so I can re-set my metadata and plan. Sometimes a guest stands out.
That is not to say the others mean nothing, it just means that sometimes I know that I should be able to make some stand out images.
This month the name “Simon Callow” appeared and I had that feeling.
Over the years he has played so many super expressive characters that have brought real joy to many of us (4 Weddings anyone), so the hope was he would bring some exuberance to the show.
He did not disappoint.
These were all shot on X-H2 (with 200/F2) or X-H2S (with 50-140/F2.8) to JPG then converted to monochrome in DXO Film Pack 8 (own recipe based on the Ilford Delta 400 simulation).
When I have a subject such as Simon in front of me, the camera rarely leaves the eye (except for switching between cameras, to change lenses). The person may have so many stories from over their lifetime that I really want to listen too, but the key is not to loose concentration on the image, the chat is there in your ears, in your head but it really just becomes a rhythm, a beat for the timing of the shutter. Its hard, and I do not always succeed, I sometimes fall into the stories; but only once I know I have enough to sum up the subject ….
Looking at these images now, I can recall the sound and the laughter.
Monday was a good night’s work..
J
Julie Edwards-X 