7:45 I arrived in London flew in from Exeter airport. This was an interesting experience as soon as I got comfortable it was time to land. The travel from London city airport was very confusing, the advice I got from the desk was wrong either that or I staid on the underground for too long. I got off the train at Farringdon and walk about 15-20mims to the hotel I was staying at a Travelodge, the hotel on first look was clean and the staff was helpful. My room was boxy but should be comfortable for the next few nights. I then traveled to Shoreditch to the old Truman Bury this was were the free-range exhibition was happening I put up my work on the wall in a square format. I then went on to explore Shoreditch and London.
Evening of free-range
The evening of the show I was running late on the tube, I aim to get to the show for 5 pm but I gonna to arrive around 6 pm spend too long enjoying lunch overlooking the Thames sat in the sun.
Once I arrived at the show there were hundreds of people waiting outside wanting to get in the exhibition. I was feeling very excited and anxious about the show and who was going to be there, possibilities of British Journal of photography and the other companies looking for the next photographer to break out into the professional world.
The evening went on into the night with an open bar and loads of really exciting new work displayed. 3 floors and many different universities.
Exploring London with Leica Q
I walked around Farringdon the area had a few small shops and cafes around I went and had a coffee outside this really interesting coffee shop when I spot a guy walk by in his tartan pajamas, I quickly finished my coffee and walked after him to photograph him. When I got to a good position to photograph the guy he when into a corner shop, I thought this it I have just missed the unique character so I hovered outside the corner shop until he appeared.
I thought my next place to visit would be the Leica Mayfair store to have a look at new straps. On my travels passed Piccadilly Circus I saw all sorts of interesting cars and people almost too much to take in. I was crossing the road when I saw a 1959 Corvette in pearl white with a young man driving the shadow and the angle of the car wasthe perfect SNAP! I captured this stunning image below.
Leica MayFaire Store!
Once at the Leica store, I had a walk around the store which is small but the work on the walls and the cameras on display are stunning. I picked up nice new oranges roped Leica strap when I approach by one of the staff members which were very kind and helpful. I bought the strap and talked about my practice and the issues I’m currently experiencing with the Leica Q I have condensation in the viewfinder the staff looked at my serial number and noticed the Leica Q was in someone else’s name on the system. I asked how much the service would cost I was expecting to pay through the roof but staff said they would honour the brand and the age of the camera and would sort the issues out for free I was over the moon I ask could I pick it up next when I arrive back in London and then to my amazement the turn around time was quick for my service. People may turn their noses up on the overprice in of the Leica’s but the service from the helpline and the staff at the stores are outstanding.
I had been planning to meet Nick for some time now. Nick is most famous for his night bus project, I was very excited about meeting him. Meeting a true street photographer a hero of mine, I was very nervous about meeting him because a few street photographers and artist can be very cold or distance when meeting fans or photographers alike. Nick was super friendly and real down to earth person to be around, I meet nick by the Gherkin building he was photographing an art installation being put in on the street which was a statue of animals all intertwined this was very exciting for me to be there in London with Nick Turpin talking street photography and the people he has met on his journey as a commercial photographer and street photography. The people that make the statue were from LA and the team helping with all the official art installing like closing the road or organizing the lorry to collect the statue were from France again for myself this was a great networking time and I feel very honored to have been part of this setup.
MY NEXT BLOG WILL BE OUT ON MONDAY I WILL DISCUSSING THE LEICA SERVICE AND THE WEX VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD NIGHT WITH AOP PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE CONFERENCE BEYOND THE LENS 2/7/18
