Pause and reflect: A look back at my favourite images from 2019
When you take lots of photos, the ones that tend to stand out are those that have something a little different about them, those that for some reason or another are out of the ordinary.
While quantity is ubiquitous, quality is elusive, especially when you’re continually raising your own bar. Like many creatives, my focus is habitually on the here and now, rather than the past, so I’m always more excited about the results I’ll see from my next shoot, than the images I’ve already created. Even so, I recognise it’s good to pause and reflect, to look back and take stock.
For me, 2019 was a strange year, one darkened by the need for double cataract surgery which meant my not being able to take or edit pictures for a full six months. Now that my eyesight is fully restored and I have 20:20 vision, I’m looking forward to getting back behind the camera after what was the longest, most frustrating and darkest time.
Photographically, my 2019 could well be summed up by that wonderful quote from Yogi Berra: it was déjà vu, all over again! But whilst I stood in front of much the same things I did the year before, I’d like to think the way I portrayed them has progressed.
The same can be said for this set of retrospectives. Previously, I’ve organised them in various ways, but this time I’ve limited my choice to just 19 images: 19 standouts from 2019.
Speaking of standing out, whatever I’m shooting, I always aim to create images that are inventive, that are a little different from the norm. Whether that’s in the content or the execution, for me, it’s all about being out of the ordinary. I’ve never been content for my images to be restricted to what can be achieved in camera and have continually experimented with different looks and treatments to find my own individual aesthetic.
These then are the stories behind my favourite shots from 2019:
Brighton Tattoo Convention | Brighton
Having covered the tattoo convention for many years, I tend now to focus on interesting faces rather than interesting ink. This year I came across Scott Tungatt being inked and learnt that all his ’girls’ were by the same artist — and a talented one at that. Scott wasn’t keen on posing for a picture so I had to wait until he briefly sat up to get the shot. The tattooist, by the way, was Thomas Pollard.
East Beach | Littlehampton
Living by the coast with the beach on my doorstep, it’s always a challenge to capture interesting seascapes. Empty winter beaches are so much more appealing to me than those filled with bodies. Including one or two however can make for a memorable image.
George Ezra | Brighton Centre
Contrary to what many would have you believe, live music photography is not that difficult. It’s relatively easy to get an OK shot of a musician onstage. What’s much more challenging is getting a special shot that’s different from the norm, that’s not just another live snap. This portrait of George Ezra was one of several I really like, but there was something about this one that just edged it.
The Script | Portsmouth Guildhall
I’ve shot The Script quite a few times and always focused on lead singer Danny O’Donoghue. When they played an intimate gig in Portsmouth, I was hoping to get some portraits of Danny that were different to what I’d taken before. I think this shot captures both his energy and the intensity of his emotion. Some of course will take umbridge at the tightness of the shot — cropping part of his head — but I have no qualms about doing so, I’m all for getting as close as possible. What I also really like about this shot are the vibrant colours and the rim light.
ABC’s Martin Fry | Brighton Dome
When I previously photographed ABC at the same venue some years earlier I didn’t get the shots I was hoping for. Shooting from the side of the room restricts the angles you can get as your position is fixed compared with being in a photo pit. Even though the same restrictions applied for this show, I came away with a handful of portraits of Martin Fry that I was really pleased with. This is one of them.
The Specials | Brighton Dome
Getting unusual portraits at a concert is always something I try to aim for. It’s challenging because musicians often look similar on stage, whether they are playing an instrument or singing into a microphone. This image of The Specials guitarist Lynval Golding appeals to me because it’s so different from the usual live shot.
The Specials | Brighton Dome
A second shot from The Specials Brighton gig, this time of lead singer Terry Hall. Usually I prefer clean backgrounds, but this text filled one worked for me.
Earl’s Garden | Arundel Castle
I’ve been shooting Arundel Castle’s fabulous Tulip Festival for the past four years. The challenge is always to find new ways to capture the displays. This year for me was all about getting close to the flowers in as creative way as possible. I think this shot did just that!
The Tuts | Brighton Dome
My first ever double exposure and one that I think works really well. I have a better shot of Nadia Jared, but this one just pipped it for creativity. I really like how her outline follows the contour of her cheekbone.
The Royal Pavilion | Brighton
As one of Brighton’s most iconic and most photographed buildings, you tend to see many images of it that look much the same. That’s why I like this shot which focuses in on one of the fantasy @palace’s many domes.
Allium Extravaganza | Arundel Castle
This was my first time shooting the Allium Extravaganza. Not having the massed blooms and visual impact of the Tulip Festival, I concentrated on getting interesting shots of single flowers. This one, taken with rocks in the foreground, makes for an interesting composition.
The Dubai Majlis Garden | Chelsea Flower Show
Thomas Hoblyn’s middle-eastern inspired garden was my favourite show garden at this year’s Chelsea and one of just two I was able to go on. Being on a show garden, rather than just photographing it from outside the barriers, means you can get different shots than others are able. This is probably the most interesting composition of a garden full of interesting vistas.
WS Warmenhoven’s Allium Display | Chelsea Flower Show
The specialist Dutch allium grower had the most eye-catching display in the Great Pavilion. Of the many great shots I got, this is perhaps the most iconic.
Natalie Rushdie | Chelsea Flower Show
The Scottish jazz singer, Natalie Rushdie, was performing on one of the show gardens. This portrait was taken seconds after she finished singing.
Allium seed head | Chelsea Flower Show
It’s challenging to get flower shots that really stand out, whilst at the same time have an identifiable look to them. This year I have honed my aesthetic and created a series of floral images with this kind of look. This one was taken in the Great Pavilion on the Plant Heritage display.
Anne-Marie | Brighton Dome
In live music photography, backgrounds often make the shot. Whilst I usually aim for a clean, neutral background that doesn’t distract from the subject, it’s not always possible. What I like about this shot is that at first sight it looks monochrome, yet it’s actually in colour. I also like how the angle of Anne-Marie’s body is in complete contrast to that of the lighting behind her. It makes for an interesting picture.
Air Plant | Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
This was – I think – my first time photographing airplants. And I have to say they are now among my favourites plants to shoot. In particular, I like how artistic they look, as if they had been painted, rather than photographed. It’s not easy standing out in floral photography, but this is just one example of a series of images taken this year that aims to do just that.
Air Plant | Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
I was drawn to Andy’s Air Plants display in the floral marquee as so many of the plants looked like they belonged underwater rather than on land. This white Tillandsia contrasted well with the blue backdrop of the display.
Sam Fender | Brighton Dome
This was my first gig after six months being unable to shoot and I was really pleased to be back in the pit. This portrait of the 2019 Brit’s Critics Choice winner, Sam Fender, was a particular favourite among a handful of great shots from a memorable night.
Note: All these images were shot handheld with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 using only the Zuiko 75mm 1.8 lens and the camera’s built-in digital zoom. No flashes or artificial light were employed.
About the author: Based in Sussex-by-the-Sea, on England’s south coast, Gary is a creative writer and image-maker. He specialises in out of the ordinary portraits of musicians and people with interesting faces, as well as photographing some of the world’s finest flowers and gardens.
