P O R T F O L I O
D I Z Z Y G I L L E S P I E
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, 1990
Handmade Silver Gelatin Print | Artist's Edition of 20
T H E A R T I S T' S E D I T I O N
S
I L V E R G
E L A T I N P
R I N T S
H A N D M A D E
by
THE NEGATIVES
The photographs were taken using largely Leica M series and Hasselblad cameras.
Film stock was Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5.
The negatives printed in Leitz and De Vere enlargers.
THE PAPER
The paper used is gloss Ilford Warmtone Fibre Based Paper.
I selected it because I love the luxuriously rich prints it renders - warm deepest blacks and wonderful creamy whites and all the shades that lay beween.
It might seem a little strange to enthuse about such an apparently mundane item as paper,:
but the silver gelatin print is the ultimate outcome for my work on film and this paper type is the trusty messenger that bears it.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
Silver gelatin photographs are hand made in the darkroom from the original negative applying a craft process which dates back to the 1880s.
This process is carried out on the fly and requires quicksilver creative judgement and technical skills which are extremely rare in today's digital world.
Each silver gelatin print is in itself a unique piece displaying subtle variations..
The depth of tone and richness of a silver gelatin print have a presence I find captivating.
K PROJECT:
After being archivally washed the photograph is allowed to air dry naturally.
A traditional hand press embossing stamp is used, the photograph is signed and numbered from an edition of 20.
Please note - photographs are unmountedlCK PROJECT:
T h e Ar t i s t' s
E d i t i o n
- P r e v i e w
The Picture | The Story
Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter - composer, tenor and soprano saxophone,
Herbie Hancock said of him when both he and Mr Shorter were in Miles Davis' 'Second Great Quintet':
"The master writer to me, in that group, was Wayne Shorter. He still is a master. Wayne was one of the few people who brought music to Miles that didn't get changed."
This photograph was taken at a small club where I was able to get close and fill the frame using a short telephoto lens - 110/2 on a Hasselblad camera.
This lens when used at maximum aperture produces an image with very little depth of field, as you can see.
This property - along with the lighting produces an almost 3 dimensional look to the image.
This look is further enhanced when the negative is made into a silver gelatin print - no screen can reproduce the richness and depth of coal black and shimmering silvers that this type of print exhibits.
Herbie Hancock said of him when both he and Mr Shorter were in Miles Davis' 'Second Great Quintet':
"The master writer to me, in that group, was Wayne Shorter. He still is a master. Wayne was one of the few people who brought music to Miles that didn't get changed."
This photograph was taken at a small club where I was able to get close and fill the frame using a short telephoto lens - 110/2 on a Hasselblad camera.
This lens when used at maximum aperture produces an image with very little depth of field, as you can see.
This property - along with the lighting produces an almost 3 dimensional look to the image.
This look is further enhanced when the negative is made into a silver gelatin print - no screen can reproduce the richness and depth of coal black and shimmering silvers that this type of print exhibits.
A R C H I V A L P I G M E N T P R I N T S
Limited Edition Archival Pigment Prints are made on heavyweight paper and are produced with the latest digital technology using wide format printers. Pigment inks are used to ensure archival properties, and an extended tonal range to ensure a consistent true to the original rendition of both colour and monochrome images throughout the edition. The Hahnemühle FineArt paper used is acid- and lignin-free and conforms to ISO 9706 - museum quality for highest age resistance.
P r e v i e w
The Picture | The Story
Miles Davis
I photographed Miles Davis twice. This is from the first shoot and the image is from a scanned colour negative exposed in a Hasselblad camera.
I like it very much in colour but prefer it as a black and white photograph - Miles seems to be hearing the notes before they are made. Such drama.
I believe that like music, a photograph is nothing without emotion.
The Picture | The Story
Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is one of the few musical chameleons who have created music that is innovative and soulful in whichever iteration he chooses to perform.
The first time I photographed Mr Hancock was in 1992 when he was appearing on the Miles Davis Tribute Tour.
The group consisted Miles' protégé Wallace Roney on trumpet and what is often referred to as Miles' 'Second Great Quintet'. One of the greatest ensembles in jazz history - Ron Carter - bass, Wayne Shorter - sax, Tony Williams - drums.
I had spoken with Mr Hancock earlier and had given him a print from the Glasgow concert and one of the stage portrait of Miles.
After the sound check and the band had left the stage I was able to make a series of portraits and was privileged
to be the only person onstage as he ran through a piece solo - as you can see, shooting from the end of the Fazioli Grand - it was very difficult not to be wrapped up in the luxuriant sound of the music as I leaned into the piano to take some of the photographs.
A very memorable shoot - and an amazing concert.
The Picture | The Story
Jamie Cullum
One of the fundamental challenges faced when photographing a concert is as you might suppose - the lighting.
There is no consistency in terms of colour, intensity and placement and of course the photographer has no control over this. This is often frustrating but actually it is just part of the challenge and excitement of creating images of an artist that attempt to capture the spirit and excitement of a great live performance - in close up..
Jamie Cullum is one dynamic performer, I love his energy and showmanship. This shoot was part of a commission for the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester which was to document the many genres of music presented at the world-class venue.
I wish we were all back there now right now.
The Picture | The Story
Liza Minnelli
Cinematic and Musical Royalty
A unique, irrepressible, irresistible force of nature.
There were two other photographers stage right as we waited for Miss Minnelli to appear - as whenever possible I set up on my own, stage left.
After the big show biz build up and first song was coming to it's end I was still shooting and as I am I hear the words from Miss Minnelli as she's looking at me and in front of the full house of around 2,500 people I hear -
"Hey cutie - would you like to move to this side."
She was pointing to the area where the other photographers were working.
It didn't sound like an invitation - more like a request graciously stated, so of course I decided I would like to move sides.
It was a fabulous concert by a giant of the entertainment world - and a story for the book.
L I M I T E D E D I T I O N
P H O T O G R A P H S
HERBIE HANCOCK PORTRAIT 1
BRIDGEWATER HALL, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, 2008
LIMITED EDITION
ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT
£75.00
MULGREW MILLER
MARKET HALL, BRECON, WALES, 2002
LIMITED EDITION
ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT
JACK BRUCE
RONNIE SCOTT'S, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1992
(THE CLUB WAS ON BROAD STREET)
LIMITED EDITION
ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT
£75.00
T H E A R T I S T' S E D I T I O N
S
I L V E R G
E L A T I N P
R I N T S
H A N D M A D E
by
ARTIST'S EDITION
HAND CUT DOUBLE-THICKNESS ARCHIVAL MOUNT
DIZZY GILLESPIE
THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, 1990
Handmade Silver Gelatin Print
Artist's Edition of 20
ELVIN JONES
ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, 1992
Handmade Silver Gelatin Print
Artist's Edition of 20
WALLACE RONEY'S
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, 2004
Handmade Silver Gelatin Print
Artist's Edition of 20
SATIN TRUMPET
BRECON, WALES, 2003
Handmade Silver Gelatin Print
Artist's Edition of 20
T H E P I C T U R E | T H E S T O R Y
TONY BENNETT: GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, JULY 2003
Every picture has a back story to its making which is always an adventure, a search and discovery which leads through to the moment the picture is made.
The people, the circumstances, the travel, the setbacks and successes are all part of the picture.
The people, the circumstances, the travel, the setbacks and successes are all part of the picture.