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Tuesday 20th May 2025
I have attened Tom Oldham Workshop at Plymouth Photo Festival: Here is what I have learned!
I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend both a talk and a portraiture workshop led by the legendary photographer Tom Oldham. It all started at Arts University Plymouth Cinema, during Plymouth Photo festival, where Tom gave a talk that truly blew me away. His portrait work is stunning, and yes, that includes Pedro Pascal!!! During the talk, Tom shared a beautiful poem that was written in response to a shoot held in his London studio. It spoke to the deep relationship between photographer and subject, and the way we connect as humans, beyond hierarchy. It reminded me how portraiture is just as much about empathy and mutual respect as it is about technique. The following morning, I attended his portrait workshop. Here is what I learned in bullet points:
1) The background matters. It should say something about the person you’re photographing. If you’re shooting a chef, why not place them in their element (the kitchen?). The setting is part of the story.
2) Be Your Model’s Biggest Fan. Support your subject. Motivate them. Make them feel beautiful, relaxed, and confident. Your energy as a photographer influences the entire shoot. Hype up your model and your team: it leads to stronger, more natural portraits.
3) Lighting: Keep It Simple, but Smart. Build your lighting setup with intention. You don’t need a complex rig. Often, the simplest setups are the most powerful. A softbox can do so much when you experiment with its angles and positioning. Get creative with what you’ve got.
4) Show Your Eye, Show Your Work. Tom emphasised how important it is to let your unique photographic voice shine through on your website. Show plenty of examples. Let people see how you see. And during a shoot, don’t stop. Keep going until you’ve explored every angle, expression, and emotion.
Thank you, Tom, for being not just an incredibly talented photographer, but a generous and kind teacher.
And a side note: I might be tempted to switch from Fujifilm to Sony after this… but no matter what, my beloved Nikon F3 is here to stay.
1) The background matters. It should say something about the person you’re photographing. If you’re shooting a chef, why not place them in their element (the kitchen?). The setting is part of the story.
2) Be Your Model’s Biggest Fan. Support your subject. Motivate them. Make them feel beautiful, relaxed, and confident. Your energy as a photographer influences the entire shoot. Hype up your model and your team: it leads to stronger, more natural portraits.
3) Lighting: Keep It Simple, but Smart. Build your lighting setup with intention. You don’t need a complex rig. Often, the simplest setups are the most powerful. A softbox can do so much when you experiment with its angles and positioning. Get creative with what you’ve got.
4) Show Your Eye, Show Your Work. Tom emphasised how important it is to let your unique photographic voice shine through on your website. Show plenty of examples. Let people see how you see. And during a shoot, don’t stop. Keep going until you’ve explored every angle, expression, and emotion.
Thank you, Tom, for being not just an incredibly talented photographer, but a generous and kind teacher.
And a side note: I might be tempted to switch from Fujifilm to Sony after this… but no matter what, my beloved Nikon F3 is here to stay.
Friday 16th May 2025
Co-Lab Photography Exhibition at Ocean Studios:
The Opening Night at Royal William Yard, Plymouth.
The Opening Night at Royal William Yard, Plymouth.
I do admit, I’ve always enjoyed the opening of a Photography Exhibition. The excitement, the conversations, the chance to see new work. I find it such a thrilling and enriching opportunity!
A year after my group Photography Exhibition, Unwritten, I found myself and some of my fellow photographers from Unwritten back at Ocean Studios, in Royal William Yard, Plymouth. Once again and with no disappointment, the space was filled with fresh perspectives and diverse voices since second-year photography students, lecturers, and MA students from Arts University Plymouth had come together to create something truly special.
The exhibition, running from 16th to 23rd May 2025, is a celebration of creativity and collaboration. It was wonderful to see how the space had evolved, now brimming with new ideas and energy. Returning to Ocean Studios always feels like coming home. It's a place where creativity flows freely, thanks to the dedication of Rob Tarasek, the studio's Events & Performance Lead. Rob's commitment to keeping the space open and welcoming to the public and emerging talents is evident in every corner. Exhibitions and creative workshops are a constant, making it a vibrant hub for artists and art lovers alike. A fantastic creative hub in the South West.
A big congratulations to all the exhibiting artists and the curators who brought this show to life. Your work continues to inspire and remind us of the beauty and power of Photography.
Saturday 3rd May 2025
A Vintage Cinema Experience at Totnes Cinema
I recently had my first trip to Totnes Cinema, and what a lovely surprise it was! This charming, independent cinema feels like stepping back into the 1970s, with its cosy atmosphere and jazzy decor. The sipping cocktails are delicious, and the gelato is the best I've ever had in the South West, trust me, I've tried both to make sure!
A bit of history I learned from their website: The building was constructed around 1880, but It became a cinema only in 1946, hosting Thursday night screenings by a travelling cinema. Back then, there were no stairs, and so the projection box was reached by climbing a vertical metal ladder: a true testament to the dedication of early cinema pioneers.
I went there to watch High Fidelity, a romantic comedy from 2000 starring John Cusack. The film follows Rob Gordon, a record store owner who revisits his past relationships and top-five breakup lists to understand his romantic misadventures. Cusack's performance is both humorous and heartfelt, capturing the complexities of love and self-discovery. The film's witty dialogue and memorable soundtrack make it a standout in the romantic comedy genre.
Watching this film in such a historic and intimate setting made the experience even more special. Totnes Cinema truly offers a cinematic journey that blends the past with the present, creating a unique cultural gem in the South West.
Friday 4th April
The Magic Rubber: Your Secret Weapon for Perfect Exhibition Boards
When you're preparing work for an exhibition, every detail counts, especially the condition of your presentation boards. Even the most beautiful artwork or carefully planned layout can lose impact if it's displayed on scuffed, scratched, or dirty surfaces. That’s where the humble magic rubber comes in. It might seem like an unassuming tool, but it can seriously elevate the finish of your presentation.
And no, this isn’t an ad or some kind of brand collab, I promise! It just really works. I actually have a nostalgic connection to it. Back in primary school in Italy, we used to play with what we called “gomma pane” , literally “bread rubber” or “gum bread.” I’ve always found it funny how the same object can have different names across languages and cultures. The Italian name isn’t (entirely) about our national obsession with bread. It’s instead because of the rubber’s soft, malleable texture, kind of like a piece of dough that you can shape and knead.
Pro Tip: Keep a magic rubber in your exhibition kit, along with a cloth and small spray bottle. A quick polish before setting up or during install can make a huge difference in how professional and cared-for your presentation looks.
And no, this isn’t an ad or some kind of brand collab, I promise! It just really works. I actually have a nostalgic connection to it. Back in primary school in Italy, we used to play with what we called “gomma pane” , literally “bread rubber” or “gum bread.” I’ve always found it funny how the same object can have different names across languages and cultures. The Italian name isn’t (entirely) about our national obsession with bread. It’s instead because of the rubber’s soft, malleable texture, kind of like a piece of dough that you can shape and knead.
Pro Tip: Keep a magic rubber in your exhibition kit, along with a cloth and small spray bottle. A quick polish before setting up or during install can make a huge difference in how professional and cared-for your presentation looks.
28th Febrary-1st March 2025
Behind the Scenes of Each a Fire – A Film Set on Dartmoor
In between the end of February and the beginning of March this year, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of something truly special as I worked as a Behind the Scenes Photographer and Videographer on the local film Each a Fire, directed by Luke Sym.
Set against the stunning, windswept backdrop of Dartmoor, the shoot was nothing short of magical. The raw beauty of the landscape added a moody and cinematic feel that perfectly matched the tone of the film. During what felt were the coldest day of the year (joking), I captured behind-the-scenes moments throughout the production of the film of Each a Fire, and interviewd as many people that were taking part in the film production as possible, trying to fit everybody in the busy schedule. What a journey it has been. Despite the biting cold, the sun was shining during the day of production, and I have discovered hand warmers for the first time, and adapted them to be feet warmers too!
What made the experience even more memorable was the team I had the pleasure of working with. The cast and crew were not only talented but also deeply collaborative and welcoming. There's something powerful about being on a set where creativity flows freely and everyone is committed to bringing a shared vision to life.
I truly loved to witness the human interactions that built this film set together, and keep it steady and strong. And so, it was a priviledge to try to capture it on camera. I found myself to feel particularly passionate about trying to translate through video footage and stills the ongoing friendly and passionate spirit carried by the whole crew.
I'm incredibly grateful to have been a part of Each a Fire and to contribute to its storytelling in my own way. This project has deepened my passion for film and photography, and I’m excited for what lies ahead in this ever-evolving industry. Here’s to more adventures, more stories, and more behind-the-scenes magic.