In Conversation with Gareth Pugh

Highlight: A second chance to see the Tudor Exhibition at Buckingham Palace

Lowlight: Very! Almost as bad as conference for Arqiva, but much redder so everyone looked like they had sunburn - luckily the weather has been nice so red faces did not look too out of place.

Fill-in: Having already met Gareth at his studio it was interesting to hear him talk about his work with re-nowned fashion commentator Colin McDowell. I got a chance to look round the exhibition properly which was useful as my son has the life and times of Shakespeare as his homework so I could fill him in on the clothing of the day.

Tech spec: F1.4, ISO 6400 and still I was struggling. Had to wait til Gareth or Colin looked up to get a well lit shot. Used body as a tripod as shown me by Independent Photographer - Laurie Lewis many years ago (basically bracing your arms into the sides of your ribs and with one leg forwards of the other, whilst pressing camera hard into your face. Uncomfortable but it works.

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/event/in-conversation-with-colin-mcdowell-and-gareth-pugh

Arqiva 2013

Highlight: Working with Jack Barron - cool as a cucumber.

Pic: Jack Barron

Pic: Jack Barron

Lowlight: Two photographers and still had to woof down dinner

Fill-in: Normally I do this event on my own which means running between the stage and backstage and  the office to get the celebs arriving, performances, awards presentations and sending it up to the internet straight away. This year, for the 40 year anniversary there were twice as amny celebs, a party and a conference to cover as well, so there was a budget for two photographers - phew. Jack Barron stepped into the breach but even so , we still only had 10 minutes for dinner in our 12 hour shift.

Tech spec: Fast lenses for conference as light was appalling; we had to ask the venue technicians to climb up and sort out the spotlights so the stage actually had some light on it! I used fast lenses,  ISO 800 and shots RAW for the performances and on stage shots; Jack used on camera flash for the red carpet and Bowens Gemini 500s with brollies for the backstage awards.


http://www.commercialradioawards.org/ArqivaAwards2013/Home.html