Brining Photography Weblog

Knickers & Vests

This strangely-titled piece concerns Triangle Theatre Company's latest project is descibed as 'an “oral history of the PE kit” and archive memories of the compulsory PE experience particularly of fitness regimes in school since 1948' 

For Knickers & Vests the company assembled a team of actors in-role as “sports instructors” to document memories during or immediately after exercise. Knickers & Vests begins with the premise that sports phobia is linked to a dread of embarrassment and aims to re-member and re-enact sports histories via the tactics of both reluctant and zealous sports participants, of skivers and misfits, and to investigate “discipline” and the body as they are understood in both sport and theatre.

Thus, a motley crew of sports 'instructors' led the parade for the opening ceremony of the British Transplant Games held in various venues around Coventry.

The assembled crowd were initially unsure as to whether the team were for real or not, but doubts were quickly dispelled once the routine got underway, climaxing with the sudden activation of the fountains outside the Herbert Museum. 

More appearances of these top athletes are planned building, hopefully, to an appearance at the opening of the Olympics in 2012!

For more information on the "Knickers & Vests" and other Triangle projects, please visit their website

The City of Coventry Male Voice Choir

On an appallingly wet and windy evening in July (typical British summer then) I met up with the City of Coventry Male Voice Choir at Coventry Cathedral with the intention of shooting some iconic new publicity photos for them.

When the appointed hour arrived, there was no way we could even attempt the proposed shots without looking as though the entire choir had been recently submerged. Options considered were either to abandon the shoot and retire to the pub, attempt to create something meaningful and artistic under the canopy (difficult when the rain was virtually horizontal under there anyway), or wait and see if the minuscule patch of bright sky visible in the distance would float overhead.

In the end option C prevailed and, miraculously, after a day of continuous rain, the clouds parted long enough for us to emerge from our huddle under the umbrella-village and do the shoot as planned.

A few examples are shown below and should you wish to find out more about the choir, please visit their website

The Wild Swans

Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale story of 'The Wild Swans' has been dusted off and given a new airing by Playbox Theatre Company at their Dream Factory base during June and July.

In a far away kingdom, there lives a king with his twelve children: eleven princes and one princess… what follows is a thrilling tale of determination, loyalty, love, witchcraft and rescue.

The spectacular production is directed by Mary King and is well worth a view. For tickets and information, contact Playbox

Post Office Awards

TV personality Sanjeev Bhaskar hosted the 2009 Post Office 'Best of the Best' Awards held at London's prestigious Landmark Hotel which celebrated, as the name suggests, the company's very best people in various areas of the business.

Also appearing were the outrageous '4 Poofs and a Piano' from Jonathan Ross's Friday night show, who entertained the guests after dinner with a medley of well-known songs performed as only they know how! 

After the awards part of the evening was over, Sanjeev graciously stayed and chatted to the guests whilst posing for a seemingly endless number of photos with various groups and individuals. Not many celebrities I've worked with on similar events in the past have done that, so top marks for a top chap.

As I was leaving, the dancing was getting underway on the spectacular dancefloor and LED backdrop supplied, along with the other technical facilities for the event by MCL Birmingham

 Host Sanjeev Bhaskar at the lectern

 4 Poofs and a Piano entertain the guests

 Arty-farty-dancey shot

Warwick Races Ladies Day

What better way to spend a summer's afternoon than going to the races and taking photos of ladies in their finest hats? Well, along with a 7ft Mascot ably operated - if that's the right word - by Owen, who certainly suffered for his art on a warm day (though thankfully the stiff breeze kept the temperatures below the boil-in-the-nag point for him)

Booked by Warwick Racecourse, the brief was to photograph as many people as possible posing with the Mascot, as well as taking some general shots of the races and punters in general.

Another visit is planned for August Bank Holiday when the Mascot will be officially named. For more information, please visit the Warwick Racecourse website

 I could do that!

 The 10 finalists of the Best Hat competition

 One of the horses, with rider