london Mar 2005

LTB Holding Ltd, the investment holding company of Louise T. Blouin MacBain and one of the world’s largest art magazine publishers and art information providers, is relaunching Spoon Magazine this March. Spoon is one of the leading international fashion, photography and culture magazines for readers interested in fashion, the arts, music, film, architecture, design and photography. The magazine is published bi-monthly with a circulation of 20,000.

The revamped March issue includes a stunning cover, a specially commissioned portrait of the singer Bjork, and over 130 colour pages. Features include Phil Patton on the Fine Art of the Classic Car, a look at how Ralph Lauren's classic cars collection create a link between industrial design and Haute Couture. Work by Yinka Shonibare, whose art fuses post-colonial Africa with the Rococco, is reviewed by Pernilla Holmes and Sante D'Orazio writes on Pam Anderson: American Icon.

The Spoon Gallery features the art works that top designers surround themselves with from Dolce & Gabbanna to Antonio Marras. A calendar will detail all upcoming fashion weeks, events and parties and the Spoon directory will list details for choice boutiques around the world.

Not everybody knows this, but London has its own CIA... But this is not some American spying organisation; it's The Central Illustration Agency, representing some of the world's best illustrators.

Some of CIA artists' recent successes include: the Piriteze campaign by Fine and Dandy for Grey London; the FIFA 2005 computer game press and poster campaign by Kai and Sunny for See of London; the Evening Standard campaign for Banc ad agency; the Marmite bus side and poster campaign by Mark Thomas for DDB.

CIA says they take a lateral, innovative approach to spreading the word about the artists they represent, and avoid run-of-the-mill promotional activities. Interestingly, all staff at the CIA are artists themselves which they say helps with both clients and the artists.

Lorentz Gullachsen is best known as "the man who shot the flower man" thanks to his highly popular photograph of a man in Venice with a huge bunch of red flowers. The photo has been used many times by art directors and designers around the world.

Having been at the top of his profession for over 15 years, Lorentz is often described as "a safe pair of hands" by his clients, who have included Nicorette, Gallo Wines, and the Swedish, Spanish, Tunisian and English Tourist Boards.

But safe does not mean unexciting. Lorentz particularly enjoys mixing the latest techniques and technologies with more traditional photography. This alchemistic approach makes for interesting and striking work, some of which has an intriguing 'is-that-real-or-not' feel to it. Lorentz's main artistic influence, the painter Turner, also shows in his photography: sweeping, dramatic skies are a regular feature in his work.

Lorent's love of landscape and passion for cars has brought him commissions from virtually all the global car manufacturers - Skoda to Rolls Royce - as well as extensive travel around the world.

Wyatt Clarke represent seven leading advertising photographers encompassing still life, landscape, beauty, people and reportage.

The work featured here by three of their artists includes Chris Frazer Smith's work for Peroni commissioned by Burkitt DDB. Nadege Meriau's work for TBWA on the PS2 campaign and finally Andy Glass' work for Land Rover commissioned by RKCR Y&R.

The website for photographers' agency Horton Stephens is well worth a visit even if you're not looking for a photographer. Just re-launched, it keeps the original spy theme, but is now more fun and entertaining.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek style of web site, this is an agency that's serious about business: their list of clients is very impressive, and reads like a "Who's Who" of advertising and big business.

They have recently taken on artist Julian Wolkenstein, a Gold Award winner for the last two years at the Cannes International Advertising Festival. They are also now representing an exciting CGI/3D company called "Um..." who recently did posters for Virgin (via Rainey Kelly).

We recommend that you click below and visit the web site yourself.

 

Everybody has their "thing" and photographer Tony Latham's is sheds! Apparently it all started when he was child and he created a whole world in his father's shed at the bottom of the garden. Currently, this fascination with rectangular huts is taking him to places like Dungeness and Orford Ness.

Tony's work is very distinctive, high quality, and has touches of the kitsch and unusual - all of this makes it very appealing to brand managers and advertisers that want something a bit different. His current projects include a series of brochures for HSBC.

His next exhibition will be during Photo Month in October/November 2005 - watch this shed!

Howard Kingsnorth has been producing advertising photography since the mid 80s, initially as still life, then venturing outside. He has since covered the globe, shooting cars, people and products. Now he works 85% digital, with his own central London studio and post production facilities. 

Recent jobs include: 'Leap' for Standard Chartered Bank of Asia. Appearing on super sites across Asia, the Middle East, Hong Kong, vast building 'drapes' and downtown motorway sections. A set of sporting themes, featuring 'real' athletes, jumping, running, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, rugby, archery and swimming were all covered. Commissioned by Enterprise IG London and Art Directed by Frederic Boucher

He has also shot three different concepts for a Telewest Broadband campaign, resulting in 48-sheet and 6-sheet posters in London and the South East. Commissioned by Rapier, and art directed by Rachel Robinson.

Based between Barcelona and London, Allan Jenkins' photography is beautiful, evocative and very specialised. It combines a contemporary approach with early 19th century printing techniques, such as the Cyanotype and other alternative methods.
 
He works mainly in B&W, shooting on very large plate cameras 10x8 in and larger, printed on watercolour paper. His prints are collected as art work - sold in Ralph Lauren, Bond St. and at Hackelbury Fine Art Gallery (Hackelbury also represent him).
 
His subject matter is divided between travel- and studio-based portraiture - with a specialisation in Nude and Still Life. His main body of work - figurative and portraiture - has been featured in Elle magazine, Conde Nast Traveler magazine and Eve, and is used for book covers, including the entire works of Shakespeare published by the BBC.

Spencer Rowell has been busy multi-tasking:

- He has re-launched his new website to show advertising work, limited edition silk screen prints and film work. And his new portfolio has been designed by Boyd Necker for Zincwhite.

- He was recently Director of Photography on a short film by Patrick Jackson.

- He worked on the recent Ford campaign for Ogilvy, art directed by Paul Burch, and has just returned from Barcelona having shot the 'Celebration campaign' 40 years of Transit.

A quick look at the navigation bar of Romilly Lockyer's web site and you get the idea of where this photographer is coming from: Celebrate, Time Off, Togetherness, Spontaneity - it's all very positive and packed with optimism. "Life is there for the living and I always try to draw out as much fun and enthusiasm as I can from the models". says Romilly, "What I aim for is for the people looking at my photos to think 'I wish I was there'".

As his clients EasyJet, IBM, Barclaycard, DHL and Alpha Romeo already know, Romilly Lockyer knows how to convey a positive, uplifting, successful image.

Children and family lifestyle photographer, Daniel Pangbourne, has seen his work on over 500 magazine front covers.

Lately, he's been working on children's and family lifestyle catalogues, as well as advertising work for Johnson & Johnson and packaging for Kimberly Clark. His branding work for global businesses like Huggies and Startrite involves creating a complete style and look for the client.
 
Regularly on assignments in Europe, South Africa, the US and Argentina, Daniel says "one of the great things about working with kids - no matter what country you're in  - is the complete lack of pretension. It's a fun way to spend your day!".

Andy Seymour is well established working in the fields of food, still life, studio and location.

He works with many of the top agencies and design groups in the UK and Europe, working on many blue chip accounts and global brands such as Liptons tea, Coca Cola, Nescafe. Knorr, Burger King, Hellmans and  United Distillers.

He has also done still life work for The Royal Mail and the BBC (BBC2 logos). 

Ten years of still life helped Nick perfect his lighting and composition techniques which are now put to full use on larger production on location with people in Dubai, Spain, USA.

Recent campaigns include work for Partners Andrews Aldridge, Lowe London, DDB London.

Nick has an on going personal project, the first shoot of which was based on "The Afro". Casting, styling and location were all very important in achieving the humour they were looking for.

If you're feeling hungry or thirsty, looking at Paul Webster's website will make you feel worse! Paul and his colleagues specialise in food and drink photography with clients including the UK's main supermarket chains Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury, Safeway and Waitrose.

They also do the on-van photography for Waitrose's home delivery service, Ocado and for online chef's portal, chefgo.com. They have a good daylight studio as well as a digital-equipped studio for hire. 

Right next door is China & Company, the "best food and drinks props company in London", with enough props to fill 3500 square feet. China & Company can be contacted via Paul Webster.

Julia Fullerton-Batten's work as a people and urbanscapes photographer helped her to be part of the 2004 Schweppes Awards and the American Photography Awards. But winning awards is not something new for Julia, as she has been an AOP Awards winner every year for the last 8 years, including a series this year.

Her commercial capabilities attract big brand clients like American Express, Electrolux, Visa and Vodafone, and she maintains her creative edge through projects such as the Fine Art Photography study of female teenagers that she is working on, currently exhibited with Eric Franck in Europe. Julia is represented in London, Paris, Germany and has recently changed to a new agent in the US: New York-based Monaco Reps.

Photographer Daniel Allan specialises in still life, location, and portraits.

Composition is a particularly strong feature in his work and his photos seem to draw you in. One of his recent images is the Lamborghini Gallardo which he took at 5pm on a Sunday evening in London. Unsurprisingly, it took him hours to find an empty car park.

Recent advertising clients include Money clothing, NATS, Abbey,
LTSB, HSBC, Renault and Epson.

Based in Clapham, Karma Studios is considered to be one of the best spaces in London. Described as "half way between a studio and a location", the 2500 square feet of uninterrupted ground floor space offers a variety of textures for both stills and movie work.

Features of the space include large access doors for props and furniture, beautiful flooring, full skylights for natural daylight, blackout is also available. This, and the flexibility of the space, attracts clients that include MTV, Oil of Olay and Cosmopolitan. Catering and other services are also available.

360º tour can be seen at the web site.

Faction studio is a new photographic studio based in East London.

The studio is open plan loft style and is set up to be flexible to the clients requirements.

They have great daylight with fantastic city views. They offer a range of coloramas to choose from and are located close to many processing labs, photographic rental equipment. A complete digital set-up with operator is available.

Aluminium Case Company has many years experience designing and hand-building bespoke presentational and protective cases for customers working in the creative industries.

Using a combination of high quality materials and traditional metalwork techniques, they manufacture to individual order with custom options including sizes, finishes, handles, locks, colours and logo engraving.

Recent additions to the range include the Digital Case, aimed at photographers. This case carries all digital gear - including camera, lenses, accessories and laptop computer.

Over the past 10 years Direct Lighting has become London's leading photographic, film and television production rental company offering a wide range of photographic lighting, camera equipment and consumables to its clients.

Apart from lights, they also provide bodies, lenses and accessories for both conventional and digital stills cameras and can supply a full range of consumables including film, lighting gels, filters, Colorama, tapes and paint.

Direct Lighting say that their aim is "to simplify your life by offering as many products and resources as possible from one order point". Service is a key part of their offering and all staff are fully trained to achieve that.

Dr. Rudolf Lammers, one of Germany’s international renowned animal cinematographers, has recently signed a contract with stock footage agency framepool for the distribution of his archive from over 20 years shooting in Africa. "In my opinion, framepool offers the best technical and personal requirements to distribute my rushes worldwide,“ says the film-maker.

His archive covers films mostly shot in Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania. High-speed takes of fighting animals are included and also scenes filmed with four cameras from different perspectives. One of his films was nominated at the WildScreen Festival in Bristol/UK in October 2004.

"Overnight sensation" London Telegraph Magazine.
Production Rates from £180.
 
Framing sweeping views of central London, St Martins Lane's 204 rooms, suites and lofts have floor-to-ceiling windows and an eclectic mix of Philippe Starck designed furniture. A unique interactive light installation, allows guests to "light their mood" from a full spectrum of colours controlled from a dial next to the head board. Special Garden Rooms have private patios planted with camellia trees, clematis and climbing ivy.
 
St Martins Lane offers both a luxury Penthouse and Apartment suite that are spacious and sumptuously appointed, featuring open loft-like layouts, custom Starck-designed furniture, separate pantries, large plasma screen televisions, and great views of London.

"Another stage set for the world's high-profile travellers" Vanity Fair.
Production Rares from £195.
 
In the world of hotel guest rooms, Sanderson's are truly unique and groundbreaking. Designed without interior walls, the bathroom and dressing room are instead encased in a glowing floor-to-ceiling glass box that is wrapped in layers of sheer curtains.

Romantic, sensual and dreamlike, the 150 guestrooms, some with private gardens, feature silver-leafed sleigh beds, a rug inspired by Voltaire's handwriting and oil paintings of soothing landscape scene that are hung, unexpectedly, on the ceiling.

The Great Eastern Hotel opened in 2000. It was designed by architects The Manser Practice, with interior and graphic design by Conran & Partners. The Grade II listed Hotel has 267 bedrooms with four restaurants, four bars and a gym.

Though huge, this is an individual hotel where no two bedrooms are the same, reflecting the diversity of its heritage and structure. Situated in the City of London, it is surrounded by some of the most influential cultural and historical references to British life. Here one of Europe's densest populations of artists is juxtaposed to the largest financial institutions.

The Great Eastern Hotel is a unique combination of hotel and restaurants, an extraordinary building with magnificent architecture coupled with a striking modern interpretation.

Situated in London's Mayfair, the Metropolitan Apartments offer the same sleek style and attentive service that originated from their hotel namesake the Metropolitan London, home to cool lounge the Met Bar and top Japanese restaurant Nobu.
 
The apartments are adjacent to the hotel and include a newly refurbished townhouse offering 7 two-bedroom apartments in stylish seclusion. There is also a stunning 3 bedroom penthouse apartment, with 2 receptions, fully equipped office and private lift.
 
Exploiting an abundance of natural light, the apartments provide 24 hour room service, housekeeping, and security. Perfect for business travellers, the apartments also have broadband lines, direct telephone and fax, ETV and CD player as standard.