Hermosa Beach 4th July Iron Man competition (run a mile, paddle a mile, down a six pack of beer). I get a headache just looking at this. From this Brit to the rest of this fine nation, have fun this 4th July.

I see these guys out here in my neighborhood every weekend without fail, just strutting their stuff. So I had to shoot them sooner or later. How can you not? It’s so cool to watch, and always draws an impromptu crowd. It’s like dancing on bikes (wait, is that the makings of a new reality show i hear you say? Good lord I hope not!). Anyway, there’s something just so poetically beautiful and organic about it. One of my favorite things to shoot is people when there in the zone, that’s why i always love shooting athletes, it’s so easy to latch onto that thing that makes a great picture. These shots and this subject matter kind of reminds me of my ‘sign spinners’ project I did a while back. What’s that you ask…. I’ll show soon.

We just shot this cool little piece at the end of the L.A. Marathon this past weekend. It’s not very often you get these kinds of raw shooting conditions here in L.A., so we wanted to be sure to capture the runners experience as much as possible. After two monitor break- downs, multiple zip lock rain covers, repairing gear in a ‘port-a-loo’ and two complete sets of ruined clothes, the torrential pouring rain finally got the better of us. But the conditions certainly made for a very authentic cast of characters. Couldn’t have wished for better conditions really!

Here’s a really nice shoot we did, in this weeks People magazine. A four page story about a family of race- horse trainers, who’s father was nearly killed by falling hay bails, and the family business had to taken over by his teenage son. The son went on to win his first race ever as a trainer, and is now a rising star in the horse racing business. On a personal note, i have to say the family were the nicest, most down to earth people you could find, and were very accommodating for our two day shoot, with a shooting schedule of early mornings and dusk. But the good news is…. i did learn how to rope a cow, cowboy style! Ok, so my cow was a wooden one, but still, it’s a start.

Being fortunate enough to live by the beach, one of my favourite things to do if the schedule allows, is take a walk on the sand late in the afternoon just as the sun is starting to set. And thanks to my trusty iphone, i’m often taking pictures too. Without doubt, it’s an amazing time to shoot, just as day starts to turn into night.

Lompoc, Ca.

There’s something fascinatingly intimate about someone’s backyard. It all started when i began ‘Shed Life’, a personal project that’s still ongoing on Englishmen and their sheds. Stay tuned for more on that subject later. But for now please just sit back and relax in this peaceful moment. I think i fancy a nap.

I was so happy to hear that Graeme McDowell from sunny ‘Norn Irn’ won the US Open this past weekend. It reminded me of a cool shoot I did with him back in 2004 for The Observer Sports Magazine (UK). We spent an afternoon on a Scottsdale, Arizona golf course, just shooting around making pictures, and he was awesome to work with. No publicists, no handlers, just me and him having a laugh. I still can’t play golf though. I guess i never picked up any tips. Anyway, good for you Graeme. I’ve always been keeping an eye on your progress.

‘LosAngopolis’ part 26; an iPhone journey thru the city of angels