Selected Portraits 1981- present

Most of these images were commissioned portraits, however some were done for experimentation and fun!

The ‘angels in shrouds‘ backdrop featured in many of these studio portraits is an excerpt from a fresco painted by Italian artist Giotto in 1305, titled ‘Lamentation, (The Mourning of Christ)‘. The backdrop was painted by the talented artist Anita June.

O’Neil is a professional editorial model who kindly offered to model for me. The theme of these photographs were pastiches of theatrical Shakespearean characters such as Claudius, Othello, Oberon, Puck and others. The headwear was hired from the props department at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. The original photographs were shot on transparency film, developed as a colour negative (C41 process), printed as a b/w image, then chemically toned and manipulated to create different effects. Some images were also printed on lithographic paper. The chemical toners used were combinations of copper, iron blue, sepia and diluted bleach. These images have been scanned from the original negative then manipulated in photoshop to replicate the original chemically toned images. Photographed in 1995.

[PT 01] O’Neil. #1 Iron Blue/diluted bleach toner.

[PT 02] O’Neil. #2 Lithographic paper image.

[PT 03] O’Neil. #3 Sepia/Copper toner.

[PT 04] O’Neil. #4 Iron Blue toner/diluted bleach.

[PT 05] O’Neil. #5 Copper toner.

[PT 06] O’Neil. #6 Iron Blue toner.

Ruth Joy (Oram) was the vocalist and lyricist with Sheffield band Krush which had a number of hit records in the late 1980’s. She was the writer and singer of Krush’s ‘House Arrest’ hit single in 1987. She later launched a successful solo career in the early 1990’s. These photographs were shot on transparency film, developed as a colour negative (C41 process), scanned, then further manipulated in photoshop. Photographed in 1994.

[PT 07] Ruth Joy #1

[PT 08] Ruth Joy #2

[PT 09] Ruth Joy #3

[PT 10] Ruth Joy #4

[PT 11] Ruth Joy #5

In The Nursery are a neoclassical dark wave and martial industrial band based in Sheffield. Centred around brothers Klive and Nigel Humberstone and Delores Marguerite C. the band is prolific in its output and is especially known for their rescoring of silent films. Past Members are Q and Ant Bennett. 1986-96.

[PT 12] Klive, Nigel and Ant Bennett on the rooftop at the derelict cutlery firm Viners, Hanover way, Sheffield.

[PT 13] Klive and Nigel. This image was later sepia toned, bleached and manipulated for the ‘Twins’ album cover. Released 1986.

[PT 14] Klive and Nigel. Tinted version.

[PT 15] Klive and sword.

[PT 16] Klive and Nigel.

[PT 17] Q and Delores Marguerite C.

[PT 18] Delores Marguerite C. EP cover for Sesudient 1990. Iron Blue Toner.

Roy Bailey 1935-2018 was a socialist folk singer and university professor of sociology. His popular music had the subtext of political and social dissent which enabled him to appeal to a wide audience. He championed the underdog, using folk music to fight social injustice and political repression. Described as “the very soul of working class ideals…and a radical alternative to the mainstream music industry”. Photographed on and under Tinsley viaduct, Sheffield in 1994.

[PT 19] Roy Bailey #1

[PT 20] Roy Bailey #2

Opera singer, photographed at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield 1994. These photographs were shot on transparency film then developed as a colour negative (C41 process) before printing.

[PT 21] Opera Singer #1

[PT 22] Opera Singer #2

Reg Glenn 1893-1994 was the last surviving member of the Sheffield City ‘Pals’ Battalion formed in the first weeks of WW1. Photographed at his home in Hillsborough in April 1993, Reg was 100 years old, he died the following year. He served on the Western Front between 1914-18 and fought in the hopeless attempt to capture the fortified village of Serre on the 1st of July 1916 which preceded the Battle of the Somme. This engagement effectively destroyed the Sheffield City ‘Pals’ Battalion. Reg later rose through the ranks from private to commissioned officer until he was discharged after being wounded in June 1918. Reg’s memory was extraordinary recalling his life in the trenches, saying he was still haunted by the past.

[PT 23] Reg Glen.

To be continued…

O’Neil is a professional editorial model who kindly offered to model for me. The theme of these photographs were pastiches of theatrical Shakespearean characters such as Claudius, Othello, Oberon, Puck and others. The headwear was hired from the props department at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. The original photographs were shot on transparency film, developed as a colour negative (C41 process), printed as a b/w image, then chemically toned and manipulated to create different effects. Some images were also printed on lithographic paper. The chemical toners used were combinations of copper, iron blue, sepia and diluted bleach. These images have been scanned from the original negative then manipulated in photoshop to replicate the original chemically toned images. Photographed in 1995.

[PT 01] O’Neil. #1 Iron Blue/diluted bleach toner.

[PT 02] O’Neil. #2 Lithographic paper image.

[PT 03] O’Neil. #3 Sepia/Copper toner.

[PT 04] O’Neil. #4 Iron Blue toner/diluted bleach.

[PT 05] O’Neil. #5 Copper toner.

[PT 06] O’Neil. #6 Iron Blue toner.

Ruth Joy (Oram) was the vocalist and lyricist with Sheffield band Krush which had a number of hit records in the late 1980’s. She was the writer and singer of Krush’s ‘House Arrest’ hit single in 1987. She later launched a successful solo career in the early 1990’s. These photographs were shot on transparency film, developed as a colour negative (C41 process), scanned, then further manipulated in photoshop. Photographed in 1994.

[PT 07] Ruth Joy #1

[PT 08] Ruth Joy #2

[PT 09] Ruth Joy #3

[PT 10] Ruth Joy #4

[PT 11] Ruth Joy #5

In The Nursery are a neoclassical dark wave and martial industrial band based in Sheffield. Centred around brothers Klive and Nigel Humberstone and Delores Marguerite C. the band is prolific in its output and is especially known for their rescoring of silent films. Past Members are Q and Ant Bennett. 1986-96.

[PT 12] Klive, Nigel and Ant Bennett on the rooftop at the derelict cutlery firm Viners, Hanover way, Sheffield.

[PT 13] Klive and Nigel. This image was later sepia toned, bleached and manipulated for the ‘Twins’ album cover. Released 1986.

[PT 14] Klive and Nigel. Tinted version.

[PT 15] Klive and sword.

[PT 16] Klive and Nigel.

[PT 17] Q and Delores Marguerite C.

[PT 18] Delores Marguerite C. EP cover for Sesudient 1990. Iron Blue Toner.

Roy Bailey 1935-2018 was a socialist folk singer and university professor of sociology. His popular music had the subtext of political and social dissent which enabled him to appeal to a wide audience. He championed the underdog, using folk music to fight social injustice and political repression. Described as “the very soul of working class ideals…and a radical alternative to the mainstream music industry”. Photographed on and under Tinsley viaduct, Sheffield in 1994.

[PT 19] Roy Bailey #1

[PT 20] Roy Bailey #2

Opera singer, photographed at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield 1994. These photographs were shot on transparency film then developed as a colour negative (C41 process) before printing.

[PT 21] Opera Singer #1

[PT 22] Opera Singer #2

Reg Glenn 1893-1994 was the last surviving member of the Sheffield City ‘Pals’ Battalion formed in the first weeks of WW1. Photographed at his home in Hillsborough in April 1993, Reg was 100 years old, he died the following year. He served on the Western Front between 1914-18 and fought in the hopeless attempt to capture the fortified village of Serre on the 1st of July 1916 which preceded the Battle of the Somme. This engagement effectively destroyed the Sheffield City ‘Pals’ Battalion. Reg later rose through the ranks from private to commissioned officer until he was discharged after being wounded in June 1918. Reg’s memory was extraordinary recalling his life in the trenches, saying he was still haunted by the past.

[PT 23] Reg Glen.

To be continued…