Life is a portrait ... best taken well

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I love Annie Leibovitz's work.  Back in January, a couple of my friends and I went to the National Portrait Gallery (London) and checked out her exhibition - A Photographer's Life, 1990 - 2005.  It was truly amazing.  I hope sometime i'll have a body of work as inspiring as hers.  Not sure about that, but I can aspire. 
I've spent much of my time (when i've had some) looking at the work of other amateur photographers, and not really focusing on that of Professionals.  So over the last couple of days, I've been looking at the work of other established professionals.  Not the ones that I already knew about, from studying photography at college, such as Martin Parr, Mario Testino, Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz, but rather those unfamiliar to me entirely.  So I searched around the Internet for a while, before I decided to go back to basics, which ended up being Vanity Fair - after all, A.L. is a contributing photographer for them.  In any case I came across Brigette Lacombe.  Her pictures are beautiful ... especially her photos of Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren, they're so dignified and graceful. 
I've never really been a fan of portraiture (I'm aware that's a bit of a contradiction, considering I've already stated that I loved A.L's work), but frankly, I guess as with all things, it's about the way its done.  Lacombe's pictures struck me because rather than being purely a record - harsh and unfeeling, there is a warmth to her pictures, well, at least the one's that she's posted on her site.  If ever I could get the chance, I'd love to have a portrait taken by her.  Anyway, check it out. 
I'm building up the courage to submit some of my own work.  Expect that shortly.  Comments will be most welcome.

... Here Goes ...

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"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into."  ~Ansel Adams 
Never a truer word spoken in my opinion.  I've struggled for some time with the concept of writing a blog - I've always felt that it would be a little self-involved of me.  Yet, I love reading photo-blogs, seeing what other photographers are up to, seeing their progression, so here goes my attempt.  Photography is such an eye-opening medium.  I've been infatuated with London for years now, and frankly right now, can't see myself leaving.  I came across Kayode Okeyode on Flickr shortly after I joined a few years ago.  His photographs are fantastic, and he captures so much of what is good about London.  The culture, the vibrant colours, the energy, it's really inspiring.  Seriously check him out.