Steve Wood's blog

Tom Wood - Street Photographer and Portraitist

I feel the photographer is successfully trying to show the busy and diverse life on a bus journey. The primary focus is of a well-dressed elderly lady with a suitcase and with a confident look about her. She appears to be on a journey, possibly to meet somebody or away for ‘an occasion’.
All people on the bus are in focus which allows the viewer to explore the many individual stories. The question is ‘why are they all on this bus and where are they going? We see old and young, single and couples, friends, mothers and children. All going about their business.
The black and white image allows us to only focus on the people.

Bruce Davidson - Subway

The photographer is portraying a girl travelling on the New York subway. Not a very pleasant environment but the use of natural light highlights her unemotional expression.

The question is ‘where is she going?’ Her dress and jewellery could illustrate she is going to work or to meet someone.

Graffiti on the carriage walls tells us the subway is not a pleasant place to be but only a means of travel. The use of natural light gives the viewer a sense of darkness and unease.

There is no communication with the other travellers, only individual thoughts. The focus is on the central girl and colour gives the image a greater sense of depth.

Tom Wood - Research

Tom Wood is an Irish Street photographer who is best known for his photographs in Liverpool from 1978 to 2001. His images depict street life, in the pubs and clubs, Markets, workplaces, parks and football grounds. Wood trained as a conceptual painter and was brought up with the difficulties of having a protestant father and catholic mother. It is widely viewed that Wood has a commonality and empathy with the Liverpool people and his works strongly depicts this. Wood has explored a multiplicity of formally divergent themes and quotations.

Bruce Davidson - Research

Davidson is known for his photographing communities usually hostile to outsiders. He was born in a suburb of Chicago to a Jewish family of Polish origins. His notable work includes Brooklyn Gang, The Dwarf, East 100th Street and Subway. It is viewed that his work is closely linked to his upbringing and has a career going back to the age of 10 when his mother built him a dark room. Davidson later achieved National recognition of his work at the age of 19. He is known to tackle subjects such as alcoholics and highly emotive subject matter. For example, for his college thesis, Davidson created a photo-essay ‘Tension in the dressing room’ his first to be published in Life, documenting the emotions of Yale Football players behind the scenes of the game.

Personal Images

I wanted to photograph people embarking on a journey and chose to photograph people at Liverpool Lime Street railway station. My experiences put me in front of many different characters all of whom had a purpose to be at the station. Some were working, others were travelling and some were meeting friends and family. Every person depicted in these photographs gave me permission to take their photograph and I feel I managed to get a good balance of people at the station. On a personal note, I enjoy taking pictures of people and am fascinated by their demeanour and expression.

I wanted each image to have a story and feel I have achieved this. Some stories are stronger than others but all ask pertinent questions. This was my objective. My personal favourites are the dog and the punk rocker.

Personal Photo shoot - Rob Rix, Master Barber

I have known Rob for over 5 years and find him a fascinating character. I wanted my viewer to experience his sinister presence and to illustrate his passion in the old traditions of a ‘gentleman’s barbershop’. My images show him using traditional handheld equipment including a razor that, when used by him, could be described as ‘Sweeney Todd’. He has a charismatic demeanour  and focus whilst cropping facial hair. Thankfully, there are no pie shops nearby.

Rob, and son Dan, have won many UK and International Barber shop and business award. The shop is in the style of a 1950’s and includes 4 traditional sturdy chairs. ‘The Master Barbers’ is considered the ‘best in town’.

Ladies can also be found frequenting the establishment and Rob trains all his staff personally. Rob and Dan are the two main barbers in the shop and consider all clients as friends.

For all the reasons above, I was delighted when Rob agreed for me to take his portrait.

2 x favourites

 Image 1

Image 2

Why are these my favourites?

I wanted to photograph someone with character and interest. I have got to know Rob over the last 5 years and find him a very positive and fascinating character. His ‘Emporium’ takes you back in time to experience the true ‘craft’ of a gentleman’s barbers. For me, he is the perfect subject, and was more than willing to support me and my project.

For my two favourite images I wanted to choose two that demonstrated the following:

1. That illustrates Rob’s character. Professional, focused, highly skilled, proud, award winning and charismatic.
2. An image that illustrates his craft.

The first image of Rob, in my opinion, highlights his charisma. He has a look of focus and authority.

The second image, in my opinion, demonstrates the competency of his ‘craft’. His slick use of the razor and the careful use of his hands.

Second Photoshoot images

Robert Rix – Contact sheets and favourite images

For my images, I wanted to illustrate two things:

1. Rob’s professionalism and charisma.
2. Rob’s craft.

Areas of Rob’s craft are illustrated through the skilled use of his ‘utensils’. I noticed Rob has a certain ‘way’ with his hands through the creation of shapes and the care of his client. They look like barbers’ hands and, in their own way, demonstrate Robs skills as a master barber. I feel my two chosen images capture Rob and his craft absolutely.

Rob describes his shop as a ‘gentleman’s emporium’. When you enter, you have a sense of going back in time. I wanted to photograph Rob in ‘his environment’, a place where he is most comfortable and a place where the ‘client is king’. I wanted to illustrate Rob in the zone that his ‘gentleman’s emporium’.

The contact sheet and chosen images capture a charismatic master barber in a ‘gentleman’s emporium’ and a master barber working his ‘craft’.

Favourite and final image

I wanted to use an image that captures Rob’s charisma, his award winning ‘gentleman’s emporium’ and an image that demonstrates his professionalism as a master barber. I feel the image chosen achieves all these important aspects with Rob standing by his barber’s chairs and within his self-described ‘gentleman’s emporium’.

Rob has practiced his craft since the age of 20. The image shows experience, professionalism, charisma, and authority. It shows a gentleman who is very personable and who wishes to ensure his clients have a unique experience. The fact that Rob describes his shop as a ‘Gentleman’s emporium’ speaks volumes about what he wants to achieve.

Rob is passionate about sharing his craft and offers his own courses in Gentleman’s grooming. I feel the image shows his determination through his deep-set eyes.

It has been a pleasure to complete Rob’s ‘environmental portrait’ and I thank him for his help, courtesy and support of my work.