Brum Creatives 02.05.17
I’m back in the game after a semi hiatus. I hadn’t been working so much due to ill health. I’ve got some exciting commercial and event work coming up this month but I’m also full steam ahead on my ongoing Brum Creatives portrait project, photographing the range of talent that come from or make up Birmingham’s creative community.
It’s been horrendous not being able to work as much as I’d like. I get a buzz out of the whole shoot process – the pre production and planning, the shoot itself, whether it be in the studio or on location. I love the editing too, listening to my tunes while toying with photoshop.
I realise I need to start updating the site blog a bit more, so I’ll be putting the portraits up as I go along. I’ll start with this one of Selwyn Brown of Brummie roots reggae band, Steel Pulse.
Steel Pulse formed in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in 1975. Selwyn joined in 1976 and was present on their 1978 album Handsworth Revolution, a record that is condsidered hugely important in the evolution of British reggae.
Selwyn was really open to my project, as most of the Brummies I’ve shot are and he came to the studio in great form. We chatted about music, Brum and our loved canine companions.
Over a 41 year career with the band, winning a Grammy Award in 1986 for their album ‘Babylon The Bandit’ and having toured the globe headlining some of the biggest reggae festivals in the world, it’s probably safe to say that Steel Pulse are considered reggae royalty. They’ve recently had a gold star placed on Broad St in Birmingham to mark their success.
For the portrait, I felt like I had to get up close and soak up all that worldy experience. His friendly and humble nature was infectious. I hope he doesn’t mind me getting so close. This shot really makes me smile. Not just beacause of his chirpy appearance but I also remember just how much I enjoyed having him at the studio. He loves a biscuit, n’all!
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