National Photographic Portrait Prize 2007 Finalist
Martin had survived open-heart surgery 24 hours earlier and he had invited me to take his portrait. My preferred approach required him to stand up, which he did with some difficulty, since he was in considerable pain. It really shows his strength and determination. I approach all subjects identically, giving myself strict boundaries of composition, lighting and choice of camera/film. Each individual is painted with the same brush, without help of retouching, regardless of fame or obscurity. My aim is to minimise the subject's acquired, and inevitable, awareness of self when asked to be photographed. Less is seeing more.