Brand Ambassador to Analogue Wonderland

Capturing Moments: From Enthusiast to Ambassador for Analogue Wonderland

I am very happy to announce that I am now an official Ambassador to the UK’s best film development lab and film retailer - Analogue Wonderland.

Like most of us, I have had a very personal experience of developing my photography. From the initial need to make the magazine articles I was writing - driving me to first pick up a camera - to shooting legends of Hollywood, it has been a very private journey. Our inner dialogue with ourselves over art and composition, and what that means vs the technical exercises needing to be mastered in order to execute what we see can be very all consuming. The outer world sees our results when we choose to show them, but rarely does anyone ever see what it took for us to make what they see.

Photography is for everyone who wants to explore it. Often it isn’t actually for photographers at all, and it’s for an audience that loves seeing new things. Sometimes it’s for an audience of one, and we’re just happy to be making something meaningful,

For me, film photography has become what I most connect with. With access to classic lenses nearly 100 years old, and well looked after camera bodies that were handmade to last, there is a wealth of choice for even the smallest of budgets. We can all create with film. It may take more research into film stocks, buying and selling equipment as we try and discard shooting experiences not quite for us, but eventually we all get where we want to be if we persevere.

I am incredibly happy to be a part of the ambassador team at Analogue Wonderland. Their open enthusiasm for all things creative, their passion in the development lab and their engagement to encourage the wider community is exceptional. With ethical values and a sense of welcomeness, Analogue Wonderland is one of the key resources and drivers to greater adoption of film photography in the UK and the wider world through online presence.

To check out Analogue Wonderland, please use this link for all your darkroom lab and film buying needs: Analogue Wonderland

You’ll see more of the Ambassador team in the coming months, and if you want to follow any of them, here are their social media handles on Instagram:

@LiquidLightWhisperer

@amyfarrerphotography

@m.m.i_photography

@creativezoehub

@darkartsessions

@analogue13

@khandiephoto

@tombobwarland

@eva.serkinsky

@artoflifefilms

@samdavisphotographer

@milocalder

@analogue_canvas

@amberrosephoto

@stringbob

@byhananezahrouni

@lightninginabottleuk

@seekdiscoverconnect

So, The Cenobites Came To Town....

I’m a lucky so and so, and I’ve met and worked with a lot of amazing people in my life. This particular weekend was more fun than most, as ALL of the Cenobites from Hellraiser came to town.You couldn’t ask for four funnier demons!

Breakfast with Simon Bamford, Doug Bradley and Barbie Wilde - me on the right

It gets even better,and I had a lovely weekend with old friends, and making new ones.

Breakfast with the Cenobites from Hellraiser was a riotous laugh, hanging out with Heather Langenkamp from A Nightmare on Elm Street over dinner and having a drink with Jonathan Breck from Jeepers Creepers were all absolutely memorable. Most surprisingly, Eileen Dietz from The Exorcist became my favourite in person demon of all time, and that's saying something given this cast of characters!

Aside from working with Dario Argento, I think this was one of my favourite events of all time. I was challenged with the photography, but it was so well balanced with the fun, the humour and the genuinely stimulating conversations on every topic possible.

If you want to know more, of if you want me to shoot your event too, get in touch!

It's Been Quiet Because....

I happened to tear my bicep off at the elbow! So, just before Horrorcon I had an accident that stopped me from even litfing a camera to my eye. Not to be deterred I went anyway!

It was an amazing experience to see my name on the big screen with Malcolm McDowell’s for the screening of A Clockwork Orange. Thanks to Gill and Wendy over at the convention for asking me to be the photographer and take part, even though I couldn’t fulfil the former.

Spending the rest of the weekend with Malcolm McDowell in the evenings, Craig Sheffer (Hellraiser, A River Runs Through it, American Horror Story), Andrew Divoff (Wishmaster) and Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser, Nightbreed) was great fun. I’ve never seen anyone drink so many ‘venti mocha frappucinno with a shot of Vanilla and extra shot of espresso’ in my life as Craig, but caffeine comes in many forms and this was the longest version I’ve ever seen!

After the convention Craig and I spent the week together, hitting Stonehenge, watching movies, checking out the city of Bath, drinking more coffee and generally having an awesome time. When I hit the US with him we’ll be sure to see the Nevada Desert and take cameras! He’s no slouch with a camera, and seeing his film photography was an absolute joy.

Finally; yes, I shaved my head. After 2 years of no barber really being open for very long I just shaved it to save the hassle and now I’m so used to it I can’t go back to hair.

My next convention shoot will be Popcorn Comicon! There’s some amazing guests already announced (including two Doctor Who’s, and Hammer Horror stars) and I can’t wait to get the new camera system out to shoot it.

Malcolm McDowell, Asia Argento and Nick Frost? Yes Please!

Well, hello there photophiles! It’s been a long time since we posted news and a lot has happed, like the complete relocation of the studio to a new part of the country.

The Barefoot Photographer is once more at the globally prestigious Horrocon event at Magna! We’re also the official sponsor of a very special kick off screening of A Clockwork Orange with the legendary Malcolm McDowell. Malcolm will be watching the film with us and then taking a Q&A from the audience. Photography will be presented by our team, and we’re very excited to be a part of such a unique event.

Clockwork Orange Malcolm

All through the week we’ll be with Asia Argento, Malcolm and Nice Frost (Shaun of the Dead) for a fun filled weekend. Interviews, photoshoots, autograph sessions, food and drink; it’ll be a wild weekend. See www.horrorconuk.com and book your tickets now if you want to be part of this special weekend.

Joe Dante, Director of Gremlins!

I’m always happy when I get to meet new people. After shooting with the amazing director Dario Argento (Suspiria, Tenebrae & Phenomena), I now now get to shoot Joe Dante!

Joe Dante & Gizmo

Joe Dante & Gizmo

I get to do a lot of cool stuff with a lot of cool people. Last week it was an Aston Martin racing driver, and this week… well, that’s a secret for now ;)
Get in touch for your own events and shoots and we’ll be happy to help.

Back From A Long Break!

It’s been very busy. The studio has now moved location, the website tweaked here and there, more investment in our equipment has been done… and we’re ready to go again! First up is a new magazine shoot for a German publication, a very well known musical artist and we also just became the official photographer for Predator’s Gear sportswear.

Thanks for your patience, Barefoot fans :) We know you love what we do, and more of our mega-scale photographic art projects are well on the way, with prints available in every size concievable!

IMG-20190623-WA0027.jpg

Corey Feldman & Many Others....

I was once again the official photographer to my favourite weekend of the year: Horrorcon!

Corey Feldman, meeting and greeting his guests

Not only did I get to shoot Corey Feldman and all of the other guests, but hanging out with Dario Argento, my favourite movie director of all time, was more fun than I ever imagined!

I even had Scout Taylor Compton (Rob Zombie’s Halloween) re-enact meeting Michael Myers! It was actually taken in the break room behind the stage area, so no studio. Just my assistant with a speedlight and some camera know how!

Scout Taylor Compton (Rob Zombie’s Halloween) meeting Michael Myers one last time….

So what was it like? In a word, this weekend is SPECTACULAR! The organizers do such an amazing job, and the atmosphere is electric. This is my 3rd time at the convention, and 2nd as their photographer, and they really, truly knocked it out of the park this year on all fronts.

The guests?

  • Corey Feldman - An absolute gentleman

  • Ed Neal (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) - The funniest man alive and a treasure trove of movie knowledge

  • Sean Pertwee (Gotham, Dog Soldiers) - Beautiful guy, has time for everyone he meets

  • Scout Taylor Compton (Rob Zombie’s Halloween) - Sushi fiend, and the best fun! The crowd loved her

  • Victoria Price (Vincent Price’s daughter, author) - Wonderful! So kind, and a fountain of knowledge!

  • Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story) - Great fun, and my assistant was in complete awe to meet him. Always a good sign!

  • Jennifer Rubin (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3) - A personal favourite guest. I accidentally bumped into a famous UK model because of Jennifer, so more pictures for another time!

  • Duncan Regehr (Monster Squad) - A seriously, seriously great guest with many a tale to tell!

  • Dario Argento (Suspiria, Tenebrae, Opera) - My favourite movie director of all time. The Italian Hitchcock that inspired John Carpenter (they’re good friends, see them at Cannes!), Tarantino and so many more - an endless list

Here’s a personal gallery behind the scenes:

What a weekend! Several shoots yet to be published with amazing people. Another great event with great people, and long may it continue to be the very best gathering of its kind in the UK!

Martin, The Barefoot Photographer

More James Bond?

I recently had dinner with the stunt crew of the new James Bond movie which is currently in production. I don’t know anything about the story which is a state secret in itself, but we did get some shooting done!

Bond Girl. But which one...?

This wouldn’t be a ‘behind the scenes’ blog without some behind the scenes images! This image was taken in bright daylight in the afternoon. After dialing in the settings to my camera and lights, I made the scene look as if it is late night and neon lit. Here’s a couple of pictures taken during the shoot from my client’s cell phone.

You can do so much with lighting and camera settings to create the vision you want. I absolutely encourage anyone to develop their own style, look and to forget about the gear they’re using. You can make beautiful images with a camera, natural sunlight and a strong idea! You can use tools like I do too, but whatever you want to create, make it indelibly yours and make it beautiful.

Of course, we all had waaaay to much Thai food after the shoot to the point I could barely move! A wonderful way to spend the day and a fabulous way to end it off.

Thai food, and a great evening with the stunt crew

Cult Movie Director, Dario Argento Shoot!

Dario Argento has inspired me for 30 years. Visually, his works are a masterpiece of colour, composition and lighting. His tour-de-force technicality in visceral movie making is legendary and he is a known influence on his good friends Quinten Tarantino, John Carpenter and many more. He’s not referred to as “The Italian Hitchcock” for no reason!

I was having dinner with him while we flipped through my portfolio. I will never forget the moment when this master of visuals sat back, looked at my work and simply said “Bellissimo!” with no hesitation. Magical.

Next day we were shooting! Dario doesn’t do photo-shoots like this. Not ever. We went deep into an industrial steel complex, lit the scene and began shooting. It was an instant synergy. Having the maestro himself as my subject, I put him into a giallo film noir! We’d discussed film noir the night before, and it seemed only fitting given the over sized trench coat he was wearing and the massive space we were in to bring out that look.

Dario Argento, Shot by Martin Brown, The Barefoot Photographer

I have many more to come from this shoot. I will see Dario again in August for the launch of his auto-biography and be doing the photography to cover the event. I will take a print in of this image for Dario to sign as a one off, signed by myself and Dario as a true collector’s piece.

Until August for more work with the Maestro!

Martin