London 2022

There is no decisive moment. As a photographer you approach the subject with an idea, a brief and an aesthetic; pre-conceived and pre-edited, if not pre-ordained. The decision is made way before.

We live in a time of bespoke truth. It is an elusive commodity and sits between the photographer, the subject and the viewer.

As a young man I was always curious; looking for the extraordinary in the mundane, the accessible in the exceptional and occasionally the humour in the cracks.

In 1981 I left London for Berlin, attracted by the city’s history, art and literature. A walled city and an island prison but also a cauldron of creative energy and artistic freedom. Always watching or being watched. A post-punk bohemian adventure, where the Cold War was played out in the shadow of Grosz, Dix, Weill, Brecht and Bowie.

I didn’t become Christopher Isherwood nor find Sally Bowles but I am still that young man. I am journalist as witness and flâneur as observer.

Who - Back in London in the early eighties I began to shoot portraits for the iconic fashion and culture magazine Blitz, work as a unit photographer at the BBC and shoot arts for The Times.

What - I moved further into photojournalism with work for The Telegraph covering conflict, war, politics and current affairs in over 120 countries. I have seen work published all over the world.

Where - For over 25 years I have visited the countries of Europe for a personal ‘Independence Day’ project, travelling to each on their day of national celebration.

One Camera. One Lens. One Country. One day.

This will be available as a book and exhibition in the future. For now, a single image from each country is featured on the website.

Please enjoy.