When Someone Says No.

The beauty of photography on the High Street during the Festival is the people you meet. Everyone going about their business performing, promoting their shows.

There is always something happening, something to take photographs of. It is just a case of looking. You can spend all day in one spot or move around checking every opportunity that may just make that great photo.

My collection is full of opportunities found or images that have come to me.

What my collection is not full of is the celebrities that on occasion frequent the High Street. I have a rule. One rule, for celebrities only; no exceptions!

I ask if I can take their photo, if they say no, I’ll not trouble them again, ever!

Paul Merton and Bill Bailey are two I’ve asked and turned me down. A pity to because I do like Paul Merton. But alas I can’t ask again.

Bill Bailey, I’d thought of as a reasonable guy, possibly open enough for the chance of a photo, but instead I found him rude and totally unapproachable. He had his personal stereo on and he just gestured to his headphones, shrugged his shoulders and carried on walking.

I’ve always been sensible in my quest of that celebrity photo. I’ll not stop someone and ask them if there are lots of people around. They just want to get from A to B like everyone else. I’ll “pursue” discreetly until a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle appears. Paul Zenon I got using that approach. Jerry Sadowitz too.

Paul Zenon I happened to spot as I was having a coffee in The Chanter on a Sunday afternoon. He walked past the window. I grabbed my camera and a flashgun, asked if they’d mind if I left my bag for a few minutes and set off after him. Crossing Lothian road we headed off towards Morrison Street, a moment or so away from the crowds I stopped him and asked quickly for a shot to which he consented.



Jerry Sadowitz too I didn’t stop in the full public glare of a busy street. I was surprised when he said yes and I ‘didn’t get my head bitten off or tell me to f**k off!
Being taken by suprise that I had the opportunity for a photograph meant I’ve probably got my worst celebrity shot.

James Nesbitt I caught with luck on a Sunday afternoon while once again I was in The Chanter enjoying a coffee. He was filming just outside The Chanter, at a point in proceedings when they’d stopped for a coffee I rushed out and grabbed a couple of shots. He asked me who I worked for seeing the photographic equipment I was carrying.

These photos are mine and mine alone, however much I could get from sale of these images, you’ll not find them splashed over the pages of any newspaper, unless of course I’m asked by my subject to do so!! As mentioned before I was offered a large sum of money for my Baryshnikov photo, which I turned down.