still looking

brief : In the early 1980's Liverpool based photographer Tom Wood published his seminal photojournalism project Looking for Love where he explored the alcohol induced behaviour of young men and women at the Chelsea Reach nightclub in Merseyside. I was introduced to this work shortly after discovering Tom Wood, and identifying that his photographic style seemed particularly relevant to my own.


Tom Wood showed me that his approach to street photography could be effectively translated into a different setting; in this case a nightclub.


After briefly experimenting with this type of environment in my 2002 project Relationships, I decided in 2005 that this type of work would suit a major long-term project. For a period of six months I attempted to bring Wood's concepts into a modern setting through my own project Still Looking.


In this work I have explored the themes explored in Looking for Love, but rather than concentrate on one venue, I visited several throughout Leeds and Manchester. I also looked at aspects of this environment that seem more relevant today than they did when Tom Wood completed his own work - namely the music, drug and drink cultures.


This work is my first major foray into a defined long-term photojournalism project. Due to it's potential, and the way it has challenged my photographic approach and style, it is likely that it will continue for several years before I consider it complete.

influences : Looking for Love and Photie Man - Tom Wood / Photojournalism

equipment : Canon EOS 20D, 10-22mm EF Lens, Sigma 12-22mm Lens, 420-EX Flash, Sto-fen Omni Bounce (2005)
equipment : Canon EOS 5D, 24-105mm EF 'L' Lens, 430-EX Flash, Sto-fen Omni Bounce (2006 onwards)


keywords : photojournalism, Tom Wood, Looking for Love, Photie Man, drug culture, alcohol culture, britain alcohol, binge drinking, sex, night club photography, teen relationships, photography, photo, photos, picture, pictures, All Zones Off Peak, Bus Oddesey, photojournalism