JamesGourley

LaLast night (29/05/12) I shot Coldplay at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.  I am quite a fan of Coldplay so I've wanted to shoot them for quite a long time, but have been put off by the heavy restrictions to photographers shooting them, after reaching an agreement with their management I was on my way to Coventry.  I arrived at the venue nice and early to shoot the support acts, only to be told that wasn't allowed (for some unexplainable reason...) So I had to spend a couple of hours sat outside twiddling my thumbs, and watching the world go by. One man (not Rita Ora) getting himself in the party mood by dancnig outside the stadium whilst I waited.  I had a quick look around the merchandise stands. I felt ripped off just looking at the price of this mug.

 

Finally we got our chance to go inside and shoot.  I wasn't disappointed, right from the word go, fireworks, lasers, huge bouncy balls and tens of thousands of bits of confetti fired around the place.  It all made for an exciting 3 songs. -Spot the most annoying hand ever. We weren't allowed to take photos of the band during this song, just the balls. Go figure. 

This was by far my favourite gig shoot i've done so far. Great fun.

NOTICE- JUST LIKE ALL PHOTOS ON THIS WEBSITE, THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHTED AND NOT TO BE COPIED, MANIPULTED, STORED, OR TRANSMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF JAMES GOURLEY. 

Before the recent London Mayoral election I had the opportunity to shadow the Liberal Democrat candidate, Brian Paddick for about 10 days whilst he fought to become the first Liberal Democrat mayor of London.  It wasn't to be, and Brian eventually finished fourth to Boris, Ken and the Green party's Jenny Jones.

Here are some of my photos from my time with him. 

 Brian Paddick psoes for a portrait outside City Hall.

Brian gives an interview under the watchful eye of one of his media team (left) at the London Liberal Democrat's HQ in the Ministry Of Sound. Brian Paddick and the 'Hackeny Heroine' Pauline Pearce talk with a local woman about the London Riots in Hackney. Brian Paddick speaks with his Head of Communications after sparring with former Heavyweight Champion Derek Williams at the launch of his election manifesto. Queen guitarist Brian May speaks with Brian Paddick at the London Lib Dem's HQ at the Ministry of Sound about animal rights issues. Brian Paddick laughs before doing an interview with BBC London News in front of City Hall. Brian Paddick speaks with his campaign manager Alison at the campaign HQ in the Ministry of Sound. Brian Paddick walks out of changing rooms after launching his campaign manifesto. Brian Paddick and his proposed deptuy mayor Caroline Pidgeon speak in private outside City Hall. Brian Paddick and the  'Hackeny Heroine' Pauline Pearce share a moment outside a shop in Hackney. Brian Paddick holds a copy of his campaign manifesto at the launch.

On Saturday I travelled up to Boughton House in Northamptonshire to photograph the first ever UK Tough Mudder event. The event has been running for several years in the Untied States, and has now ventured over to the UK, which is ironic, as the event was devised by British Special Forces members.

The 12 mile course forces its competitors to face extreme obstacles which require extreme stamina, strength and most of all team work in order to conquer them. The 25 obstacles included freezing water, barbed wire, electric shocks, fire and more mud than you've ever seen before in your life.  Here are some of my photographs.

I had an absolutely fantastic time shooting this, but if anybody knows the best way to clean cameras and lenses of dirt, please let me know.