Category Archives: Urban Gardens

Michael Hobbs


I worked on an allotment series in Richmond for Gardeners’ World magazine between 2008-10.  The adjacent plot was looked after by a very quiet Irishman, Michael Hobbs, who I got to know during my frequent visits. I loved his plot, which was like a 1960’s back garden, complete with gnomes and ornamental frogs, and I frequently left with handfuls of spare fruit, veg or flowers. These unpublished portraits were taken in 2010 after my last visits for GW.

Brutalist Classics


A walk yesterday with Alys Fowler, taking in a few Brutalist Architecture classics.  Starting at the infamous Erno Goldfinger building, the Trellick Tower, following the Regent’s Canal to Regent’s Park and the Royal College of Physicians, then on to The Barbican. I have been to the Barbican many times, but I never knew there was a temperate green house, the Conservatory, which is open to the public. Apparently the second largest in London, it is powered by the residual heat from all of the domestic underfloor heating. Open only on Sunday’s, but we obviously went in through the out door!  

Trellick Tower

IGPOTY at The Photography Show, 2014


I received a copy of the International Garden Photographer of the Year ‘Collection Seven’ book yesterday. With the judges final choices for 2014, it is a beautiful presentation of work, especially for those whose images are represented.   A list of all the judges. I really enjoyed meeting so many people over the two days I spent at The Photography Show as part of the IGPOTY programme of events. I lost count how many portfolio critiques I gave, but I saw many lovely images. For anyone thinking of entering next year, I’ll repeat the main point of the talks I […]

IGPOTY 2014, Collection Seven