Galliano enters the Grand Palais

"Galliano enters the Grand Palais "

Good luck John.
S

Simon Procter new photography for Bloom Magazine

Simon Procter new photography for Bloom Magazine, (just out.)
Liberty Print on Liberty Print.

featuring new faces Loup and Brune Procter and their freinds, Billie, Celia, Jade, Maeli, Valentin and Ulysse

Photography Simon Procter
Styling Camille Hammerer
Hair and Make up Magali Pilloux

Simon Procter shoots cover Bloom Magazine

Cathedral of Provins, In the medieval city,Northern France

The winter light is falling fast, the old city is almost empty. I Can still smell the insense from the beautiful mass.
Feels good to be so far from paris.

Giant plastic soldiers, I was there it was real.

Simon Procter "Death of a Painter" Christian Dior Haute Couture

Last summer the friend of the international photographer Simon Procter, Rolande, an aged but still very wild paintress died.

The family of Rolande agreed to open her studios one last time before all was cleared away.

Simon Procter with help from his friends at Christian Dior Couture and his paris creative team shot in this extraordinary space.

The young french model Pauline Serreau was given the daunting task of embodying the dead artist.

The following image,are a unique example of life, art and death interpreted through contemporary fashion photography.

Photographer Simon Procter

Stylist Donnatella Musco

Model Pauline Serreau @ elite

Make up Ismael Blanco

Hair Marc Orsatelli

The article in bloom magazine is accompanied by the personal text;

"We found dear Rolande the painter dead today. She lived just beneath my studio a mysterious recluse, when i first came to this place i only ever heard her, then she appeared one day,just like in a a fairytale. She had the head of a cat and was permanently shrouded in cigarette smoke. She came to tell me my footfalls were almost silent and she much appreciated i didn't wear shoes, then disappeared. The second time I saw her i enticed her with vodka , she liked vodka and told me my brand was wholly acceptable but not the best. She declared she was "sauvage" and then disappeared and we were friends.

Much later the strangest of things her friendship with my 5 year old daughter. I would sometime watch them from the window as they talked together. 80 years of life between them. Brune earnestly explaining birthday cakes and butterfly masks and Rolande discussing cats and sauvagery and the liberty of beasts. 

The last time i saw her she told me of her boat. Henri was her dead husband they had had a magnificent sailing boat , together they voyaged all over spain and greece. She told me once of a great storm that had come in fast and how they were afraid but had survived. She told me that they had planned to sail to egypt but there was some reason i didn't understand and they had never got there.

Xavier bravely climbed through the upper window and peered down through the trapdoor, he saw her body that had been there for many days, and then the forces of order descended and asked us all such ordinary questions, and the dream was over."
Simon Procter , Paris August 2010

(A few Hours ago) Simon Procter at Christian Dior Haute Couture SS11 show

Fermette, Becherelles northern France

Bought a Fermette today,(mini French Farm) in the peaceful countryside close to Provins, Northern France.
Can't quite believe it.
So many possibilities.
So many rooms for freinds,
Life is sweet.

Pinhole Camera experiments, Dior Haute Couture

Holga Panormaic Pinhole camera No Lens; made of plastic,  F128 , 180 degree field of view , 18 second exposure  infinte depth of  field , 30 euros  from Hong Kong,  Strange little machine indeed

underlove

Self Portrait Simon Procter, The Gore Hotel, Queengate London

Albert Memorial, dusk queensgate london

Chanel Haute Couture, Outside studio Procter last summer

Procter auto portrait with merry Xmas light

New Years Day

Xmas Funfair Bastille, 11eme

Came upon by accident.

Children cast adrift on a yellow sea while a monster ape, in his castle, laughs endlessly.

(he may be evil.)

Christmas Day, place des Voges 3eme

Peace & Love
Sxx

Simon procter Interview

[Un]Discovers: Simon Procter

I have been a fan of Simon Procter ever since I have the chance to look at his Blue Angel animation photo.  What you are about to see is an interview that will satisfy your curiosity of Simon Procter.

Hi Simon, I am so glad you are willing to be featured on this blog! So, how did you become a photographer? Did you consider to be a photographer as your career when you were small?
When I studied art only the rich kids did photography because it was an expensive pastime, such as developing film, equipment etc.. It was another country, many years later (after i shot my first nike ad) I remember buying an ancient but still powerful camera on ebay and marveling that it was mine. It is one of the underrated facets of the digital revolution that anybody now can create, the walls have fallen, only creativity and truth really matter. these are exciting days.

I have to agree with you that only creativity and true talent can define if you are a professional photographer or not. Who are your influence? Did you apply their styles when you are shooting photos?
I was forced to study 500 years of art history and photography was almost non existent in this.
My training is to create an image from scratch, an empty canvas, composition, draftsmanship . I don't suggest this method is higher or better but it's important to state that the way I create an image is not the same. Most days I dont consider myself a photographer.

I can totally see your photos are influenced by the history of art! Well, I read from your website that you started your photography gig by shooting the Dior show 100 feet above ground. Was that one of your most memorable experience ever? If not, what memorable experience can you share with us?
I Was lucky enough to meet by accident James Kaliardos and later Stephen Gan of Visionaire. it was the first time I had seen a fashion show.It was all very strange. My most memorable "fashion" experience was the first time I worked with Mr Lagerfeld, it was a crazy multi location shoot in NYC with 10 models and Karl himself. I was an unknown photographer at the time and it was a big risk for Stephen (Gan). It was very much a make it or break it moment. Luckily It all fell into place and Larl was so friendly and helpful. We finished the shoot in Time square and so many people came to see to a point we blocked the traffic.

Ah, how much I wish I could meet Karl in the future. I am sure it must be a good experience! I started to follow you after seeing the Blue Angel video. How did you come up with that concept? Did you take any reference from the history?
Many people have reported widely this work is based on italian renaissance painting but this is not true. The main influence is a French 18th century engraver , Gustave Doré. He illustrated many religous and biblical scenes that are very graphic, very dramatic. Also I am inspired by an English Painter John Martin that produced massive apocalyptic canvases.

I just have to say The Blue Angel is probably one of my favorite series I have ever seen. Out of all the editorials you have done to date, which one is the one you like the most? Why?
Well tricky, The big Galliano Royal shoot i did with Nicola Formenchetti for harpers US still brings me a lot but also the very first time i took over completely the art direction was a piece called "Red Dragon". It was the first time that I realized what Fashion photography could be .

So, other than fashion photography, what else do you like to shoot? Are you planning to explore other photography fields in the future?
Well I always produced a great deal of work that is not for publication and i have returned to writing recently. I am very lucky that my works are bought by international art collectors which gives me freedom to concentrate on projects for a long time. I am currently working on some new giant canvases that are half photography and half painting and who knows where this will lead..

------------------------------------

I have to say Simon has a very interesting career path especially he gets to meet some of the people I hope to meet in the future. Anyway, we should continue this feature with some trivia questions!

Paris or London? 
Two great loves impossible call.

Coffee or Tea?
Coffee. lots and lots of coffee.

Ready To Wear or Haute Couture? 
Couture forever or possibly vintage motorbike racing leathers.

Color or Black & White Photos? 
Depends the weather.

Rock or Pop?
I grew up in the 80s the two were unseperable.

Perrier or San Pellegrino? 
Badoit, perfect drink for the morning after.

Red or White Wine? 
Always cold beer, sorry La France

Mac or PC?
Whats a PC?

Nikon or Canon? 
Canon, but cameras are jus cameras, the least important part of the equation.

It is truly my honor to be able to feature Simon Procter ! Readers, keep your eyes open because when Simon has any new editorials coming up, this mag will be one of the places you will see his works! All photos are courtesy of Simon Procter and feel free to visit his official site. 

Disintegrating Polaroid

4x5 Polaroid, Chemicals were too old and unstable, Image has not fixed properly, fades and decays more each month.

"I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, and I understand."

chinese proverb

Studio Procter, this morning, exterior view.