Shadows and Light, 2012
This was taken somewhere in central London, UK. I don’t know the exact spot, but it’s not far from Somerset House, on the North bank of the River Thames.
Shadows and Light is the final track on Joni Mitchell’s 1975 album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns. The album’s my favourite of Joni’s, and one of my all-time favourite LPs. She’s had an amazing career with very few lows to my mind (although I’ve not caught up with her newest work).
For the remainder of this week and maybe a bit of next I’ll be using Joni Mitchell songs as my titles.
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RIP Eric Sykes
The Future Is Papier Mâché 
Good portrait – very powerful! Is there a background story (there always is)?
It´s also one of my favourite albums – although I´ve always got “Pissing on Summer Lawns” in my head – maybe you too now!
Cheers
Thanks, Charles! Yes, and thanks for that, ha ha! It won’t go away. There is a small background story from yesterday, but I’m going back to talk to him today.
Again, this feels like an important portrait – something I will see in a museum someday where the subject is a study of humanity in the 21st century. Great title. I was just listening to Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius who played with her on the Shadows and Light tour. It is a great album. The shadows and light live album is also quite wonderful. But as you already said, I can’t think of a bad album by the iconic Ms. Mitchell.
Wow, thanks Mobius – what an incredible compliment. This photo feels like an important one for me as a person for sure. I haven’t heard the live album, so that’s going on my birthday list – thanks for the tip!
Another great portrait. There’s so much going on behind those eyes, which leads you not to dismiss him as just another homeless guy, but to want to find out more. Nice one, Richard! 🙂
Thanks, Richard! I’m really glad to know the photo does something.
That is a great portrait. I don’t know if that is what you were after, but it is certainly what you got. I think it is fantastic.
I don’t really know Joni Mitchell, I’ve heard of her, and I’ve wanted to listen to some of her music, I might try the album you spoke of. Thanks Richard.
Wow, thanks so much, Leanne – I take that as a huge compliment!
Yes, Joni Mitchell’s brilliant – other very good albums are: Blue, Court and Spark, Ladies of the Canyon, Hejira…hold on I’m just naming all her albums. 🙂
Thank you, I will check them out. She is one of those artists that I think I would really like.
Sweet Bird is my fav track of that LP I think. Great collection of songs though
Yes, there’s a hair’s breadth between them all for me, but I think Edith and the Kingpin is my favourite…er then again…
How did you get such a wonderful shot too?
Luck.
Fantastic portrait, Richard!!! His face tells a real story about life!!!
Thanks, Santi! Yes, a sad one – I liked him very much. He wasn’t there today. I might try again tomorrow.
Joni Mitchell! Now you’re in Canuck territory:) She has a place on Sechelt, which is relatively close to here:) Agreed, fabulous portrait.
Thanks, Deanne 🙂 Wow, do you ever see her in the supermarket?
I like Joni Mitchell, and the title is apt for this image, for so many stories of the marginalised there is both… Excellent study.
Thanks, EllaDee.
Love this series. Your b&w photographs are superb!
Thank you so much, George. Love your blog.
Excellent shot, really like the connection and emotion in this one..
Thanks, Robert, that’s a very nice compliment. I really liked him as a person.
Great image – has a very gritty, honest (if that’s the right word) feel to it.
Thanks, Stevie. It’s mostly honest – I tweaked the contrast a bit, but otherwise as I shot it.
Love your portrait…
Shadows and Light: one of the most underrated live albums by anyone…astonishing chemistry between Joni and Jaco, the greatest electric bassist who ever lived.
Thanks very much. Glad you like it.
Indeed!