Somerset House – Strange goings-on!

We were in London about ten days ago, staying in a hotel opposite the illustrious Somerset House (SH), which amongst other things, is home to the Courtauld Institute’s fantastic collection of paintings.  However, one of the reasons for visiting SH, was to see the winning entries of the Sony World Photography Competition.  The exhibition also included a tribute to William Klein, the American photographer/artist.

I was not disappointed with the exhibition – as you’d expect there wasn’t duff photograph on display.  And many were just brilliant – they were exemplary in terms of content, style, message and execution.  The images were superbly presented and set out in a wonderfully well lit space.  I hope some of my RPS colleagues went and took notes on how to curate such a diverse set of photographs.  The web and a computer screen do not do the pictures justice, but here’s a link to some of the entries: click here.

But…there were two strange things about SH.

Firstly, no photography was allowed at the Sony World Photography Exhibition.  “….huh…you what? But I can see the photos on the web – even download them, but I can’t photograph the exhibition?”.  “Correct” said the ticket lady with a crooked grin.

And secondly, not one, but two SH security guards stopped a couple of photography students, plus a fashion model, from shooting in the enormous SH piazza.  It seems they had not obtained permission first. “…….put yer camera away and sling yer hook….”.  What’s really strange is that the SH guards didn’t care about the hundreds of people who, like me, were taking pictures with their point-and-shoots.  We were invisible – clearly a point-and-shoot is not a camera.  I felt like going back to the Sony Exhibition, paying another £15 and trying my luck.

So I proudly publish and dedicate these two images, taken with my little Canon IXUS 210, to the seemingly crazy rule-makers at one of London’s premiere centres for the arts and culture.  Quite.

Somerset House Piazza – 1

Somerset House Piazza – 2