2010 continues to be a year of growth and transformation for me, for which I am grateful.
When running and growing a business, it can sometimes be a bit surreal when things come together since 95% of the time you are facing extreme challenges. But I can truthfully say it’s all been worth it and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey – couldn’t imagine having it any other way.
On that note, on to the latest bit of good news.
I am very excited to announce the launch of my photo fundamentals courses. While I have always been more than happy to share as much photo knowledge with folk as possible, it wasn’t until recently that more and more people started asking me to actually spend time with them showing them the basics. I found this to be extremely rewarding and started putting together learning programs for individuals. Then I thought, “Why not open this to everyone?”
Voilà! photo fundamentals! The courses have been designed to provide you with the essential tools and creative encouragement to produce your own individual works of art – from learning camera controls all the way to technique. There is too much info to try to cram into one blog post, so the details on the courses can be accessed by clicking here.
Currently I am running one-to-one tutorials, but never fear, group workshops are on their way. Please feel free to have a read through the course description and a) tell a friend, b) tell everyone you know, c) sign up for a course or d) all of the above.
Peace!
Leon
Ps. Info about the courses can also be accessed through my main site at www.leoncato.com.
Posted in Photography, Uncategorized.
Tagged with Leon Cato Photography Tutorials Learning photo fundamentals basics.
By Leon Cato
– August 18, 2010
After much deliberation I finally decided to start a Facebook Fan Page. So far, so good and I am glad that I went for it….please join and spread the word!
Peace
Posted in Uncategorized.
Tagged with Leon Cato Photography Fan Page.
By Leon Cato
– June 28, 2010
I am still buzzing from last night’s opening – I must say that it couldn’t have gone better. It was a well attended affair with loads of photo enthusiasts, artists, family and friends. A true success overall – many thanks to everyone for all the support in London and back home in the States and for the many kind words.
Special thanks to Cristina for the prints, Dirk for the snaps of the evening and Lemoy for my first interview!
Ps. The exhibition runs until 4 June so if you weren’t able to make it down there is still time. I will also be posting shots, write-ups, and the lot over the next fews days so keep an eye out!
Peace
Posted in Art, Photography.
By Leon Cato
– May 21, 2010
Pleased to be able to show this image. This is for the Swagga Muffin clothing line by UK grime artists Roll Deep.
Check out the site www.swaggamuffin.co.uk
Btw, their single Good Times is number 1 in the UK this week
Posted in Art, Photography.
By Leon Cato
– May 4, 2010
This is shaping up to be a great year.
I am so pleased to announce that I will be having a solo exhibition!
Details are in the press release below….if you are in town, please stop by and let me know what you think…..Peace!
leon cato photography
solo exhibition
Rhythmic Urbanism
In 2006, Freelance Photographer Leon Cato embarked on a 4 year project to capture images of underground Urban musicians in the UK.
Having grown up in NY, Leon was fascinated with the artistic brilliance that lay just under the surface of the commercial music industry in the UK.
The result of the project is a collection of photographs of recording artists and producers who have taken their own angle on the creating “urban” music. These artists have developed individual sounds and have consistently put out music that is unique, rhythmic and distinctly British. Artists Roll Deep, Shonanis, Mz Fontaine, Lemoy and ddubble are some of the artists on display.
Whether on stage or in studio these shots capture the essence of the artists and their style. “The best part about photographing musicians is being around the music,” said Leon who has lived in London for the past 6 years. “I feel privileged have sampled some real creativity that many people never get to hear. I am a music head to the fullest so this was indeed a fantastic journey”.
The exhibition is being held at Gallery 1885, 16 Bowden Street, London SE11 4DS. The opening is on 20 May 6-9:30pm. – Please rsvp – info@leoncato.com
Following this evening the exhibition will continue to run until 4 June. M-F, 11 – 9pm – Sat and Sun 11 -6pm
Leon Cato is a London-based portrait, music and fashion photographer.
Leon’s work has been published in The Independent as well as on various music and culture websites. Leon’s photographs capture raw emotion from his subjects – a moment and its mood. Leon’s work ranges from location and studio portraits to live music performances, fashion shoots and events.
Posted in Art, Photography.
Tagged with exhibition photographs.
By Leon Cato
– May 2, 2010
How cool is this? Very cool is the answer.
Two of my framed photographs are presently on display at Horne and Harvey Gallery in St James, Central London.
These are shots that I took at a bullfight in Seville, Spain during the Summer of 2006 (in 2,000 degree heat no less) and are limited edition prints.
If you happen to be riding around St James’s in your Bentley, you can stop by the gallery at St James’s Street to have a look.
Location is:
Horne & Harvey
23a St James’s Street,
London, SW1A 1HA
Opening hours are M-F 9:30am – 6pm.
And oh yeah, if you have a spare shilling or two, you can actually purchase the prints.
Booyah!
Posted in Uncategorized.
By Leon Cato
– April 8, 2010
Ok, I have spent the last half-year getting a bit busy with the studio and strobist shots so I made it a point to do my next commission in natural light. I know that fashion in natural light is something that a lot of photographers do, but still think its something that is under-represented, so I thought I would try to add to the cause my knocking this one out in that light that God Giveth……
This is of course going back to my “roots” but the English weather was playing its usual tricks and changing every 15 minutes, so I was a bit wary of a blast of overbearing harsh sun or a rain-shower throwing a monkey-wrench (spanner for my UK folk) into the works. Nevertheless, I found a local location – around the corner from my house – where they were digging up the streets and went for it – glad the bobbies didn’t show up.
Really glad the client didn’t mind climbing through “Don’t go here” barriers to get the shots. I think they worked out pretty well, even though I had to move a few of the plastic barriers and dodge a few cars….
Finally a couple more shots taken in my home….
A very good afternoon overall. Really lucked out with the weather….hoping to have more opportunities like this during the summer…..
Posted in Art, Photography.
Tagged with natural light model fashion shoot black man construction road works Thames Water.
By Leon Cato
– April 5, 2010
Cool 4 level home of framed fine art paintings and photographs
Ok, maybe I was the only person who didn’t know, but today I took a walk in my neighborhood and the nearby Crystal Palace / Gipsy Hill area and found art! Good art at that.
This is the very first time I wandered there since living in South Norwood, over a year….pitiful I know. Actually, I have explored the Norwood environs before but mostly heading in the other direction towards Croydon. My only experiences in Crystal Palace have been less than positive as both involved me having to be rescued by motorcycle tow drivers while zipping through on the way to Central. Once a mechanical fault and the other an electrical one – two different bikes at that (watch those massive radio towers and your car/bike alarms!)
Ok enough pyscho-babble… I “found” this really cool shop called “Picture Palace” which has loads of cool framed paintings and photographs. As I wandered around looking at lovely framed portraits of Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela, Al Pacino and Audrey Hepburn, I noticed the owner speaking loudly – I uplugged Massive Attack from my ears to hear her say “you alright? we have three more stories upstairs”
How cool, I was just out for a walk to get away from the computer for a change and found myself admiring some really fantastic work. Turns out there is a local artist named Reg Eldridge whose works were on display on the top floor. Lovely work. Didn’t have my proper camera but alas, iPhone to the rescue….this also satisfies my 365 for the day!
Posted in Art, Exploration, Observation, Photography.
Tagged with 365 "Reg Eldridge" "Picture Place" Crystal Palace Paintings Walk South London Picture Place Portraits.
By Leon Cato
– April 1, 2010
This is my first official blog. How exciting. Despite the date this is no April fools stunt, I am actually going to start keeping a blog. In the past, I thought, “I don’t have anything to say” but then realized that I actually do have loads to share with folk and what better way than this to keep ya’ll updated on my adventures. Now the only challenge is to keep up with this on top of all of life stuff, work, work and the twenty other “You have to do this” digital thingamabob….
Anyway, welcome and hope that you visit here often, and maybe leave a comment or two as that always enjoyable (mostly cuz it means that someone is actually reading this).
Peace!
Leon
Posted in Uncategorized.
By Leon Cato
– April 1, 2010
www.leoncato.com