Chris Gravett

My studies at the University of Westminster are progressing well and I am really enjoying the experience. A current consequence is that most of my photography activity is pertinent to the course and at this point not available for use here. So my photoblogging is less prolific than it has been. Today though I do have a couple of images and a story relating to how they came about. One of the by products of being at Westminster is the opportunity to join Westphoto picture agency and library and be eligible to enter the Westphoto Annual Photography Prize. A competition open to members at Westminster and universities in Berlin and Zurich. The closing date for entries this year is 20th October. I am entering a series of 6 images that are accompanied by a brief written introduction. I have been busy planning the series, I've written the intro and completed four of the images. For the last two images I require a brace of pheasants, dead but intact with feathers etc.

As the pheasant shooting season opened on October 1st I envisaged no problem in picking up a brace last week or this week at the latest. Once I have shot them (with my camera) I also have no scruples about hanging, plucking and drawing them ready for the 'pot'. To my surprise buying pheasants in October (or anytime for that matter) is not as simple as it used to be. Butchers have to observe EU regulations which for many make it impossible to have fresh game on their premises - so instead they buy in 'oven ready' from dealers. Add to that the birds are fairly small at the moment so many shoots are waiting a few weeks and concentrating on partridges at the moment.

So last week I took myself off to Borough market certain that I would find some feathered birds there. I know I've seen them there before. My first mistake was to rock up on a Wednesday when the market is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Not to waste my journey I though I'd take some photos and it was whilst wandering around the area I spotted the Shard.

Well I could hardly miss it but I found myself very close to it's base and took the opportunity to capture it before it's finished. I returned on the Thursday only to discover that there were no pheasants (intact) to be found. Another wasted journey! I had a few conversations following posting the photo above on Flickr centered around the pros and cons of this architecture. So I set about capturing an image which depicts the Shard alongside older London architecture. I didn't have to stray far to see this.

So here, in the foreground is the church of St George the Martyr dating from 1736 and mimicking it in the background is the Shard, nearing completion in 2011.

Well these excursions provided me with some images but did little to help my quest for pheasants. Over the last few days I have spent hours talking with butchers, beaters, shoot organisers, shotgun shop owners- I've even contacted NOBS, the National Organisation of Beaters and Picker Ups, no less! All to no avail. Then yesterday I checked out the blogsite of my good friend Dino. Check it out here Dino is something of a food & wine entrepreneur. One of his favourite food suppliers is O'Shea's of Knightsbridge. Dino suggested I contact them. Last night I did and today they advised me that a brace of pheasants would be waiting for me, in Knightsbridge, tomorrow morning. How's that for service? Well actually it will only be tomorrow morning I will be absolutely sure but from my conversations this morning I am positive they won't let me down