Russell James Pop-Up Gallery, Customs House Forecourt, Sydney

Photography? I'd always considered it one of the easiest creative arts to master - a case of frame your shot and hit the shutter button. It doesn't take long to realise that amazing photography is harder than it looks - an understanding of composition, of design, of seeing the beauty in the everyday that most of us miss, and combining this with the technical expertise to produce an image that is both startling and unforgettable.

Whilst I'm reasonably comfortable with photographing food, the human form is another plane of expertise I've yet to master. So an invite to the launch of noted fashion photographer Russell James' new book Restrospective was met with interest. Admittedly the lure of canapes may have had just as much sway!


The cube

The party took place on Monday night housed in a pop-up exhibition - a huge inflated cube installed on the forecourt of Customs House.


The cube is slowly inflated

I happened to be in town early on Saturday morning as the cube was being assembled. By Monday night, it resembled a gigantic igloo and was glowing pink.


Launch party crowds


Welcome cocktails

Oh it was a little bizarre standing in a room full of "beautiful people", the leggy models floating past on impossibly high heels. Celebrities? There was a constrained buzz around the much-smaller-in-real-life Kristin Davis, a wisp of a thing whose manager had requested no photos be taken of her past the red carpet. Given she was attending as a friend of Russell and not as a paid appearance, the request seemed reasonable and we complied amiably.

The night saw cocktails, canapes and a huddle of of food bloggers made up of Chocolatesuze, Jenius, Not Quite Nigella and One Bite More. Thank you Darcie from Zing for the launch party invite!

We're quite sure the waitstaff were a little bemused by the waiting army of photographers by the kitchen door, but most were patient and accommodating, and those lamb cutlets? Oh they were good!





Peking duck pancakes






Arancini balls


Lamb cutlets


Mini hamburgers


Scallop ceviche


Roving singer


Beef casserole and mashed potato

The Russell James pop-up gallery is only open until 4pm today (Wednesday) before it closes.



Russell James Pop-Up Gallery at
Customs House Forecourt
31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay, Sydney
(opposite Circular Quay station)

Open 7am-4pm (live artists from 12pm-4pm)
Finishes Wednesday July 8, 2009


View Larger Map