Photo news for Cambridge Photographer Phil Mynott over 30 years of Professional experience producing quality photo imaging

Ice Cold in Suffolk ... deep in the forest where no one could hear my screams!

Despite the heart stopping sudden cold shock I exceeded my 100 second target by a massive 29seconds including an unexpected full body immersion.

Much respect to all British Military personnell who undergo cold water river crossings after my baptism to the drill with a scaled down taster session in the low temperature c's cold River Wissey Spring waters this morning proceeded and followed by a fast yomp through Thetford Forest.

My contribution to Captain Tom Moores Charity challenge 100 was to raise funds for Melanoma Focus- a Cambridge based skin cancer charity , funding research and support for patients. A cancer from which my wife Jane died from. Jane's Skin Cancer was unavoidable due to inherited genes - but majority of skin cancer is preventable if awareness of the importane of UV protection is understood whenever outdoors.

You can sponsor me via click here

Every individual who donates will be as a big thank you for your generosity, granted access to an exclusive photo audio montage - where you will be able to hear my screams, view my agony and listen to some great survival and life insights from Singlehanded Survivor who kindly organised the venture.

Also thank you to Total Relaxation for post dip after care.

You can watch and listen to an audio and [b]photo montage here

I agree not great quality from a pro photographer for a self portrait ! in my defence I took it at the start of a freezing water familariaty session for this weekend's Capt Tom Moore 100 Challenge .. as I dred water and wimp in the cold it makes sense that I tackle a cold water river crossing under the supervison of Kirk Bowett - Single Handed Survivor

I'm aiming to raise funds for the Cambridge based Melanoma Focus chairty - it supports all things to do with Skin Cancer - reaserch and patient support.

As you most of my contacts will be aware of it was the type of Cancer which last August killed my business partner and wife Jane , yet thanks to superb research, a cracking good pharma clinical trial, excellent surgeons over seen by Dr Pippa Corrie's team at Addenbrooke's we were gifted an extra 5 years of quality life to enjoy with Jane. Jane's type was genetic so currently unavoidable but most skin cancer can be avoided - and fun in the sun can still be enoyed - if the simple pratice of protecting one's self from harmful UV rays are taken.

I'm happy to chat to any of my media contacts about all the topics mentioned here to help raise the issue of skin protection and prevention of skin cancer.

If you wish to sponsor me than please do by clicking here

I'm so looking forward to my show this weekend on Lexicon radio 9am - Noon Saturday and Sunday .. it's going to be a happy broadcast ..

Because I get to share with you for the first time the recorded words spoken by Jane my late wife who died last August as a result of Skin Cancer on why clinical research and drug trials are important to offer improved extended quality of life.

I get to tell you about my Captain Tom Challenge 100 fund raiser for Melanoma Focus with the organisastions new CEO Susannah Daniels who urges us all to get behind the Captain Tom Challenge 100.

Plus in this week’s ‘Teenage Picks’ armchair TV and radio pop fan Elaine takes us back to the years of 1982, ‘83 and ’85 to trace the career of Duran Duran.

The Voice of Cycling Phil Liggett and @emilycherry of Bikeability join me Behind the Lexicon Radio Bike Shed to chat about the £2 Billion package announced for UK cycling, buses and walking

Plus I chat with Lucy Milazzo about my photo assingments covering visits by HRH Duke of Edinburgh


You can help me fund raise for Melanoma Focus by clicking here

End of an era .. many happy memories of HRH Duke of Edinburgh photo assingments over the years ... having been told to 'Bugger off" numerous times , has since allowed me to say to others " I've been insulted by more high profile folk than you". Great times shadowing him around Cambridge - by push bike alongside the much missed Tim Holt We once tied photo copied royal standards on our bike baskets! - HRH in his limo.

A Controversial individual for sure but without doubt a true support to the Monarch who knew his role. I will always be indebted to the man for my professional career of 40 plus years as a direct result of particpation on the Duke of edinburgh Award scheme.

He loved his IPA , while others drank the champagne , so I will raise a glass this evening.

September 1940 was the hardest time for the Battle of Britain pilots. The contrails of many a dog fight - recreated in this photo above North Cambridge by the Global Stars Air Display pilots- were common place in the skies above England during that summer of 1940. I got to witness this last week, whilst on a shoot and standing with a group of teenagers I was waiting to photograph for an unrelated assingment.

This shot taken early one saturday morning in January 2003 on Cambridge Market square is one my favourite, of many, photographs I took of Allan Brigham who has sadly passed away. Allan, a local legend. first came to fame as a Sheffield University graduate whom became a road sweeper when he moved to Cambriodge. Also a much respected Local Historian who focused on Cambridge Town rather than the University, a One time winner of a 'Golden broom' - awarded to UK best Toilet attendants or Road Sweepers , and most importantantly a dedicated trade unionist who was much admired by his fellow Cambridge City street Service work mates and management alike. I spent many happy hours with him whenever we met on the streets of Cambridge over the last 4 decades chewing the cud - I remember fondly Lion Yard security asking Allan and myself to move on as we were causing a people jam with an ever increasing group of passing friends who had stopped to join in our banter! If ever an individual has encompassed both Town & Gown then Allan was that person. Sitting in his garden last summer, we had gently agreed to record a series of photographs and podcasts of his many historical walking talking tours once he felt up to it - but alas ongoing circumstances had made that impossible for him. One memorable time, of many, was when Allan curated and my business partner wife Jane ( who passed away last month) designed and subbed a set of panels celebrating 100 years of Cambridge street cleaning and refuse collections. Two people whom, alsa have both died far too young , and in their own ways very much Cambridge people, I will miss dearly.

I'm fast becoming an expert in social distancing-themed photo shoots ... such as at this inspirational public art installation unveiling event. Social distancing is an important element of all photo assignments currently. It's essential to demonstrate that your brand is implementing correct protocol, not just for image but because none of us want to spread or catch Coronavirus. I take my responsibilites as a professional photographer seriously and at all times ensure that shoots are following current guidelines to the letter and - just as importantly - that everybody involved is comfortable and feels safe at all times.

The unveiling was of the first public art at Anstey Way in Trumpington, Cambridge. Incorporating the humble Maris Piper potato is pure genius. The artwork, part of the ‘Resonance-Cambridge’ project, is just one piece of an extensive programme of commissioning by #CambridgeInvestmentPartnership (CIP) across its developments.

A Picnic table can't change its stripes ... until the sun moves on

Profound observation art installation about releasing your inner child ... or lost property placed , by a kindly person, so that it may be reunited with young owner?

Apprently the sky is appearing bluer as less pollution with a lot of our planet earth in lockdown ... perhaps that is why it did seem crystal clear overhead today.

In episode 3 of his PHoGaN series for Photography at Home Garden or Neighbourhood I share more of my photo know-how, tips and advice on how to improve your photographer skills - whatever your camera phone camera, DLSR, compact or mirrorless - helping all of us to make the best of self-isolation. In this episode, we focus on capturing flowers in close up, set a photo challenge for all the family - whether at home, in the garden or on your daily exercise around your neighbourhood. Plus we showcase some of your most recent submitted photographs from our viewers for the shadow, colour and garden photo challenges Phil set you in the previous films. You can view the video here

As the only skill I have to offer in this current situation is photography knowledge, from 2pm today I'm going to start hosting regular free photo tips, hints and know-how sessions live on Facebook - similar to what I do from time to time as a so-called "expert" on BBC local radio and other media outlets. The sessions will, hopefully, be fun and provide a little relief and stimulation in these days of self-isolation.

Each session will include a photo challenge and perhaps may even provide some extra curricular activities for families - today at 2pm via facebook live click here

I’ve captured many entertaining and informative talks during my four decades as a professional photographer and one of the most recent - the Clare Hall-hosted Tanner Lectures – is well worth a listen if you use social media or the internet! Presented by Harvard’s Prof Jonathan Zittrain, ‘Gaining Power, Losing Control’ focuses on the broad subject of how technology interacts with the relationship between society, internet and social media.

In the photograph is Prof Zittrain, David Ibbetson, President of Clare Hall, and respondents Dr Stephen Cave, Prof Martin Rees and Prof Sophia Roosth. You can view the full lectures here. Alternatively, I've found that it also makes a great podcast if you let it run in background.

A couple of the many proof sheets from last month's holiday review of Oak Tree Cottages, Norfolk for Dog Friendly magazine. Cold, damp winter weather contrasted nicely with the warm, bright accommodation and welcome.

Royal Air Force standard bearers pay respects to former RAF pilot Sir Michael Marshall. It was a great honour to be asked to provide the photo reportage coverage for Sir Michael's life celebration service at Ely Cathedral. Family business leader, stalwart charity supporter and a champion of Cambridge, Sir Michael led an extraordinary life. I first photographed him in 1981 when I was starting out on my photography career and have since photographed Sir Michael many times. Thank you to Sir Michael's family for kindly allowing me to post this photo.

I concede that a close-up shot of construction site safety and security fencing is not at the top of most photographers’ location wishlists. For me, the projected shadow on the surface of the material covering the fence was the big draw. It creates a gentle, shimmering and contrasting mood to what is basically an everyday abstract shape. The rhythmical lines of the metal fencing have been distorted in their shadow form by a low winter sun shining on to the surface of the loose fitting material, creating a criss cross pattern of distorted shadow lines. A shallow depth of field helps to exploit the composition with the background winter trees against the blue sky, adding another layer of contrast.

I was distracted by the beautiful lighting of this composition during a recent unconnected photo shoot on a National Trust farm in Cambridgeshire and just had to return once the assignment was completed to capture it for my own 'artistic' satisfaction. Its simplicity in form is enhanced by the space around the main point of focus - the machinery. I composed the image so that the trees in the background encourage the viewer's gaze to draw towards the top of the conveyor belt - asking you to decide if it carries on skywards or drops down to earth. The machine - which is side lit - appears almost abstract, thanks to the soft, low winter sun. Sitting isolated in the landscape, it begs the question: has it been abandoned to gently decay or will it be called upon again to assist in future harvests when seasons dictate? The middle background band of mist helps to remove detail which would distract from the foreground.

Enjoed a live on air photo chat with Jeremy Sallis on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Lunchtime Live show was a festive edition and included why my favourite portrait photo of 2019 is Evgenia Arbugaeva's stunning front cover shot of teen climate activist Greta Thunberg in Time magazine. I also gave a few top photo tips for when using mobile camera phones, DSLR or mirrorless cameras, on how best to capture the contrast of bright lights surrounded by winter darkness and celebrating light on a winter night - such as this shot here of a vehicle's rear brake lights reflected on a wet pavement.

Here's a shot from a pleasurable photo session with actor Hugh Laurie, who was installed this weekend as an honorary fellow at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

He was a student at the college from 1978-1981 and during his time in Cambridge he took part in the Boat Race and started his writing and comedy partnership with Stephen Fry.

As it was a winter evening and dark outside the chapel, and with time being limited, setting up lighting was not an option. I opted to shoot ambient light to ensure as much background detail was captured in this 'Hogwarts'-like setting.

Hugh said: “There are very few things as solidly fixed in my life as Selwyn – emotionally, artistically, architecturally and academically. It’s remarkable to return and I am truly honoured to be an honorary fellow.”

It's well worth making the effort to wrap up warm and get out and about with your camera on a foggy or misty morning to make the most of the usually short-lived, atmospheric photo oppourtunities. Distances between nearby objects appear exaggerated as fog and mist result in visually bringing to the fore our view of any outdoor landscape. Such was the case this morning over a lake in my neighbourhood park.