December 14, 2009

London Chess Classic - London Eye

London Chess Classic - London Eye Dec 2009

Two of England’s finest chess players, Nigel Short and Luke McShane, went head to head in a game of blindfold chess in the Merlin Entertainments London Eye before locking horns in the London Chess Classic at Olympia from 8-15 December.


We were commissioned by a new client of ours, PITCH, to officially cover a London Eye Press call & Launch for the London Chess Classic.

Our objectives for the client were to capture creative branded photography of English Grandmasters Nigel Short and Luke McShane playing blindfolded chess in the London Eye, and to achieve press coverage of the images in national and London regional press

We had to ensure that an iconic background of London is captured in the images.

I have a fear of hights, and so being 443ft above the City of London is not my idea of fun - But in saying that. You feel so safe in the Glass Pods, and the view is really breath taking and something not to be missed.

When you are concentrating on doing your job as a Photographer you tend not to notice it as much, but I didn't feel uneasy at all.

Press Release...

For the first time in 25 years the UK will be hosting a world class chess tournament at London Olympia from 8-15 December.

The best chess talent in the world will be up against England’s four leading grandmasters: Nigel Short, Michael Adams, Luke McShane and David Howell. Russian former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and Norwegian Magnus Carlsen are joined by Hikaru Nakamura, aka ‘H-bomb’ for his destructive style of play.

Links...
Pictured above is Norwegian Magnus Carlsen next to his portrait, and Nigel Short & luke McShane playing on London Eye.