SMH Article: What Sydney can learn from London's approach to brutalist architecture / November 16, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

"Sirius, just like Trellick, Balfron and the Barbican in London, illustrates important aspects of the nation's social and cultural history."Last week I had an opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald on brutalist architecture in Sydney and London.

'In Drowned Concrete': photobook with Saal Digital / November 10, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

A couple of weeks ago Saal Digital asked me to review one of their book products. Eager to start seeing some of my images in print, it was a great chance for me to self-publish quickly and easily without the hassle of understanding the ins and outs of graphic design and printing.

Conversation with London artist Lorna May Wadsworth / November 9, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

I sat down with East London based figurative painter Lorna May Wadsworth to talk about her studio space, gentrification and the future of artists in the city.

From screen to street: the photography project putting imagery in the public eye / October 31, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Photographer Nicholas Gascoine spent his mid 20's in New York City. There, he would work alongside some of the most prominent fashion photographers, often flying to exotic locations. Re-establishing himself back in the sunny country, Nick has embarked upon a new project in a move to take photography away from the private sphere of one’s screen and into the public realm.

Branded Kings Cross / October 19, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Hanging out in London’s Kings Cross's Granary Square recently, I was eating lunch away from the busy-ness of some of the city’s more hectic neighbourhoods. But I couldn’t help to notice that even in this more relaxed ‘public space’, I was bombarded with branding. I decided to I grab my camera and started shooting.

Cycling from London to Paris / September 28, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

My friend James and I decided that we were going to cycle to Paris... Wasting little time um-ming and ah-hing, we decided to plan for the fastest route (London-Newhaven-Dieppe-Forges-Les-Eaux-Pontiose-Paris) and a couple of weeks later we were off. Here's a quick run down with a few black and white snaps taken along the way.

Photographing for Sydney's Neighbourhood Paper / July 24, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Before leaving Sydney I did a few photography shoots for Sydney’s new 'Neighbourhood Paper'. I was called out to take portraits of super interesting people, including a restaurant owner in Darlinghurst, the editor in chief of South East Asia’s Mekong Review, who is based in the Sydney suburbs of Leichhardt, and a beautiful young lady named Joanna Rix - an aspiring actor with Down's syndrome.

London calling / July 24, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

A few weeks ago I made the trip from Sydney back to London. Since returning, I’ve also made some pretty career decisions... I’ve left my old job as an urban planner and for a short period of time I'll be building skills by assisting fashion and portrait photographer, Diana Gomez.

Photographing for #WeLiveHere2017 / April 11, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Over the last few weeks, I've been shooting documentary photos for the #WeLiveHere2017 campaign. Each day I've been visiting the neighbourhood of Waterloo in central Sydney to document the people who live there. I've been taking their portraits, as well as asking them a few questions about their connection with the neighbourhood.

Sydney, it's time to face your addiction / April 10, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

The New South Wales Government is desperate. It ignores ongoing advice from friends, family and experts to seek alternatives. It fights all obstacles in its path for more. It cares only for the short-lived gratification, euphoria and high, to the detriment of healthy decades ahead. I guess when life feels is so good right now, why would it care?

A conversation with Jess Cook of Sydney's 107 Projects / March 31, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Jess Cook has been involved in a range of events and creative projects over the last 15 years. From running collaborative art exhibitions and managing large-scale festivals, her latest endeavour is arguably her most ambitious. As Managing Director of Sydney’s 107 Projects, she’s been integral in creating an impressive cultural space in central Sydney. I met with Jess to check out 107 and talk to her about creative spaces, more generally.

Reminding Sydney of Seidler / March 15, 2017 by Tom Oliver Payne

Harry Seidler's architecture is a reminder that buildings are not just a commodity, but should seek – at the very least - to improve a city, and the wellness of the people within it.