The Reality Of Photographing Damon Albarn

This video I interview my Dad, celebrity photographer Harry Borden, on his time photographing Blur. This includes two shoots with the group and some interesting insights into Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Alex James check out Harry's website here: harryborden.com

[@RandallSlick]

Occasionally the algorithm serves up odd gems. So glad I came across this. Fascinating, gentlemen.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thank you! Glad you clicked

[@Jettypilelegs]

Same!

[@madskrabbefotografi]

I really love your channel. As a photographer myself getting bombarded with videos showing the newest camera gear and what to buy and so on, it's nice to see someone doing videos about the behind-the-scenes-thoughts on shoots . Not about all that boring technical stuff that's all over KZbin. What you do is videos that are interesting. Keep it up!

[@fredandharryborden]

Lots of youtube photographers, not enough photographers on youtube! plenty more on the way :)

[@fabiomanic6977]

I met blur in 99. the bassist was a knobhead but the others were actually nice

[@tequilasunset4651]

Nah the drummer seems like a pretty shit person, you should see how he treated Nardwuar.

[@LuciaDeGiovanni]

As a music photographer for decades, I could listen to these stories for hours - thank you for giving us a glimpse of the behind the scenes, I so enjoyed this interview, new subscriber!

[@hadleystirrup8203]

Such a random thing for me to watch but this guy is so articulate and observant, I could listen to him all day.

[@fredandharryborden]

Really kind, thanks a lot!

[@iaingorry]

100% mate! think this guy has been featured in Q or MOJO , they're actually good (mojo) for featuring photographers, and so they should be these guys have the best tales, , , the boys in the band seem to act-up around them especially 90's

[@DD83215]

Fascinating - your father is a very eloquent speaker, he is almost as expressive with words as he seems to be with the medium of photography.

[@louisewilkie-wt7fw]

i absolutely loved select magazine back in the day , so many pictures and pull out pics adorned my bedroom walls in the 90's , those blur photos are beautiful

[@krisinsaigon]

Yeah, Select was great. I remember they did a thing where they went through every song blur ever recorded

[@leftblank]

What a delight this was, the details, the little things about what he was thinking at the time, the film and why things were done. Also the honesty about personal experiences with people. its all in the past now but its lovely to hear. Thank you both!

[@fredandharryborden]

@@leftblank thank you! We have up to date shoots too if that interests you. 😉

[@linksauce_1]

Thanks for sharing these stories. Would love to see a video on Graham!

[@fredandharryborden]

Noted! Its on the list :)

[@Spidermansthirdcousin]

absolutely would love to see this

[@lujanBV]

i love this. love the candids, love your father's voice, love to hear what happens when he speaks about the old days. I also and absolutely love that minute when he explains that he was shooting with an autofocus nikon. it blew my mind in a very good way

[@fredandharryborden]

Very kind. Thank you so much 😊

[@wayneclayton5426]

Dave was in a band called Idol or Idle Vice in Colchester pre Blur. I have dim memories of seeing them play at a mental hospital fund raiser about the mid 80's.

[@fredandharryborden]

Will have to check it out!

[@Drinckx2]

Great pictures and wonderful anecdotal words. Fred is so good at teasing out info - it all works so well.

[@fredandharryborden]

Haha thank you! Glad you enjoy. We prefer doing videos this way

[@purrsandfurrs]

I loved this interview, I can’t remember the last time I watched something uninterrupted. This one had my undivided attention, great flow, great questions.

[@fredandharryborden]

@@purrsandfurrs thank you! ! That's really kind, it means a lot

[@owenwilliams9582]

Thanks guys for another great insight into your shoots, always a great watch. Diolch / Ta...

[@fredandharryborden]

Our pleasure! Thank you :)

[@Lukronius]

7:43 I think this shot is absolute rock n roll perfection with Damon’s head out of view. Not ruined at all, far as I’m concerned. 🙌🏻👌🏻

[@granola.coxon13]

Graham coxon video is needed !

[@richardwall2692]

I met Alex James once, everything you said rings true.

[@weronikazalewska2098]

Can't stand him

[@theshamanarchist5441]

He's a wanker innit?

[@mrsuspend]

@@weronikazalewska2098 He can be quite a brilliant bassist though, fair's fair.

[@iainholmes2735]

I love his bass playing live. It's like tuned thunder.

[@ac9110]

@@mrsuspend 'Entertain Me' Brilliant bit of work.

[@p1xelpusher]

Found the channel by accident and subbed. Fantastic and great to hear the stories. I’m of your generation when you had 36 shots to get it right rather than ‘spray and pray’. Thanks for the content 🙏

[@fredandharryborden]

@@p1xelpusher thanks for the sub! Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@russthebiker]

I reckon a re match is in order !!! I love listening to Harry, his diction and use of words is a thing of joy, plus he is bloody talented !

[@kingfield99]

Great interview! I shot Damon for Q years back and I found the trick was to engage him in some 'non-music' convo. Luckily my assistant at the time knew his then girlfriend and they were working on a project together so I had that as an 'in'.

[@pookachu64]

So the 90s then?

[@Con-Man1993]

​@pookachu64 No cause he would've just said Justine. He worked for Q I'm pretty sure he knows who Elastica are 😂

[@claretbadger]

Assisted on a shoot with Damon just after COVID Was weary before the “talent” arrived, as heard many first hand stories that were red flags - as it was he was a sweetie - and actually quite vulnerable. Great channel - with some useful background information for us that chose this stupid path . . .

[@fredandharryborden]

Harry shot him years later for something around the London Olympics and I think he was much more pleasant then. We plan to do a video on that shoot too! And your last line made me laugh, thanks for the comment :)

[@claretbadger]

@@fredandharryborden as someone who actually gets to do this professionally albeit at a lowlier level it’s a privilege and a curse

[@rockitabnormal]

Damon has softened as he’s aged. less to prove, less competitive (but still competitive). glad to hear this testament. thanks for sharing!

[@jubeaumont6305]

Awww Everybody feel sorry for the vulnerable multi millionaire 'Girls & boys' is a shit song too

[@bencastor9207]

​@@rockitabnormal most men do as testosterone levels drop, he's not becoming a better person he's just incapable of being as much of a prick as he was before.

[@krg1965]

So happy to have found you by serendipity. This is my first video of yours and I've instantly subscribed. I used to shoot bands live in another age, so it's fascinating to hear about that time and the other side of band photography. I got a warm glow when you mentioned that Scotch 640T - I used it for a couple of charity fashion shows and loved it, I've never heard anyone else mention using it. As other people have said, I really enjoy the human story of what it is to be a photographer (with a bit of tech, for sure) to express your art and where it comes from. I think the reason I only ever shot concerts is that I could never 'make' a picture, I could only 'take' what was happening in front of me. I guess the difference between a snapper and a photographer... It's fascinating and I'm about to spend some happy time enjoying your other videos. Thank you both, you're a great team putting these videos together.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thank you, really kind comment. It means a lot! Hope you keep enjoying the vids

[@audioupgrades]

The pool hall shoot looks amazing. I don't think it would be possible to replicate the visual signature of those images today.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thanks! I actually prefer them to the second photoshoot. They have an energy about them.

[@legrandmaitre7112]

Being a bit of an Essex lad and a former art student - I can tell you with some authority that Damon's father Keith Albarn was a bully, quite a nasty piece of work. He was head of Colchester School of Art. I've never met Damon, some friends of mine have.

[@louisephillips4244]

Keith Albarn was my neighbour, and a delight to know. A very kind man.

[@JackDarcy-vl8rq]

He was a complete cunt and was thrown out of the neighbourhood watch. You were the only one that voted against​@@louisephillips4244

[@Prisoner7777]

Keith Albarn repaired my bicycle

[@adexterwolfe]

Keith Albarn once bought me a bag of maltesers

[@seventyeight4237]

Keith Albarn once ate my mango.

[@PeterBondeVillain]

Thank you so much for this! Very fascinating. I would love to hear more of Harry's thoughts on Damon

[@andriyurenov7215]

What a wonderful format! Cheers for this, so cool and educational at the same time

[@niyanlan8928]

I went to the preview of the first Icelandic film made by his wife. He got up and presented the whole thing - arrogant yes but Damon was also very confident, articulate, creative and very generous with his time. Can certainly understand how it must’ve been pretty annoying for a photographer though 🙂. Really love your channel and more interviews like this pls!

[@BellaRainDrops]

This was really interesting as a teen of the 90s and huge Blur fan :D New sub here.

[@albano.garcia]

Enjoying all ypur videos! Keep em coming!

[@fredandharryborden]

Thank you!

[@apocryphal_man]

Very interesting. And yes - guitarists ARE the coolest. Someone needed to put it out there, thanks 😜

[@JonAttaway]

Really enjoyed this, thanks for taking the time!

[@ivanvasilev2092]

More, please! And thank you!

[@tomcat7525]

Number 10! I hope Larry The Cat will be included. He has such an attitude 😼

[@King-Kazma]

Who else would he be photographing at that address?

[@Velobetty]

Really enjoyed this video talking about a lot of the images that have been part of the culture of my life. Thanks!

[@fredandharryborden]

Wow thanks! Appreciate the kind comment and thanks for watching.

[@joedonohoe22]

Great video! Really enjoying the candid recollections and insights.

[@fredandharryborden]

More to come, thank you for the comment!

[@troygaspard6732]

The power of slide film. These photos could inspire future analog photographers. They are superb.

[@fredandharryborden]

That's really kind - thank you! Glad you enjoyed. :)

[@sadshoe]

those first set are amazing

[@fredandharryborden]

I think so too, they are so warm and I feel they are really telling of the moment

[@MattLarkham-nx5uu]

Just stumbled across this, great interview and great photographs of a great band at a great time!

[@MattLarkham-nx5uu]

We may be going through an Oasis revival but Blur were the thinking mans choice, Blur were the Artists

[@c.okeain]

Please a Graham video!!

[@TheDantheman12121]

Great video. I was not looking for it but found myself listening intently.

[@shadowside8433]

You are an excellent photographer. Great work. If Blur were bored with the press BEFORE Parklife, then heaven knows what they were like after that!

[@stephen3511]

Very interesting insights. Great to see these pool hall photos, too. Incidentally, Graham comes across as the most pleasant of the four.

[@TRKJSR]

This was interesting to hear, thanks for putting it together

[@fredandharryborden]

@@TRKJSR glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!

[@Ukedc259]

Fab Coxon images towards the end. Fantastic.

[@hummingawayawayaway]

So glad I stumbled across this channel! What an articulate man and personable stories and lovely little vignettes from this photoshoot - LOVE this!

[@fredandharryborden]

Thanks a lot! Glad you are enjoying the videos and plenty more on the way :)

[@Dan-zr5em]

Fantastic pictures, great to hear the stories behind them.. so many great photographers are unsung heroes so it's pretty fascinating to watch your content and put them into context, particularly when many shots were pre digital and the art of photography required another level of knowledge to that of today.

[@petemc5070]

Such a pleasure to hear these reminiscences. Liking the set of solo shots of the band at 13:57 and Coxon at 16:07.

[@fredandharryborden]

I love that coxon shot. Thanks for the comment :)

[@mynewcolour]

No photo says ‘difficult to work with’ more than the ‘failed’ pool table, group shot with Damon out of frame!

[@fredandharryborden]

Very frustrating!

[@lilacbuni]

I guess he was just a blur 😭

[@asassynation9955]

@@lilacbuniNow we know where the name comes from! 😂

[@andymcgarty3099]

How is 1993 Thirty years ago? That can't be right. Great images, interesting video.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@Dreyno]

31 years ago. Sorry ☹️

[@ddimento8790]

liked the colour images with burnt paint backdrop. Funnily enough it was one of the things our college tutor, who worked with Harry in IPG, mentioned-his uncanny ability to find great backdrops. I always liked the b+w Blur image with the pole dividing it. Much harder to manage group dynamics than with an individual. Has Harry ever had a shoot where a celeb walked off after two frames or something, or maybe refused completely to be photographed? Keep em comin' as always, cheers from Ireland.

[@harryborden6077]

Marianne Faithfull gave me about 6 frames! ;-)

[@ddimento8790]

@@harryborden6077 anxiety inducing. Hope you got something you and the magazine were happy with

[@harryborden6077]

@@ddimento8790 Just about...a nother video I reckon...

[@ddimento8790]

@@harryborden6077 great, look forward to it. Cheers, D

[@nixie575]

1:51 no way… that was you?? I love that photoshoot! I even have one of the photos on the rotation for my iphone wallpaper

[@siferre]

I'm in for the Graham video 🎉🎉🎉

[@el0blaino]

Great conversation!

[@merchantofthepeople]

really enjoying this type of content! such a priviledge to hear these stories.

[@tinjadog]

Sharing this with a young friend who has taken up real film photography. Thank you!

[@joelfildes5544]

Great stuff…but you also seem to have borrowed Coxon’s favourite T-shirt too ! (His solo albums are fantastic).

[@johnny5805]

It's a nice coincidence that you mentioned the glasses. Because i've been going round opticians with a screengrab of Harry, asking if they have frames like his. No luck. Where did Harry get his frames ? What brand are they ?

[@fredandharryborden]

We actually had planned to do a video about his glasses and his shoot with Bill Nighy who happened to have the same ones - They are from Cutler and Gross but I think these ones are from the 60s!

[@global001]

I used to live in the tenement housing in Beaufort St where that photo was taken. There are 4 buildings in the estate. The seats a very distinctive. I was studying photography & graphic design at Central St Martins. The Bluebird studio became the an upmarket restaurant. Good times. I agree with going into a shoot with a visual brief but of it doesn't work go with what's available.

[@fredandharryborden]

Small world! Nick (harry's brother) actually studied at CSM as well - Thanks for commenting :)

[@global001]

@@fredandharryborden Very small world! Worlds spinning and occasionally colliding. 90’s & 2000’s were incredible, raw times. Did you inherit the creative genes too? Thanks for your videos. Look forward to seeing more.

[@terryhope2074]

Chromaline - haven't heard that word in a while. But a quick google says they are still going. Great video as usual. Wish I had taken more time to talk to my Dad.

[@Robutube1]

There are a lot of us who wish that Terry. Our job now is to encourage those who still can.

[@vanessaverron1025]

When I first started as a graphic designer in a publishing company, chromaline were the gold standard

[@theshamanarchist5441]

Graham got that look (NHS glasses) from Tim Roths character in the Mike Leigh film, Meanwhile.

[@ST4RSH4PED]

painfully accurate

[@darz_k.]

@@ST4RSH4PED ...even the part where he got the name of the film wrong?

[@ollyf5088]

You mean Meantime. I think maybe Damon and Graham used to assume the roles of Gary Oldman and Tim Roth respectively watching their personas at the time. They have said they were big fans of the film.

[@gregorybrown3792]

Interesting. Morrissey also wore NHS glasses early on in the Smith's career.

[@deathkampdrone]

It's really kind of amazing that Damon is so photogenic and such a brilliant genius at the same time. Must be every photographers dream to have a subject that isn't only looks but has depth and is generally superior as a creator. I would feel like whoa, this is a great photo AND it will be remembered too. Great insight, thank you!

[@NativeAmazonian]

Great video! I loved hear this story as a fan of the band

[@jimmysaville9202]

What a small world. 1993, I was a 10 year old kid I used to go to that same snooker hall on Union street in Plymouth with my mates. Through the large car park at the back and up the dingy starcaise at the back. 'arite beys' the fat guy at the bar/reception would greet us with. I think it was like £1.25 for an hour or something like that.

[@RMedich]

Very interesting! I need to know more about the Hutch photo on the wall though. That man fascinates me and I don’t know why. I wasn’t around for INXS.

[@fredandharryborden]

Defo on the list for future vids! Thanks for the comment 😁

[@tomcat7525]

Ah I knew I had a copy of Select with Blur & Damon Albarn, just found it but its from 1991.

[@williekay62]

I use to use that Scotch film for theartre photography back in the 80s/90s.

[@Ukedc259]

Yes to a Coxon vid. V interesting chap.

[@Farnhamification]

The Nikon SLR shots are amazing. Please speak more about the set up

[@fredandharryborden]

@Harryborden - one for Harry to answer!

[@frankphotography8470]

Would love to see more of this, fascinating stuff

[@ollyf5088]

I had your photos from the second select shoot blu tac’d on my wall when I was 14 🙈 great days cheers

[@harryborden6077]

That great to hear 😊

[@colingerard7863]

Hi Fellas. I look forward to seeing Harry's pictures of Larry the cat :-) The film stock you used reminded me of GAF500. Didn't COLORS magazine do a feature when they changed peoples skin colour: Arnie, Spke Lee, The Queen? I think Harry has the, Swifty Lazar, kinda look with his glasses. I adore contact sheets, does Harry have a series somewhere about some of his and the stories behind them? Lewis Morley's of, Christine Keeler, and Arnold Newman's of, Stravinsky, at the piano with the crop marks come to mind. Graham Coxon smoking a cigarette was my favourite picture in this video because it captured a moment. It is a timeless image. Enjoy the rest of your week.

[@fredandharryborden]

Agree with the Graham Coxon image being my favourite! I don't know about the COLORS magazine feature.. will do some googling haha - sign of the times i guess

[@actionimagesphotography]

Love the images and the stories. Real life!

[@fredandharryborden]

Thank you! 😁

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Always fascinating. Thank you.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thanks, 😁

[@ppgedez]

I really like that Michael Hutchence photo hanging on the wall. Great upload

[@harryborden6077]

Maybe we'll do something on that shoot soon? 🤔

[@KevMcc-c2b]

Oof that choice of words 😬

[@ppgedez]

@@KevMcc-c2b 😂 With with hindsight i could have phrased that slightly better.

[@Gordon.Pinkerton]

Thought that's who it might be so thanks for the confirmation!

[@janehicks2266]

Would love to hear any stories on The Smiths

[@robertfairer]

Really enjoying all your videos!

[@fredandharryborden]

Glad you like them! Thanks 😁

[@aprofondir]

12:45 I've noticed that Damon always takes the piss out of Alex and is quite dickish towards him in interviews. Seems like many find him annoying!

[@kunpunko]

i don’t blame him.

[@Britpop-Tribute-Band]

Enjoyable listen. Thanks. Andy from Britpop Reunion.

[@KrystianFractal]

I'm a big fan of Anton Corbijn and Depeche Mode. Love all his works. Except of Think Tank and Damon's collabs with 3D I'm not a big fan of Blur but your photos look amazing Sir. Better than rest of Blur band play instuments. Best regards.

[@wilf9356]

Give us that Video on Graham!

[@fredandharryborden]

On the list! Thanks for the comment

[@andrewshore262]

Interesting - I always thought it must be difficult working with well known people, fame destroys normality which of course is why we find it fascinating when somebody pulls back the old curtain, for a big dose of truth!

[@kennymcleish]

Nice. I find it quaint that you still use ASA instead of ISO for film speed :-)

[@fredandharryborden]

Old school 😁

[@StuBobsGhost]

Another really interesting video. Ta.

[@fredandharryborden]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@jamesoakley3952]

Another great video! As always thanks for sharing. I'm assuming you're taking the official portrait of Downing Streets new cat?

[@harryborden6077]

Lol 😂

[@faz-io]

omg that retouch idea 😱

[@fredandharryborden]

mental suggestion haha

[@riv9517]

i've been downloading and reverse searching tons of damon pics for a programming project at uni (no ai) like a maniac these days, yet the pub photoshoot remains being my favorite one so i'm REALLY glad and lucky the algorythm got me here!!! i really like his politeness whether he's talking from admiration or some slight distaste, if that makes sense. plus i find the comment on alex being annoying because of him being yet another case of beautiful people not developing a personality so funny and not surprising at all, and makes me wonder how a person like him is like to be photographed these days

[@hannahshipman]

We do indeed like this video! More, please!

[@MarkRobertDaveychannel]

Another really interesting insight to how you go about a shoot.

[@LowKeyTired-q7d]

Great vid bro. I do enjoy blur. Loved them when I was in school, low key.

[@weavehole]

That same mix of serendipity and a good eye gave us a similar shot with a column in Breaking Bad iirc

[@StopTheRot]

Coxon is my guitar hero. Has been for 30 years. Genius.

[@jamiew1664]

What is your highest break at snooker?? You said you got quite good. id love to know

[@fredandharryborden]

I'll ask him!

[@fredandharryborden]

He said its 48 in a match!

[@jamiew1664]

@@fredandharryborden thats not too bad at all. respect. if you can get a 48 break at snooker then thats certainly a skill level that you can walk into most pubs and hold the table for ages before being beaten. if not all night!

[@p1xelpusher]

Ha just heard the word Cromalin for the first time in years, Kodak had a similar system call Matchprint. Spent more hours than I care to remember producing those when I started in the analog days.

[@dolleee]

Cant expect them to be nice when there's Alcohol and drugs 😅,thankfully you got some wonderful shots at the end👍

[@fredandharryborden]

Haha very true! Thanks for the comment :)

[@Pauldjreadman]

I remember select magazine.

[@StuffnSuch]

Plus one for the Graham Coxen video 👍

[@LeoGladmanMusic.]

What did he do?

[@nigelsmith9053]

I was at Plymouth ‘92 - ‘95, going to many of the student indie nights at the clubs on Union Street. I remember a Blur / Pool / Select piece and the only specific thing I can recall is some text where one of Blur (not Damon) misses a shot and Damon replies along the lines of “yeah, that was really special” in a sarcastic tone. I’m going to have to go internet mining now……..

[@timothy790110]

obstreperous and bellicose, well that's 2 new words i learnt today!

[@humanrays]

I was gonna make a comment like this too lol.

[@Dreyno]

Truculent. That’s another one you might like.

[@ef7480]

Imagine if google synonyms wasn't available. He should have maybe used 'vociferous' or 'rambunctious'. Perceived intellect should always be approached with strong interestedness.

[@Dreyno]

@@ef7480 What impact would a lack of Google synonyms be? Are you suggesting people don’t have vocabulary out in the wild? That everyone needs to Google a word to find a synonym? Everyone except you, I presume is the insinuation?

[@ef7480]

Point missed. Never mind

[@stephenaskew4346]

Plymouth College of Art? Certainly have fond memories of that establishment.

[@fredandharryborden]

Thats the one!

[@walpolekidscomics879]

Watching from Australia and suddenly ears spark up at union Street in Plymouth 😂