Platinum Photography

Dagoberto began playing his guitar in the Casa de la Trova in Holguin, Cuba, in 1944. Sixty years later in 2004 I had the pleasure to sit with him in the same bar on a day to celebra...

The bearded one… in Old Havana. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dramatic changes of 1959 as young adults. They have a strength of...

In the early hours in the Triana district of Seville, a flamenco palmera loses herself to the rhythm. As the tacones beat the floor, the vocalist calls out a lament and the palmera ...

The background, artfully blurred, draws focus entirely on her expressive features. This photograph is a striking portrayal of age, presence, and the quiet dignity of ordinary life, i...

A woman of Santiago de Cuba. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dramatic changes of 1959 as young adults. They have a strength of ch...

Graciela was for many years an institution in Old Havana. Always dressed beautifully, a cigar clamped between her teeth, a grin at the ready. A witness to the Cuban revolution and 50...

A fleeting touch of the lips on a tango dance floor James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the moment. The...

This striking black-and-white photograph of a Bluesman on Beale street in Memphis, Tennessee, captures the essence of timelessness and passion in music. The musician is seated on a w...

Puro is Cuban slang for a cigar… alegria is Spanish for happiness… for Graciela both always seemed essential to her being. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generati...

A moment of joy on the dance floor at the Festival Acadiens et Creoles in 2019 in Lafayette, Louisiana. A senior Southern Gentleman combines strength and tenderness to give his danc...

The gentleman… a man of calm dignity and endessly kind eyes in Old Havana in 2016. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dramatic chan...

A photograph of Mario locked in a harmonious embrace with his trumpet… a moment of magic in a jazz club in New Orleans. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the ...

A frozen morning in the highlands of Scotland and the sun battles to emerge from the mists. James Sparshatt’s black and white landscapes have an ethereal beauty. They are moments w...

Music in Havana is an almost ever present backdrop to life… wandering the streets it is almost as though there is a soundtrack playing to the movie of your life. These school kids we...

A moment of pure joy in Holguín, Cuba, during las Romerias de Mayo festival. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the...

Aodh is a god of the underworld and prince of the Daoine Sidhe in Irish mythology. The crashing waves in this cave made its legend as a gateway to the realm of the Gods entirely u...

Portrait of Elvirio el Dandy. An icon of Old Havana at the turn of the century. His custom of wearing finery has spawned a whole generation of young “Dandies” who hang out on Havan...

On a musical and pleasure seeking pilgrimage… during Las Romerias de Mayo festival in Holguín. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dr...

A man of gentlemany demeanour, content with his cigar. A sentinel watching the world pass amidst the endless sugar cane country of central Cuba. The Spirit of the Revolution serie...

La Linea by James Sparshatt. Romantic photo of tango. Palladium Platinum Print. A line to be crossed… a man leads with strength and tenderness on the tango ...

Havana Café. El Escabeche is a bar about halfway along called Obispo in old Havana. It was late afternoon when the band began to play. Their new lead singer was performing for the fi...

Just after sunrise the mists disburse to reveal a panorama of pagodas stretching across the Bagan valley in Burma. Drifting slowly in the almost imperceptible breeze a flotilla of h...

Te veo… I see you. Matanzas 2005. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dramatic changes of 1959 as young adults. They have a strength ...

Every Sunday afro-Cubans gather in the Callejon de Hammel to play the drums and sing the harsh vocals of rumba. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cuban...

It was Christmas day and we were heading to Santa Maria beach in a hired Cuban school bus about 40 minutes from Centro Havana. The girls of Rumba Morena beg...

El Ensayo (the rehearsal) was taken during the Romerias de Mayo festival in Holguin Cuba. The troupe were preparing for a performance of Afro-Cuban dance...

Double bass player wandering along Santa Elena beach in Cuba James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the m...

The Skellig Islands are off the coast of Kerry in Ireland. Once the home of reclusive monks they have gained notoriety recently as a retreat for Luke Skywalker… Lit by moon light reflected off the Atlantic Ocean swell they portray a calm at odds with the often stormy seas that batter them.. James Sparshatt’s black and white landscapes have an ethereal beauty. They are moments when the natural form of topography is given magic by the transient touch of the elements. The work is also available as a smaller archival giclee print and as a collectors edition Palladium Platinum print. Palladium platinum print Edition of 12 Signed by artist al verso Stamped by 31 Studio – platinum print masters Certificate of Authenticity from gallery Country: County Kerry...

A tobacco farmer from the Viñales valley in Cuba. In 1959 residents of Cuba were faced with a stark choice: stay on their island home and live as a “revolutionary” or leave. Some believed wholeheartedly in the new beginning, some were willing to be carried along and some abandoned everything they had and chose exile. The Buena Vista social club...

The old teacher. When he was young tango was the Argentine dance. Born in the back streets and brothels of Buenos Aires its staccato movements and deep rooted passion were all-consum...

La telaraña or “spider’s web” was taken in a dance school in Santa Clara, Cuba. The dance symbolised the relationship between man and woman… the man flirting, the woman turning away ...

El Principe - the little prince.  The Raphael Trejo gym is an institution of Old Havana. An open air gym that has produced world beating champions from bare-footed initiates.  In 2004 this boy was a star in the making... he went on to win medals in the boxing ring at London, Rio and Tokyo Olympic...

A lady of pure joy… dancing in the Plaza de la Revolucion on May 1st 2001. The Spirit of the Revolution series documents the generation of Cubans that saw the dramatic changes of 19...

Lost in each others embrace… James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the moment. The work is available as...

A woman of vigour and spirit and humour, full of stories, sat on her rocking chair, smoking a cigar, commenting on the world with a word or stream of invective. The Spirit of the Re...

El Paso is an evocative black-and-white photograph that captures the dynamic motion of dancers, focusing on their feet elegantly entwined. The photograph features a blurred effect th...

Every evening on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans groups of young men, the Young Fellaz, create a wall of beautiful noise. Playing their battered brass for all they are worth... a rau...

Aodh's domain, the realm of the celtic God of the underworld. Waves wash into the cave and create a world of mystery. James Sparshatt’s black and white landscapes have an ethereal ...

Just after dawn on the Henderson swamp in Louisiana, with only alligators and storks for company, the hanging moss and primeval cypress trees in calm magnificence. James Sparshatt’s...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits. James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm. They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits. James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm. They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits. James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm. They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. Graciela, an icon of old Havana. It was taken in 2001 on one of James first visits to the island. Rachael’s interpretations bring alive her spirit. These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits. James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm. They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max...

Tsemo Maitreya by James Sparshatt. Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Platinum Print. Ladakh is part of the Tibetan plateau. It has an arid landscape surrounded by awesome peaks. Tsemo...

La Linea by James Sparshatt. Romantic photo of tango. Palladium Platinum Print. A line to be crossed… a man leads with strength and tenderness on the tango ...

Rolling waves crashing against the breakwater in St Monan’s calmed by a long exposure after dark. James Sparshatt’s black and white landscapes have an ethereal beauty. They are mom...

The Nubra Valley is part of the Tibetan plateau. It is an arid landscape surrounded by awesome peaks, a high altitude desert inhabited by a few small Ladakhi communities and their ...

Dreams of a moment… James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the moment. The work is available as silver g...

Dreams of a moment… James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the moment. The work is available as silver g...

A photograph of Mario locked in a harmonious embrace with his trumpet… a moment of magic in a jazz club in New Orleans. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the ...

New Orleans is a mecca for music lovers from around the world. Wandering up Frenchmen Street on a sultry Louisianan evening is to be surrounded by competing sounds vying for attentio...

The last tango of the day en la Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. Puro…Alegría IV is a portrait of Graciela, an icon of old Havana. It was ta...

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell. Graciela, an icon of old Havana. It was taken in 2001 on one of James first visits to the island. Rachael’s interpretations bring alive her spirit. These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits. James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm. They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max...

New Orleans is a mecca for music lovers from around the world. Wandering up Frenchmen Street on a sultry Louisianan evening is to be surrounded by competing sounds vying for attentio...

Just after sunrise the mists disburse to reveal a panorama of pagodas stretching across the Bagan valley in Burma. Drifting slowly in the almost imperceptible breeze a flotilla of h...

A fleeting touch of the lips on a tango dance floor James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the moment. The...

Dancers during the Romerias de Mayo festival in Holguin Cuba. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people lost in the rhythm of the ...

A moment of harmony… male with female, African with Hispanic… joined together in the dance that is Cuba. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and int...

Dancers during the Romerias de Mayo festival in Holguin Cuba. James Sparshatt’s photographs of music and dance capture the emotion and intensity of people los...