The cover is a classic scene in London, an iconic view of Big Ben theough the arch.
The view from under Westminster Bridge looking west towards the Houses of Parliament.
It was shot using a Sony NEX-3 camera with kit lens, a camera you can pick up on eBay for about £100. I only had my Canon 5D Mk2 DSLR at the time but I needed a small camera to just carry into work, grab a few snapshots as I walked along the Thames to the office. So I borrowed the Sony pocket camera from my wife one morning and thought I’d stop off at that spot. The idea was to get a simple reference shot that I could later go back and shoot properly.
So I went along on a bright sunny day during the rush hour, grabbed a handful of snaps and went off to work. I processed it in Photoshop using, Nik Analogue Efex Pro filter. I love playing with Analogue Efex Pro, I’ve used it countless times on images as I love the old and gritty feeling it gives images. With the cover image I wanted it gritty but at the same time warm and inviting and that’s how it played out.
There was never really any other image considered for the cover, Mick Ryan chose it and it was one of the first images he chose from thousands of mine that he’s been through. It sums up London guidebook to me, gritty but inviting. Instantly recognisable landmark that stands out no matter where you see it.
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