Sir Cam's photostream  

History Faculty, University of Oxford. Used to be the Indian Institute. Note: In Oxford, not Cambridge:-)

Clare College, University of Cambridge. Sorry, not around much. A quick shot with my iPhone as I rushed past here the other day. I was really surprised that people didn't seem to see this. Even photographers! Look around: up, down, left, right, and don't forget to look behind you:-)

Thank you for viewing, and for your comments and faves.

Senate House, University of Cambridge. Image of Professor Steven Hawking, who turns 70 on January 8, projected on to the building during the University's 800th Anniverary Light Show.

Check out his website: www.hawking.org.uk/

Congratulations to Matthew Moss, pictured right, who has been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in the Queen's New Years Honours 2012. Matthew is the private secretary of Cambridge University’s Vice-Chancellor.

This uncropped photo was taken during an honorary degree ceremony at the University's Senate House back in June 2010. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who was the Chancellor of the University at the time, is pictured in the centre of the composition with Matthew looking across the image. I deliberately did not focus on Prince Philip, but on the thoughtful looking character on the right.

There is absolutely no need to always emphasise the main attraction. Of course, it was tempting and exciting just to focus on Prince Philip and the people around him, the Mayor of Cambridge, the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, and other dignitaries. That would have been too easy. One also needs to react quickly to such moments. Fumble around and the moment is gone.

One advantage of being a photo-diarist is that I have the luxury of selecting my targets! This photo was not going to the media; it wasn't meant for the page of any newspaper. Look, I've sat on it since June 2010. Matthew was my target. I wanted to show his role in all this: the unfocussed background is the background to this human story.

While everyone is busy with the thrill of the public ceremony, people such as Matthew play a part in ensuring things run smoothly. There he is, file in hand, looking a bit tense and focussed elsewhere. What is he thinking? Who or what is he looking at? Where is the VC? What time does the procession begin? Where the hell is Sir Cam:-)

I admire such super-efficient people who make it so easy for the rest of us. Surely, you know people like this. And they are usually in the background, invisible, just doing their job. The role of photographers should sometimes be to focus on those in the background without actually focussing on the background.

I'm lucky to have the opportunity to make such observations and I intend to continue with even more vigour in 2012. Happy New Year!

King's College, Univerity of Cambridge. While queuing for the Christmas Eve service, a Festival of Nine lessons and Carols, at the Chapel yesterday we had this surprise treat as members of the choir came along:-)

An exclusive for all my Twitter ( @camdiary) and Flickr contacts!

More on the service: www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html

More images and videos in this University set (live tweets yesterday): www.flickr.com/photos/cambridgeuniversity/sets/7215762855...