Fashion photographer Nick Knight has collaborated with American Express to create his first real-time photography exhibition hosted on Twitter. Leaving the studio and taking to the streets of the capital, Nick set out to capture photos of the hidden inspiration he sees in the places he passes every day, shared in real time via @AmexUK. The exhibition uncovers the hidden beauty in these unexpected places - including city gardens and urban habitats to help people realise the full potential of London. Vice President Brand and Communications, American Express, Melissa Weber says, “The cities we live in are brimming with potential, although we may only appreciate a fraction of what they have to offer. As a fashion photographer, Nick has consistently challenged conventional notions of beauty. We’ve challenged him to re-imagine his commute to work and take a look at other sides to London, in the hope that they inspire others to realise the potential of their city.”

Press Release

A hard day’s Knight: Photographer Nick Knight captures London in a one day real-time urban photography exhibition

World renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight collaborates with American Express to create #MySecretCity, his first real-time photography exhibition hosted live from London on Twitter.

Leaving the studio and taking to the streets of the capital, Nick set out to capture photos of the hidden inspiration he sees in the places he passes every day, shared in real time via @AmexUK.

The exhibition uncovers the hidden beauty in these unexpected places - including city gardens and urban habitats, brutalist architecture and metropolitan playgrounds to help people realise the full potential of London.

Commenting on the locations visited during the shoot, Nick Knight says:

Telescopic View of St. Paul's

“There's a telescope at the highest point in Richmond Park on King Henry's Mound, a Neolithic barrow, from which there is a protected view of St. Paul's Cathedral. A real fairy-tale view of London.”

Wild Flowers

“Over the last few years our local Council has cultivated areas of wild flowers which look so joyous and delicate, plus they attract a myriad of butterflies and brighten my day whenever I pass.” 

Chiswick House

“Designed by William Kent and completed in 1729, the building introduces Palladian style architecture and the concept of the English Landscape Garden style of "natural" gardening that revolutionised the laying out of gardens and estates. So here at Chiswick House, heritage is perfectly matched with a delightful place for family weekend walks in the garden.” 

Nick Knight comments: “I am really excited to be involved in the first real-time exhibition of its kind, set in the city that gives me so much inspiration for my work. I have always been interested in the analogy of the city being like a musical symphony, moving at different tempos. The stillness and solitude of hidden gardens and green spaces contrasted with the architecture we live and work in gives you a different perspective on London.

We get so stuck in our familiar ways around the city that we miss the sheer beauty and inspiration all around us, which is why I’m working with American Express to celebrate this wonderful city and help people see its hidden beauty.”

The exhibition comes as a study by American Express suggests that Brits are stuck on ‘Urban Autopilot’ when it comes to exploring their day to day surroundings, failing to take advantage of everything that’s on offer. The research revealed that when out and about in their nearest city, seven out of ten1 Brits are looking down, distracted by smart phones and tablets. Just one in five take the time to look at their surroundings.

Vice President Brand and Communications, American Express, Melissa Weber says, “The cities we live in are brimming with potential, although we may only appreciate a fraction of what they have to offer. As a fashion photographer, Nick has consistently challenged conventional notions of beauty. We’ve challenged him to re-imagine his commute to work and take a look at other sides to London, in the hope that they inspire others to realise the potential of their city.”

Photos from Nick’s urban photography exhibition on @AmexUK and #MySecretCity also feature on a map of London’s top inspirational spaces created by American Express in collaboration with the some of the UK’s top bloggers*. The map, available at pinterest.com/AmexUK, is packed with hidden havens and hideaways in well and lesser known parts of the city to help people discover something new to love about the capital.

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