Alfred Hitchcock
Photographing Alfred Hitchcock during the filming in 1971 of the movie 'FRENZY'.
Alfred Hitchcock was already a name that resonated in every cinephile’s heart long before I ever held a camera. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the surreal, heart-pounding day in 1971 when I, a young 16 year old photographic assistant trainee was entrusted with capturing an image of the master himself.
I still recall that morning in vivid detail. I had barely settled into my internship as photographic assistant trainee at the first London studio / photo-library I worked at. A bustling hub of photographers producing images for magazines both nationally and internationally. It was a place of both creative chaos and rigid structure, where assignments ranged from studio glamour to breaking news stories. For a newcomer like me, my role consisted of mostly sweeping the floor and making the tea, with the occasional work as darkroom assistant. Little did I know that one day, I would encounter an experience that would ultimately define my entire career.
That day began like any other, with the routine hum of a busy studio, as photographers hustled between assignments, each determined to capture that elusive perfect shot. I was busy with my mundane duties, when suddenly, the studio manager burst into the room. He came running up to me, is eyes were wide, and he didn’t have time for pleasantries. Before I could say a word, he thrust a Rolleiflex twin-lens-reflex camera and two rolls of black and white film into my hands. He informed me that Alfred Hitchcock is making a film a few streets away in Covent Garden. All the shooters are out on assignments, so you go and get some photos of him during the shooting, and get back quick. Well, to say I was nervous would be an understatement. Apart from the fact that this was my first photographic assignment, I've never much liked the mechanism of twin-lens-reflex cameras, with their backwinding shutter cocking system. Anyway, off I went.
On Set in Covent Garden
I'd been issued with a press pass by the studio manager, so I got through the barrier with no problem. The setting was nothing short of cinematic. Covent Garden, the old Victorian fruit market, was alive with vibrant characters, the clash of modernity and tradition, and an energy that pulsed through every cobblestone. I made my way through the crowd, into a world that suddenly seemed larger than life. My destination was the centre of the film set where Alfred Hitchcock, the maestro of suspense, was at work. I started taking photos at first from a distance, capturing candid moments from afar, then inching my way closer. I kept my eyes fixated on the man who had so profoundly influenced cinema. There was a gravity in his demeanour, an enigmatic aura that seemed to draw both admiration and intrigue. Every shutter click was a small act of courage.
Slowly, as if drawn by some unseen force, I inched closer until his formidable presence began to dominate the frame. His silhouette, large and unmistakable, exuded a quiet power that belied the energy around him. Then came the moment of reckoning. I had managed to secure a vantage point from which I could see him clearly, his intense eyes, his distinctive profile. I raised the camera, it was then that I decided to try and capture more than just a passing glimpse. I wanted to capture an image of the man responsible for some of cinema’s most thrilling moments, the man behind the legend. Every step I took was laden with a mixture of determination and trepidation.
I got The SHot...
Finally, I managed to position myself close enough that his entire huge form filled the frame. I could see the lines of concentration and intensity on his face, but as I focused the camera and locked my gaze on him, fate decided to test my resolve. In that critical instant, when I finally got his attention and he was looking directly into my lens, (or two lenses) I fumbled with the camera’s backwinding shutter cocking mechanism. I pressed the shutter release button, but nothing happened. I felt the sweat running down my back… I thought for sure I’d blown it ! But to my astonishment, and in spite of all the activity that was going on around him, he just stood there, held his expression and waited. It was as if he recognised the earnest young photographer was trying to seize a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I took another breath, steadied my nerves, cocked the shutter and fired.. It was only after he heard the click of the shutter that he moved on.. And I’d got the shot.
In that instant, my admiration for Alfred Hitchcock transformed from a mere reverence for his work to a deep, personal appreciation for the ‘man’ himself. His uncanny ability to remain utterly composed amidst chaos left an indelible mark on me. I knew, then and there, that I had not only captured an image but also an essence—a glimpse into the soul of a cinematic legend.
Final Frames
After the encounter, as I reviewed the 24 frames I had shot, I realised that I had indeed captured something special. The image was raw and real, a reflection of a moment that could never be repeated. It was a snapshot of history, a testament to the serendipity that often accompanies great art. My first professional assignment had turned into an experience far richer than I could have ever imagined.
In the days that followed, I found myself obsessively going over the experience in my mind. I remembered the anxiety, the hesitation, and then the profound respect I felt watching Hitchcock’s unyielding composure. It was a lesson in both art and life: that even in moments of vulnerability and uncertainty, there is beauty to be found. Alfred Hitchcock’s silent confidence had taught me that every story, every individual, carries layers of depth that can only be revealed through perseverance and an unwavering commitment to one’s craft.
Gallery
Photos from the set of Frenzy in Covent Garden, London
The Memory of My First Encounter
Over the ensuing decades, my journey as a photographer led me to countless assignments, capturing faces and moments that defined eras. Yet, no matter how many stories I chronicled, the memory of that first encounter with Alfred Hitchcock remained a guiding light. It was more than a professional milestone—it was a defining moment that shaped my approach to photography and storytelling. Every click of the shutter since then has carried a whisper of that iconic day, a reminder that history is often made in the quiet, unassuming moments between preparation and the final, resounding ‘click’.
Today, as I look back on my long career, I see that day not just as the beginning of my professional life, but as the moment when I truly understood the power of a story. Hitchcock’s legacy, interwoven with my own, became a beacon for the kind of storytelling I strive to create—a blend of visual art and human emotion, where every image is a doorway into a narrative far greater than itself. This story, like so many others, is a tribute to the unexpected turns that define our lives. It is a celebration of the chance encounters that alter our paths and the quiet moments of connection that remind us of our shared humanity.
Hitchcock was not merely a subject for my camera; he was a mentor in silence, teaching me that every image, every moment, carries with it the potential to change the way we see the world. In the end, those images of Alfred Hitchcock, and in particular that single shot was more than just photographs—they were an invitation to look deeper, to see beyond the surface, and to appreciate the intricate tapestry of life, art, and destiny. And so, as you browse through these stories, know that each image carries with it the weight of history, the thrill of chance, and the timeless wonder of discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.
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