Category Archives: News

The 5th Annual Taste Awards In Hollywood

Red Carpet Awards Ceremony & Celebrations

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014.  Photo: Armen Khanlian

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014. Photo: Armen Khanlian

Well, it’s not every day one gets invited to Hollywood for an awards ceremony; this was something I will definitely cherish. I was somewhat shocked to find that my short film on the Electric Coffee Company was shortlisted in the “Official Selection”: Best mini film or documentary. To then find out that the awards were to be in Hollywood became almost funny; my short film was in a Hollywood award’s ceremony!

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014.  Photo: Edmond Terakopian

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014.  Photo: Armen Khanlian

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014. Photo: Armen Khanlian

Sadly the film didn’t win its section, but in all honesty, I had seen four films (out of ten nominated finalists) in my section which were great, so wasn’t thinking I had a chance of winning. What was special though was realising I was the only solo film maker; the others were all either TV companies or production companies. Not too shabby to be a finalist in this talented group I guess!

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014.  Photo: Edmond Terakopian

The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

TV interviews with some of the winners. The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014.  Photo: Edmond Terakopian

TV interviews with some of the winners. The 5th annual Taste Awards red carpet ceremony and celebrations, The Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA. January 16, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

For those interested in the technical aspects, the film was entirely shot using a Leica M (Type 240) using a Leica 28mm Summicron ASPH, 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE and 50mm Noctilux ASPH, with some shots using a Leica OUFRO macro adapter. Ambient audio recorded on the internal microphone and interview recorded on a Roland R26 using a Rode lavalier microphone. Edited using FCP X. Partially colour graded in “Color” by Neil Patience ( patience.tv ). Final grading with FCP X and Film Convert. A Manfrotto 561BHDV video monopod was used for all shots apart from the interview, for which a Gitzo video tripod was used. I also used a Lee RF75 filter holder & hood, along with Lee ND filters.

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RIP Nelson Mandela

Heroic, Graceful, Wise & Inspiring

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, left, speaking as Will Smith, second from left and Annie Lennox, right, look on at the 46664 charity concert in honour of Mandela's upcoming 90th birthday in London. The 46664 Concert, Hyde Park. June 26, 2008. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian

Nelson Mandela, left, speaking as Will Smith, second from left and Annie Lennox, right, look on at the 46664 charity concert in honour of Mandela’s upcoming 90th birthday in London. The 46664 Concert, Hyde Park. June 26, 2008. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian

Speaking with friends and colleagues about the sad loss of an astonishing man, we all quickly came to realise that Nelson Mandela was unique. The world has had some inspiring leaders who have loved their country and taken it forward, but Mandela was the only leader that seems to have been equally loved by those outside of South Africa as well as in.

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, left, speaking as Will Smith, second from left looks on at the 46664 charity concert in honour of Mandela's upcoming 90th birthday in London. The 46664 Concert, Hyde Park. June 26, 2008. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian

Nelson Mandela, left, speaking as Will Smith, second from left looks on at the 46664 charity concert in honour of Mandela’s upcoming 90th birthday in London. The 46664 Concert, Hyde Park. June 26, 2008. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian

A Powerful Tribute By David Turnley

Here’s a very moving and powerful tribute by photographer David Turnley.

“Madiba, how could they have put you in prison for 27 years when you didn’t steal anything?” Madiba responded, “Sweetheart, I did steal something. I stole freedom for our people.”

The Soul of Photography

Interview On Armenia’s Civilnet

I had the honour of being interviewed on Armenia’s Civilnet on my career as a photographer.

The Taste Awards 2013

NOMINEES & HONOREES: 5TH ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS

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Very pleased to share that my short film on the Electric Coffee Company has been nominated in the 5th Annual Taste Awards in the “Best Mini Film or Documentary” section.

As the film is nominated in the Viewers Choice category, voting for the film is open to the public until December 18, 2013. If you like my short film, I would really appreciate if you would take a minute or two and vote for it; thank you.

CLICK HERE to vote for my film 🙂 My film is in Section 11 and titled “Electric Coffee Company”.

Many thanks for your support. The results will be announced at the Taste Awards in Hollywood on January 16th, 2014.

Some frame grabs from the film:

Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013. Electric Coffee Company, Ealing, London. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian / 2013.

The Last Animals

The Slaughter Of Elephants and Rhinos


Over the past two years, the slaughter of African elephants and rhinoceros has skyrocketed to supply international markets with their tusks and horns. Ivory has been dubbed the white gold of jihad and rhino horn now has a higher market value than cocaine and gold. With the expansion of radical Islamist and independent militias in Africa, along with criminal syndicates, the daring groups carrying out these bloody “harvests” are killing these animals at unprecedented rates.

Please help my friend and colleague Kate Brooks with this project, so she can finish her film and raise awareness, in a hope to save these magnificent creatures. Head on over to her Kickstarter page and make your donation, no matter how small.

Please share this post and help Kate reach her goal. Thank you.

Top Four For Short Movie

Professional Photographer Of The Year 2013

I am absolutely thrilled to share that one of my short films, Solitude, has made it in to the top four of the shortlist for the Short Movie section of the Professional Photographer of the Year 2013 competition.

My short film joins my news image and street photograph, who are also in the final shortlist of 20. I am absolutely honoured to have three of my works in the finals! Please keep your fingers crossed!