An exhibition of photographs by Jason Bell has just opened at the National Portrait Gallery in London. It features British people who have swapped old blighty for that very lovable New York City (something I’d LOVE to do, if the visa situation weren’t so difficult).

Take a look at an audio slideshow from BBC News of Bell’s photographs.

Photograph © Jason Bell

Hear Jason Bell on BBC Radio 4 this Sunday 22 August, from 09:00 BST.

Exhibtion An Englishman in New York: Photographs by Jason Bell now on at the National Portrait Gallery until April ’11.

Lately I’ve been a bit lazy about using my digital camera. Taking photos with it is fine, but it’s the plugging in to my ancient MacBook, dealing with Picasa taking 10 minutes to load, then downloading the photos, then editing etc.. Le Sigh. I’ll just use the iPhone instead. Even if the picture quality is a bit crap.

I hear there are apps out there to make iPhone pictures look fabulous – anyone care to email me to give me some pointers? clareATbellaphonicstudiosDOTcom

I ended up in the basement of EastGallery this afternoon, on the promise of a slideshow of travel photos accompanied by music. Seeing as it was in a gallery on Brick Lane in east London, I figured I was safe from any kind of experience like those of my childhood – Dad with the slide projector (ours had a remote control clicker, attached by a long lead) and one of my sorry siblings bashing out a tune on the piano.

SO – this was nothing like that. It was actually quite amazing! Thanasis Lomef Zacharopoulos (aka Lomef) has travelled the world with a camera and the eye of an artist, capturing some amazing moments in some spectacular places. And as we watched a selection of snaps roll across the screen, his merry band played some great music to accompany (including, a human beatbox by way of loop pedal!). I left inspired to travel more and take photos. Now who wants to get me that Canon G10 for xmas?

You can buy his book, 11×11, by clicking the image above.