b'Thats not to say it has always been sweetness and light betweenanyone. Nevertheless, he told me that this one would be really the two of us though, as an incident at the rugby World Cup ingood. Just trust me!, he says. In those words lies his greatness 2003 forever reminds me. and, in my opinion, the secret behind his phenomenal photos.In the week before the final - it was the Wednesday - Owen and IFrom the outset, Marc seemed to get me. Our personalities in chatted our way through a big, important column which, with mesome respects could not be further apart, but he still was able to being incredibly reserved and self-conscious, was probably goingempathise and understand where I was coming from and deduce to be very boring. Owen mentioned that he needed a photo towhat I was thinking almost immediately. When he integrates spice it up. No chance - I thought. I had no inclination whatsoeverthese uncoachable gifts in with the techniques you can teach (but to leave the hotel to have my picture taken; I was petrified aboutprobably not master to his level), he has the perfect blend of skills what all the England supporters would think and do, the pressureto create intensely truthful images.it would put me under. I just thought, I cant handle this beforeThe ability to see through my eyes, other players eyes, the ability such a big game. But Marc had an idea. Of course he did. He hadto live inside the mind - albeit briefly - of the performers, to think seen an ideal place which was quiet, completely hidden awayhow they are thinking and feel the same emotions, is what sets his and, of course, was going to look great in a photograph. angles and his focus on target. It is the same thing which directs So down we went, in the prime midday heat, to the very centrehim uncannily towards being in exactly the right place at exactly the of the largest and most frequented beach in Manly for our privateright time almost every time.shoot. Throughout the entire ordeal, I gritted my teeth and glaredHis passion is a rare delight in this day and age when enjoyment at him through his camera, trying to shatter the lens with my dark,and love of a trade can quickly slip down the priorities list beneath hostile thoughts.money and fame. His infectious energy and positivity is what keeps Five and a bit years later, in early 2009, I had hit an all-time lowcoaxing me to these stupid places that I dont want to go to, to with my knee injury and was beginning to fear that the end may behave photographs taken which Im totally unsure of. His brilliance in sight. I was sent on a trip to Vermont to spend three weeks withis what helps me to realise that maybe I really actually had fun after a miracle-working rehab specialist; there was a lot hingeing on thatall; his photos let me know that I should never have doubted him trip. So out came the boys to join me. They sniffed a good story,in the first place; and his qualities as a great human being are what some great photos and a little bit of skiing. bring it all together. Marc had another of his great ideas. It involved us all going up toWith the press of a button, Marc Aspland gives me memories I the top of the highest mountain and taking in the view. And what acan hold in front of me; memories which somehow end up being view it was too - if only I had had a chance to see it. There I was,better than the fabulous experiences they depict. He manages to at the top of the slope trying to protect my bad leg whilst beingtranspose events we all wish we had been there to experience cursed and knocked out of the way by disgruntled skiers. Niceinto things we can still see and feel for ourselves just as if we had one, Marc! I remember that one also being a fairly stern-faced,been present. angry shoot. I could go on, but his amazing book of photographs here will And then theres the swimming shot you see here. During ahappily do the rest.relaxed afternoon in the Toulon sunshine, the three of us were hanging out by the pool. Marc raced off to fetch his camera after seeing me in the water saying that he had another idea. I do not do the top off shots, by the way, and he knows this better than 7'