b.1944 Ronald ‘Charlie’ Phillips was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but was brought up in St. Mary. He lived with his grandparents in a very Catholic household until joining his parents in London on 17 August 1956. The family lived in Notting Hill.

Charlie’s photographic career began when he was given a camera by an American GI.Having taught himself, he began to photograph life in Notting Hill and the American celebrities who came to visit.

Following a spell in the merchant navy, Charlie became caught up in 1960s protest movements, travelling to Sweden, Switzerland, Paris and Rome, where he photographed student riots and film stars. He lived in Italy for several years but returned to London, where he fell into a bohemian life of squats and pop festivals.

In 1989 he left Notting Hill to open Smokey Joe’s Diner in Wandsworth. During these years Charlie abandoned photography, discouraged by the lack of recognition. He has recently picked up a camera again and is pursuing a life-long fascination with the sea through his ‘routes and roots’ project.