Gunn Street
London, 1992
I was in my second year at university, studying Architecture. The building industry wasn’t building. Architects earned money by gutting buildings to avoid taxes. This was just a quick photo as I was walking with a friend, but it summed up how we all felt at the time.
It also makes me think of one my brief brushes with professional photographers. A very kind man called Colin – used to let me use his darkroom. I blush to think of the photos of mine he must have seen. His comment on this one, was about the barrel distortion – which didn’t look so bad to me – but I suppose architectural stuff was his thing.
A Couple in London
An Age Ago.
I think I’ve written before about London and I.
I know, to New Yorkers, anywhere else – isn’t New York. There is an element of – “you’ve got to be kidding” about it. I feel a bit like that about London. Whenever I hear people run it down (and they do), I just smile to myself and think – you just don’t get it, do you?
I’l be back there this Christmas – booked my ticket and everything – not the best time to be there – but I can’t wait!
I think I took this photo on some annonymous day in October. The light was flat. A cold grey day. I think I had been watching Brideshead Revisited – the bit where they are on the deck of the ocean liner – passion amid the storm.
To judge by the scan – I think I over developed the film. These days I used colour negative – when I use film.
Mean People Suck
Helsinki, 2004
Mean people suck – ‘cos they do!
I have been trying to post one photo every day – and I’m getting to the point where I need find new and fresh pictures, which was at least part of the idea behind doing this. One of the problems with having loads of photos knocking around, is that they clog things up and become “things” themselves. You spend time thinking about them – and what you should do with them – rather than thinking about your next photo. You look at them and wonder if you were a better photographer then, rather than now. What if that was the high watermark for you? I once read a rather amusing story by Ed Dimsdale in Ag+ about a family bulldog. One day as the dog lay on one of the stairs, a mouse literally ran into its mouth. The dog literally could’t believe its luck. The downside was that the dog wouldn’t leave that spot – in case another mouse ran into its mouth. Which brings us back to photography.
This is one of the fastest photos I’ve ever taken. I was with my girlfriend (listening closely), paused for a moment (looking thoughtful) and then caught her up again. I normally only take photos on my own (an interesting sentence).
Flag - Wilmington, North Carolina
September, 2000
Quite an old photo.
After work on a Friday, my friends and I would drive from Atlanta to Charleston or Wilmington (which was a bit further). I remember racing home from work, to find a car waiting outside ready to go. Late night drives, coffee and doughnuts at some rest stop on the way. Waking up the next morning and seeing this fine yellow sand and blue sky. I miss it.
Eye in the Street
London, 2005
Like I have written before, my favourite photos tend to be surprises. I found this picture on one of the streets north of Oxford Street. I was just looking around – and there it was.
Dog in a Window
Bristol, 1999
Where does the description, “a shaggy dog story” come from?
This photo reminds me of how much more I used to walk, than I do now. I’m almost certain I took this on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of a solid walk as I approached Broadmead Shopping Centre – in Bristol. I used to walk so much then. And in lieu of a dog of my own, I would take a camera.
I’ve always been quite fond of Bristol – perhaps one day I will live there.
I’m not sure what the film is – probably Neopan 400.
Under the Seat
Somewhere between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, October 2009
Just recently I seem to be spending loads of time on aeroplanes – and waiting for aeroplanes which are delayed – and booking flights… and so it goes on.It is interesting, in that it is interesting watching how people behave in these “in-between places”. It is irritating in that it doesn’t always bring out the best in people. But sometimes -when the weather is calm/the clouds are clearly defined and casting shadows/ my neighbour has something worthwhile to say – it can be … ok.
And yes, I wear white trainers and jeans.
Blue Sky
If I was taking this picture again, I think I would focus on a couple of the streamers on the top right hand side of the frame – which are gently moving in the morning breeze.
I keep promising myself that I will get up extra early in the morning to go out and take pictures. This idea suggests that there will be more photos availible if I would just get up to take them. Like they are prey which has eluded me – snuck past – while I am in the grasp of Morpheus. I supose the truth of that matter is that if i devote more time to photography – more photographs will result.
I took this with a Pentax *ist D and Sigma 24mm f1.8. I don’t think the people who frequent forums think particularly highly of either, but for a while at least, I was very happy with both.
Feet in the Water
Lake Soyapango, 2007
I was with some friends. Drifting around the lake. It was beautiful. My proper camera had a flat battery (curses). So I used a really rubbish camera phone instead. Better than no picture (but not much).
When I look at pictures like this one, I wish I had spent more time outside San Salvador.
Leaf on Slab
San Salvador, August 2006
I’ve decided that there are two kinds of people in the world – those who photograph leaves – and those that don’t. I suppose I’m in the former group.
I had just arrived in El Salvador and discovered what real is like.
