James Shackleton's Blog

Unloading Ice from a Truck

Here are a couple of pictures of a man unloading ice from a truck at one of the markets in Bangkok.

I was really struck by how generous people were in terms of allowing me to take photographs. I’ve never been anywhere like it.

Unloading Ice

Men in Blue

So I’ve been in Bangkok lately – just got back.

I met these guys there. They said they were going to a party.

More Men in Blue

Gavin Gough Taking Pictures

I have had an interesting couple of days in Bangkok.

On Saturday after a series of quick emails, I arranged to do two half-day sessions with Gavin, booked a flight to Bangkok on the next day and a hotel to stay in, which I thought was pretty good going.

This picture is from a market we visited on Monday morning.

I think later in the week I’ll write a bit more about my two mornings with Gavin – I think I need to let it sink in a bit more.

Numbers on a Wall

You see similar numbers to  these painted on walls all over the city. What they mean, I do not know. But I liked the colour contrast – and the way the paint had run (a bit), so I took a picture.

My Photographer

I haven’t been posting much lately. I’m working on something.

I was in the city a couple of weeks ago, when I heard someone calling at me – trying to get my attention. I’d sussed he had a new celphone and was itching to nail a subject/victim with it. So I did a classic “Londoner” and ignored him. But then as I walked away, I felt sort of defensive, so I turned around, walked back (taking my camera out) and “hosed him” with the camera drive set on HI. Was I psychologically “shooting back”? Maybe. But he thought it was funny.

I have mixed feelings about photographing strangers. I know lots of photographers don’t like being photographed. I try to take it with good grace.

Drain on the Floor

Being the spontanious fellow that I am, I took this pictures a few moments ago in my bathroom. I’m always fascinated by how decent photographers can play with impressions of size and scale, by working close up. But the main reason, is ‘cos I like the idea of heart shaped holes in something as utilitarian as a bathroom floor drain. I wish I could have got closer (I was using a Canon 50mm F2.5 macro – which only goes to 1/2 lifesize).