“MYLDN – a streetview of London life” is now out. It is published by Carpet Bombing Culture and available in all good bookshops (always wanted to say that) and online. You can buy via link below:
BUY BOOK HERE: https://babycakesromero.com/buy-myldn-a-streetview-of-london-life/
All the photographs this week were taken on George Street in Hastings. Its a very picturesque pedestrian street full of bars, cafes and quaint little shops. It is also one of the main thoroughfares of Old Town and so you get an amazing array of characters strolling down there, both locals and tourists. It actually reminded me a lot of Portobello Rd so felt like a home from home and spent a lot of time there watching people go by and capturing the ones you see before you.
Sometimes you don’t realise what a gem of a photo you have until you review it later. It was only after seeing this shot that I spotted the Mr Happy Mug sitting right in front of Mr Grumpy. That is ironic synchronicity at its best. As a photographer you can’t ask for more than that. Although it’s probably me taking his picture who is actually souring his mood…soz mate.
It does seem that almost everyone in Hastings has a dog. Babies are also quite popular, although not everyone seems entirely happy to have them.
The thing about people watching is you believe through observation you can work out what they are thinking but rather than an insight into the minds of others it is much more like holding up a mirror to your own. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on how deep that was…
Like take this dude, he absolutely looks like he’s up to no good. Is that for real or judgemental assumption? Did I just catch him at a bad moment? And is it my imagination that the old guy is getting a grilling from his wife, the latest in a long long line of domestic beration?
I think what I really love about observing and also documenting my fellow man, woman, child and occasional dog is that as I fully immerse my mind in their perceived life it is a holiday from myself. When I dwell on them I am not dwelling on my own life. And let’s be honest we’ve all done that more than enough so I think it’s actually vital to have these welcome breaks from insular thinking by focussing on the internal workings of others. And whether projected or not, it’s still breaks the endless rumination. And that can only be a good thing. Not for them obvs. It’s tantamount to slander but hey ho…
this was supppsed to go out yesterday..soz, forgot to hit PUBLISH. doh!
Over the last 3 years the only place I have been apart from at home is Hastings. We go down there to dog sit for our wonderful friends (yes michelle & chris I am talking about you) when they are away. It is a mutually beneficial relationship as we love being down there and we also love their dog (yes mazzy I am talking about you). Anyway whilst down there I have also been documenting the characterful coastal town and its characterful inhabitants. And as my brain is back in gear a bit I am finally able to go through the photographs and share with you some of my selections, which I will do over the coming weeks…
So I hope you will enjoy this little visit to the seaside. Having been marooned in my local area for such a long time it was great to be taking pictures on a different turf. Hastings has a very unique vibe and doesn’t feel like anywhere else I have been in U.K so was very inspiring to photograph. This week featured captured moments that ignite an imagined story.
Like this dude..a one man walking disco. He actually looked a bit pissed off and quite charged up. He doesn’t look he’s going to bust some moves so I imagined he had just gone round to his ex to take back his disco ball which she had commandeered after the break-up and he had taken back what was rightfully his. “You can have the rowing machine but the glitterball is coming with me! I’m gonna have loads of fun without you..I’m gonna have a party and invite loads of people and it will be amazing and you’ll hear about it and curse the day you broke up with me and now every time you see a disco ball you’ll think what did I do? he was the best thing that ever happened to me..why? WHY??”
ok, I got a bit carried away there but you get the gist..
Army training: conceal yourself wherever possible. You never know when the enemy will strike
Splashes of colour this week. Why? Well it’s spring innit? I know for most that would mean arty shots of tulips in bloom but as you know that ain’t how I roll…
This woman seems to have coordinated her outfit with her birthday balloons, which begs the question..which came first? Did she buy the balloons because they matched her clothes or did she go and buy a whole new wardrobe so she could fit in with the inflatable numbers? This is the sort of shot that keeps me up at night..
It wasn’t just the flash of bright orange which attracted me to these two individuals. I mean, come on, that is a serious look..just wow! I rarely engage with my chosen subjects but I just had to have a word and find out what was transpiring. They were putting up fliers for something called the 27club. And I was like oh, where’s that then? Some new local joint to check out? No, said the gents, all these people died at 27. Joplin, Morrison, Winehouse etc. Ok. right…I see..umm..and? Tragic yes but why lump em all together? To what end? And why post em on the wall?They didn’t really care to elaborate and so that was kinda that.
I have obviously veered off the topic of spring but really what else is there to say? Comes round every year. Starts getting warmer. Days get longer. Ok, think we got that all covered..maybe this could be a regular thing..recapping seasons..feels like a vital and important service..
Old geezers, blokes & gents this week. Our neighbourhood is now mostly overrun with tourists so its getting harder to spot the old characters that have always lived in this area. But they are still there and I am sure they must be thinking…what the hell happened to this place? I think that and I’ve only been here since the 90s and I’m considerably younger. (I don’t know what constitutes considerably but I’m going with it)
I’ve tried to take photos of the tourists but they all look the same to me. Walking down Portobello these days is like sailing through a sea of puffer jackets…head to toe in uniqlo. I’m not dissing them it just doesn’t get the creative juices flowing. And then I see a craggy old characterful dude, his entire existence etched in every line in his face and that’s what I want to shoot. (not like kill obvs, that would be murder, I know they’re old but shame on you)
I’ve always been drawn towards characterful faces as anyone who follows this blog will know. I just find symmetrical beauty quite dull. I’m watching Boardwalk Empire at the mo (I know, late to the party) and I just marvel at Steve Buscemi’s face. It’s spectacular. Anyway I digress…
One day I will be one of these old characterful guys shuffling down the street, but the spirit of me will still be encased within the worn exterior. And that will be so for every one of these men this week so we should not judge by external facades. Who knows who might be living inside? Actually that’s sounds quite ominous. It wasn’t meant to be. I don’t mean like an alien or anything. I’m not saying they’re lizard people. Ok, I’m done..
p.s forgot it was good friday but hope you all have a splendid long weekend…
