Monday 26 October 2015

when an old cricketer leaves the crease

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/18014656230/

when an old cricketer leaves the crease

©japanese forms
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We had gone along to see some art exhibition but when we got there some other event was taking place outside. Brass bands were playing, marching along; accompanied by a hundreds of spectators. I took a few shots of the brass bands and other people in and around the entrance. This is the one that I liked most.  As I looked at the photo and the weary old chap in the foreground I found the title for it.
Roy Harper's superb, elegiac song, 'When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease'  -which "uses the game of cricket as an overwhelming metaphor for death, in its nostalgic sense for what has passed"* was an immediate choice.
Also, it seemed more than fitting when you know that in the song Harper's acoustic guitar is backed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band.


*Wikipedia





Saturday 24 October 2015

say a prayer to strike your enemy blind

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/9850207814/

say a prayer to strike your enemy blind

©japanese forms
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I'm not at all keen on religion. Of any kind. However, I'm sort of drawn to the iconography of it all. One day, while having a stroll around a market, I came across this gypsy guy who was selling these little cards depicting various saints.They were quite attractive and rather nicely done.* He had a small suitcase full of them and other religious whatnots. I bought one -not the one in the pic. Saint Rita it was apparently. Not being a Roman Catholic I had no idea of who she was nor of what she had done to deserve to be canonized. Didn't really matter; I liked the icon. I'm still not sure why she was made a saint because, as I said above, religion really isn't my cup of tea. So, if a question about her comes up in some pub quiz or other I'll fail miserably.

Anyhow, I gave the card to a friend -whose mother collects these sort of things- saying that I'd go back the next week and buy a couple of others.
Needless to say the chap never appeared that day and, though I've only been back to the market a few times in the five years since I took the photo, I've never seen him -nor anyone else- selling these little trinkets. Oh well, maybe one day.


*click on the photo to see a full colour version






Friday 23 October 2015

life during wartime

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/8513859750/

life during wartime

©japanese forms
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Taken in the middle of winter on a cold, dark, miserable evening. A Starbucks caravan had taken up residence on a large city square for a few days. In the town centre, at that time, there were no Starbucks franchises so it was all a bit of a novelty for the denizens to see this temporary one. A chance to try out their wares. As I mention above, it wasn't exactly inviting to stand in a 100 yard long queue in the drizzle and cold all to get to taste one of their vile brews, but a lot of people were willing to do so. As for us, we continued on our way to a nice, cosy café to enjoy an espresso in somewhat more comfortable circumstances.



girls just want to have fun

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/14017738274/

girls just want to have fun

©japanese forms
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Amid quite a bit of hustle and bustle in a busy high street these girls were circling around in a kind of farandole. It was for some fashion store or cosmetics or whatever. Not sure. Anyhow, it was all rather enjoyable and the girls appeared to be having fun. Got up close to take some shots that turned out quite well as well as capturing the movement of the girls going past me.



Thursday 22 October 2015

dog day afternoon

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/20241049288/

dog day afternoon

©japanese forms

Photograph taken on a seafront promenade. Lots of cafés, restaurants, people milling around. This is a cropped version of a wider shot of folk enjoying a drink and/or a meal at a restaurant. A place which appears to cater for a rather well-heeled, well-to-do, well-off clientele.* A place where a bowl of mussels and french fries will set you back about 25€ or so. When I took this shot I wasn't aware of the dogs; it was only when looking at the photo on my computer that I noticed them. There was another one; I think, beneath the table. I don't mind people having dogs but I wouldn't want to eat at a place that allows dogs to lounge on the seating or slobber all over the tables. Also, as in quite a few group shots that I take, everyone looks quite miserable despite the nice weather and it being the holiday season.



*Delete as appropriate.



twin peeks

https://www.flickr.com/photos/japaneseforms/21723512359/

twin peeks

©japanese forms

Noticed the poster ad with Naomi Campbell while driving past so I stopped, got out my camera to get a shot. As I was taking the shot this guy walked by, looked at me (probably wondering what I was shooting), then turned his head to look at the ad. That's when I pressed the shutter-release button.
The result came out quite well.