Diaries of a photographer (and a van)...Part 9

17/03/07

MORNING - Morning! So went to Stonehenge yesterday and had a good few hours there stalking other tourists! It struck me that I must look like an uber tourist with my larger than normal camera.

Had a good day though, mainly focussing on other people and how they 'used' the henge.

It takes all of 5 minutes to walk round the stones and to my eye, there are 3 choices of shot:

1) The stones in a typical picturesque, crop out everything bad view

2) The stones - contemporary! E.g close ups or funny angles

3) The tourists looking at the stones

So went for option 3 and spent much time snapping the backs of heads, other photographers and people with those audio wand things!

In such a manufactured attraction, its hard to actually appreciate the pre-historic monolith, I found I was most in awe of them when I saw them from a distance in the van, sitting comfortably in the landscape. I will return to the stones on Sunday and get some shots from further afield at the roadside.

I did go the 'wrong' side of the fence yesterday and tried to shoot people who didn't want to pay so looked from teh perimeter fence.

Stayed near Silbury Hull, Avebury area last night. A good park up spot that was relatively unused and quiet...apart from the wind! No hassle though, which is good and another top night of van sleep!

There is something great about this wild camping lark - waking up next to fields either side. Ironically(ish) I am parked up at the start of the Ridgeway - seems to be an ongoing theme of this project that I end up places I have already been or photographed or have some other connection with.

The only people about this morning are dog walkers. They are the most productice and hard working of all social gangs - FACT. First thing and last thing, guaranteed, they will be there. One thing I thought too - they always know the best and most beautiful spots!

So off to Bath in a bit to photograph the baths themselves. Not sure what to expect at all as never been there.

Need to buy socks today as I foolishly only brought one pair.

Laters.

17/03/07

15:42 - I have finished at the Baths and come in search of the greasiest spoon I can find...and found a classic in the Guildhall market. One big wrong breakfast for me. Thanks.

The Baths were ok - but can't help feeling I have turned into Martin Parr (http://www.martinparr.com/) this weekend. The Baths were absolutely rammed, it was crazy - seriously. Being inconspicuous was a nightmare as everyone was agog at my massive camera! Few technical problems too as I wasn't allowed to use the tripod (some crap about ancient Roman floors or something!) and the flash was a no go as the size of it made...

~ QUICK EATING BREAK...WRONG FOOD...YUMMY!~

...everyone run or look around alarmed and I really don't want the Parr aesthetic or my shots will look like they were taken by a pro, if that makes sense? Perhaps I am just being a wimp though.

So, dunno how it went, got some interesting stuff anyway I hope. I found it a bit horrible and hard to do though! So many people goind through the same motions and me the only loose cannon, touristing by the seat of my pants. It's the most voyeuristic I have felt as a photographer in a long time! Partly I think because its an enclosed space. Out iun the open, I can escape - contained by walls I feel a bit penned in and like I don't belong there. My shots wont work if people are watching the camera so it was a hard day.

Bath is a tourist mecca. Its more rammed than the Laines on a Saturday before Christmas or on a super summers day.

Going to have a stroll round Bath before it closes and see what I can see.

Quite want to do a project on cafes like this one. They are a unique haven for people you never see anywhere else in the country. You can always find them by looking for the 'cheaper' ends of town or markets or bus stations and places like that. But they have a greater sense of community than anywhere else in town and are full of the most unique and fascinating people. Anyone is accepted too without question or judgement, be they suited or overalled!

18/03/07

14:48 - Just taken ths shit out of Stonehenge. But the perimiter of it this time. I walked around the surrounding fields and massice scarry roads to get some shots of the location etc...trying not to bee too much like Simon Norfolk (http://www.simonnorfolk.com/ - go to the English Equivilants page, a project I found that is basically like what I am doing, shucks!). Its well annoying when someone does something before you and gets the shot you clearly would have taken if they hadn't. Bastards.

Harsh conditions today too - large winds I fought agaisnt and even hail at one point!

Stayed in Bath Marina campsite last night. It was funny. It was for caravans and motorhomes only and everyone had posh homes on wheels and then me...and the scruffy Guf sitting awkwardly amongst them! One was more like Challenge Anika's lorry! Massive it was. But with extendable side pods, a satalite dish and even an Eagle on the dashboard - 2 guesses where they were from.

When I arrived the office was shut so I parked anyway and went to pay this morning. Got chatting to the attendant about what I was up to and it turned out he used to work for an auction house and was an expert on print making. He showed me and original Julia Margaret Cameron he had...for his pension fund...lucky bastard!

~ I have just found the photo he had online look:

He had an original print and everything! The photo is called 'Kiss of Peace' from 1879 I believe. His copy was a bit battered but still amazing to see an original really old photo. Just had a look online, and I am amazed at how little her photos go for! Often £5,000 or less! I am not so impressed any more ;) He is going to have a rubbish retirement by the looks of things!!!

3 things:

1) I got some socks! Stripey numbers from M&S. When I was paying a middle aged man thrust, proudly, a very skimpy pair of speedo's on the counter! Why do middle aged men have no shame? He was delighted to be buying them and I wager stands proud, hands on hips, on the beach, pubes sticking out!

2) Why do garages display cars on those ramp things so the car is effectively on a mini hill? What does it proove - the vehicle has a good hand brake!?

3) Bought dinner from a road side birger van. First - what a crap job to sit in that, by a roiad, servinge drunks and the ungratefull!

Second - I have a habit of being puzzled by how people like that make a living. I find myself totting up their earnings.

Parr Exampler - 20 x £5 burger meal = £100. Say £50 costs thats £50 profit. Times 7 days = £350 a week or £1400 a month. Not bad! But optomistic at best. Bet he lives in the van amongst his baps!