Tag: hastings

This week’s shots focus on little details of randomness found in Hastings. There is oddness lurking in the shadows and a sense of strangeness to the town, especially the old part. There really is a bit of a wicker man vibe going on there. You can sort of imagine woodland rituals taking place under the cover of night. It has (or maybe it always had) attracted a lot of unconventional alternative characters who have made a home there. People who maybe didn’t fit in elsewhere. Old punks, hippies, artists, counter culture oddballs..the misfits have united all in one place. And I have to say that is half the appeal. Maybe I fit into that anti-fit category which is why I feel at home there.

Just in case you were wondering where you were..

I can’t help thinking of the League of Gentleman when I’m there. Mebbe a tad friendlier and hopefully less murdery but still..like this guy on the right. He is possibly one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. Is that his face? A mask? What the fuck is going on there? And his drum is pure Papa Lazarou..mebbe its best just to visit this place after all..

The first shot and this last shot are taken on the easthill which is a huge sprawling expanse of nature which overlooks the ocean and the old town. It is stunning and one of my favourite places on Earth. When you are up there the rest of the world melts away and it is just you and the elements.

And so concludes our sojourn in Hastings. And as the old song goes..oh I do like to be by the seaside..and hopefully you did. Tiddely-om-pom-pom and all that…back in da hood next week..have a great bank holiday weekend if you in the U.K and see y’all tuesday..

Look’s like someone’s learnt some naughty words..such an eloquent vocabulary..and a master at noughts and crosses too by the looks of things..also love that amongst all the vitriol is a jaunty friendly “hey!”

I shouldn’t really judge..I uttered most of those words yesterday when I couldn’t get my computer to work but guess what? It’s back from the dead..woo hoo! Turns out I was a bit premature in calling the time of death and so much to my relief it lives on..for now.

Cher Thanos has spoken! I will abide

Anyone need cheering up on a Monday? Sorry did I say cheering up? I meant terrified..

(p.s I know there are some my subscribers (it’s not just you Grant) who still can’t see the photos in the email they receive and I know having a photoless photo blog is somewhat sad but unfortunately its your mail program blocking it cos it thinks its spam but good news awaits…to get around this wordpress have now installed a “read on blog” link which is just under the post title. So don’t delay click away..it might take a couple more seconds but think of the rewards..

Nothing like being away on holiday to bond a family. Death of Conversation in full effect.

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…

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..