On Practice
The first time I remember hearing the joke, I was on the second floor of a block of flats in the Cairnhill area of Airdrie. A young boy, sitting warming in front of a 3-bar fire. With the smell of… Read More »On Practice
street photography
The Importance of Anticipation
My fascination with the exceptional work of the masters of street photography tends to come not from the photographer’s technical prowess, compositional expertise, or excellence of the prints, but from their preternatural ability to find themselves in the right place,… Read More »The Importance of Anticipation
The March of a Million Hearts
I woke up on the morning of Sunday 1st October feeling much better than I did the day before. The previous week had been marred by a cold I couldn’t seem to shake, and a persistent cough that, true to… Read More »The March of a Million Hearts
Techniques for Candid Street Photography
As a street photographer teaching high school photography, my students are often fascinated by the candid photographs of people going about their lives. Whether looking through pictures of Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand, Jill Freedman, or – less exciting, I’m sure –… Read More »Techniques for Candid Street Photography
More Recommended Reading for Street Photographers
My recent compulsion to spend what little disposable income I have on photo books does not seem to be relenting. With several new additions to the library this month, I’ve been thinking more about the books I recommend to friends,… Read More »More Recommended Reading for Street Photographers
On Wearing Good Shoes
Cons. Chucks. Hi-tops. Gutties. Whatever you call them, Converse Chuck Taylors have long been my favoured flavour of footwear, beating Adidas Samba to the finish by the width of only a shoelace. While great footwear for hanging around a record… Read More »On Wearing Good Shoes
Reviewing Past Work
Nestling underneath my spasmodic impostor syndrome, I am told I have the particular affliction of being far too hard on myself. The practical upshot of this, of course, is that photographs good enough to make my edit, don’t. I see… Read More »Reviewing Past Work
Required Reading for Street Photographers
In my move from Glasgow to Warsaw, very few of my photo books survived. I sold off many at Caledonia Books on Great Western Road, in Glasgow, a combination of them being too heavy to ship, and an attractive source… Read More »Required Reading for Street Photographers
Warsaw Pride 2023
In the 3 years since the pandemic lockdown forced the cancellation of Warsaw’s parada równości, the celebration of equality, the event, as it has returned, has been unmissable. Last year, due to the many refugees fleeing the War in Ukraine,… Read More »Warsaw Pride 2023
4th June: From Democracy to Lex Tusk
Earlier this month, on the 4th June, over half a million people from around Poland took to the streets of Warsaw to march in support of democracy. The concept of democracy itself hangs on a shaky peg here in Poland… Read More »4th June: From Democracy to Lex Tusk