black and white – Late Developer

Revolution! – Arbour Hill

June 2, 2018Ian McCLeave a comment

A century on from the decade when Ireland began the final struggle to gain independance from Britsh rule, a visitor to Dublin will see memorials, museums, experiences and physical reminders of events that have shaped the Ireland of today. Whatever your take on this chapter of British and Irish history, it’s a rewarding experience to breathe in the history and come to your own conclusions. The events from 1916 through to independance are marked throughout the city – the civil war not so much, but we are still a few years from this centenary.

A good starting point is the Arbour Hill cemetery. A former British military cemetery, it’s also the burial place of 14 of the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, you can get the history on sites like Heritage Ireland.

While the likes of Kilmainham Gaol, the cemetery at Glasnevin and the GPO Museum are always busy with fully booked guided tours, Arbour Hill is usually deserted. There’s no entrance fee, no guides (except an occasional free talk at the weekend) and no shop. Once you pass the church you’re into a fairly staid and unremarkable military cemetery.

Then towards the back, there’s the reason Arbour Hill gets visitors. The executed leaders of the Rising were unceremoniously buried at a British military cemetery seemingly to avoid the martyrdom and pilgrimages that might stoke further unrest. History of course had other plans for Ireland, and naturally subsequent Irish governments have developed the grave as a remembrance site.

Surrounding the grave site are stones inscribed with the names of those buried – in English and Irish script. Thomas Clarke, the old man of the Rising, had a floral tribute marking his stone.

Arbour Hill tom clarke irish — The names in Irish

One of the more fascinating characters of the Rising was James Connolly, a Scot of Irish descent, a former Britsh soldier, trade unionist and leader of the Irish Citizen Army.

Arbour Hill Connoly — Connolly marked by the Starry Plough

Arbour Hill is located a bit away from Dublin’s main tourist sites, on a quiet street at the rear of the Collins Barracks Museum. It is however worth a visit if you’re doing some revolution tourism – a site of great signifigance in Irish history and you’ve plenty of further options for the tourguides, multimedia displays and souvenir shops.

Photos were taken on a robust (heavy) Hanimex 35SL (a rebadged Chinon CS) a Pallas 35mm lens (never heard of them) using Lomography Earl Grey 100 film.

Tokyo: Shinjuku and Ginza

March 31, 2018Ian McCLeave a comment

It’s busy…

Compared to Northern Ireland, Tokyo is an assault on the senses – the crowds, the skyline, the neon – and I love it. Another major difference is the abundance of camera stores and the availability of second hand kit and film. I stocked up on Fuji Acros 35mm – at about 60% of the UK price. (as news arrives of its imminent disappearance..)

Shinjuku and Ginza are districts that don’t seem to stop and are probably most like the image many people have of Tokyo before visiting. There’s the architecture…

The taxis are classy looking 80’s styled Toyotas. They are however bloody expensive, so it was exterior shots only.

acros ginza taxis

Tokyo Taxis, Ginza

There are many eating options – local as well as global burgers

acros_tokyo_shinjuku_standupsushi — stand up for the sushi, Shinjuku

And claw grabbing is a local pastime..

acros_tokyo_shinjuku_toys — restocking the minions

Of course, at some point Godzilla was going to make an appearance

acros_tokyo_shinjuku_godzilla — Cinema and Godzilla, Shinjuku

Kit was Fuji Acros 100 and the ever reliable Nikon F60.

Tokyo: Taiko

March 28, 2018March 27, 2018Ian McC1 Comment

Taiko is traditional Japanese ensemble drumming – a full-on percussion experience with visuals to match. These were shot in Ueno Park, Tokyo on a Sunday afternoon but there are all sorts of shows, classes and competitions to go and watch and take part in Taiko.

km400_tokyo_taiko3 — A wee hand held drum

km400_tokyo_taiko7 — Traditionally a male dominated art – not any longer.

km400_tokyo_taiko5 — Calm before the storm

These shots were taken on Kentmere 400 film – cheap and cheerful but very grainy on scanning (they do sit nice and flat though..).

It does however do a much nicer darkroom print.

cof — very ungrainy darkroom print – Ilford Multigrade RC Matt

And of course, when in Tokyo – give it a go yourself.

taiko2 — Me and Taiko teacher Oskar. He’s the one on the right…

Kit: Nikon F60 with Kentmere 400.
Me and Oskar shot on a Huawei phone

Tokyo: Street Portraits

March 26, 2018Ian McCLeave a comment

Candid street portraits are one thing – asking to take a picture is another. And there’s no harm in asking, especially if the subject is willing or doing something to attract attention.

Or if you’ve just had the third consecutive lunch in his restaurant. The Shinjuku district of Tokyo is coming down with cafes and restaurants – many at inflated tourist prices. There are however plenty of cheap noodle bars – often without any English menus or signage. This particular place had a vending machine to select from a picture which then printed out a ticket. You give the ticket to the guy in the photo and he’s cooks up some noodles. No need to speak – just some positive body language, a smile and a thumbs-up. After the third day, I asked to take the photo. He obliged.

Then there are those who are on public display. The guy above hangs around Shibuya station with his signs. Other than that I’ve no idea what he’s about, but he likes his photo taken.

The girl below was intent on selling me a t shirt. I resisted. I’m a bit old for Mickey Mouse which she seemed to eventually agree.

All above shot on the Nikon F60 and Fuji Acros 100. Having an old film camera also seems to help with street portraits

Tokyo: Shibuya

March 25, 2018Ian McCLeave a comment

acrso waiting shibuya — The Crossing: *Nikon F60, Acros100*

There aren’t many places you visit just to cross a road. We’ve loads of crossings in Northern Ireland – press a button, wait until a green man appears then dander across the road. Occasionally this will involve a car or two stopping and perhaps a few other pedestrians. Certainly nothing for tourists.

The Shibuya district in Tokyo has one of the biggest crossings in the world. Roads from all directions get a red light and then it’s a pedestrian free for all.

acros crossing shibuya — Crossing the crossing. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

It is of course best seen from above – there is a ridiculously packed Starbucks overlooking the crossing – the phone is best to record this this.

There is of course more to the Shibuya district than a pelican crossing no matter how big assed and busy it is. It’s a vibrant shopping, eating and socialising area making it great for street shots.

tokyo marlboro men shibuya — Marlboro Men of Shibuya. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

Acros_tokyo queuing at Wendys — Queueing for a traditional Japanese Wendy burger. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

acros bariki — Signage. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

aCROS TOKYO SHIBUYA BUNTING — Bunting. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

tokyo scenwe — Shibuya street scene and a Barcelona FC fan shop… *Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100*

tokyo taxi — Tokyo Taxi . *Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100*

acros windows — Shopping *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

acros shibuya night1 — Night shopping *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

acros shibuya evening — Struggling handheld at night on 100 ISO. *Nikon F60, Acros 100*

no music — True. *Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100*

Queens

March 24, 2018March 24, 2018Ian McCLeave a comment

I’ve always had mixed feelings towards the Queen’s area in Belfast. I grew up around this part of Belfast and it’s got an undoubted charm, but as a graduate of the University, studying there was nothing special – dull and uninspiring, even. Maybe it’s an age thing but I’ve had much more productive learning through part time study and of course, through life experience.

Still, it’s one of the city’s nicest areas for a walk with the camera. These were shot on a Canon T70 (underrated and not the slightest bit ugly) and Ilford HP5+, not too grainy and a pleasure to scan.

quad2

Queen’s has Belfast’s leading Art House Cinema and while there’s always an eclectic mix of films on show, the seating is most uncomfortable and at my last visit, I surprisingly witnessed numerous Wittertainment Code Violations.

theol — Theological College for non-factual study…