Ugh, Glasgow was looking mighty depressing on this day. I’m trying to get into the habit of carrying my camera everywhere, and let’s be realistic—in Glasgow that means a lot of dreary shots like this.
Buchanan Street
It’s been a while since I took to the street with my 135mm, and with a shoot falling through last minute but the overwhelming itch to use my camera, street photography seemed the next best option. I forgot how much I enjoy snapping random faces in the crowd.
BRB. In New York.
As if you didn’t already know, considering I haven’t shut up about it since booking my 8 day, New York ‘vacation’ in July. I’m staying with a friend I’ve known for 20 years. My only friendship of any length over, like, 5 years.
Despite having visited New York before, this is turning out to be quite a different vibe as I’m kicking about with people who actually live here, staying in Brooklyn and riding the subway regularly, and going to places a little off the beaten path.
A Glasgow Tradition
I guarantee you that every time you pass the Duke of Wellington statue at Royal Exchange Square, there will be a traffic cone atop its head. It has become a Glasgow landmark. As Wikipedia puts it: “Capping the statue with a traffic cone has become a traditional practice in the city, claimed to represent the humour of the local population and believed to date back to the first half of the 1980s if not before.”
It’s Not The Weekend…
… Until you’ve busted out your camera. That’s how I feel anyway. It’s such a pleasure to awake on a Saturday morning and know that I don’t have anything to do. No jobs, no meetings, no arrangements. Totally free to self indulge. Yesterday was one of those days, so I took my dog, Indie, into the city and did some street shooting (much harder when you have an over zealous dog on the lead).
Town was jumping and so there was no shortage of interesting characters. I still find I can be apprehensive with street photography. Sometimes it seems that everyone is so aware of me, it doesn’t matter how busy it is. I find it hard to blend into the background with such a big camera and lens, and I don’t think Indie was helping matters with her pigeon chasing antics. I did okay this time. I was a good ninja.
Off-Duty Santas and Christmas Shoppers
It’s Christmas Eve. Hiya Santa. What are you getting? I think he’s bringing me a Kindle. Yesterday I headed into Glasgow for a spot of last minute shopping. It was pretty hectic, surprisingly more so than today. I saw a couple of undercover Santas, but mostly just grumpy people. Everyone seems grumpy at Christmas. People I follow on Twitter are complaining, folk I follow on Tumblr are whining. Apparently 2011 was a ‘bad’ year. Well, it isn’t going to change with 2012, because guess what? It’s not a numerical thing – it’s life. It’s up and down regardless of what year we’re in, so shut it.
Whew, went off on a tangent there. Merry Christmas!
The Christmas Market
I’ve had a hard time feeling festive this year. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been so busy with work. Usually I take time off at Christmas to slow down and reflect, but I won’t be doing that this year. Or I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve moved to a new apartment where family rarely visit me, therefore I’ve decided to skip on the Christmas decorations.
With that said, I spent most of Saturday at Glasgow’s Christmas market, where I stocked up on mulled wine, Amaretto punch and other festive flavours. I took my 135mm for some street photography, but I actually got pretty tipsy and only snapped a few frames. Oops.
Street Shots on Halloween Weekend
While shopping around for my Halloween costume (which is so far a secret, but I can reveal it is of course video game themed), I took my camera into town for some candid, street photography. I’ve been really digging street stuff lately; you never know what you’ll come away with or who you’ll see. Today I came across a parade of men dressed as penguins, as well as a group of kilted gentlemen.
Glasgow Skyline
I had been wanting to visit Glasgow’s Lighthouse since I moved back here. It basically gives you a 360 degree vantage point of the city. Here’s one of the shots I took. Glasgow isn’t pretty, but I love it.
Sunday in the West End
Today was one of those perfect Sundays; beautiful weather and an impromptu meet-up with a friend at Kelvingrove park. It’s strange, but walking a mere 15 minutes from my house makes me feel like I’m completely outwith Glasgow. Or at the very least it makes Glasgow feel less like a city. The real estate is completely different to the area I live in, I just found it all really charming.