Details of People - street photos

I've always loved taking shots of people on the street and went out on a shoot for the first time in a very long time last Friday in Oxford. I discovered that street photography is so much easier with a digital camera. Wow. Instant. So here you are: Details of People.

 I just like the interaction in this photo - and the colour.

The white boots look really energetic and the brown boots battered and relaxed.

Loving this combination. 

 

 This just works somehow.

Through a jewellers shop window. I want his scarf.

Photos from the VM archive

I made it to Jessops and now have my archive on CD. Here is a selection I took back in the 1990s with real film. People and their environment.

Newspaper sellers by Glasgow Central - 1990

George Square, Glasgow - 1990

George Square, Glasgow - 1990

Portobello Road - 1992

Portobello Road -1992

Asilah, Morocco - 1994

Velvet Projects

I've been thinking and have even managed to write some of them down. A great achievement for one with brushed polyester paws. I've been thinking about a few projects that I'd like to do and I even have an official ideas book. I'd like to:

Paint a spot mural in the smallest room (downstairs toilet). I'm thinking white background and spots of different sizes and colours all over walls and ceiling. Could be a fairly long term one this.

Rediscover my archives and take some of my real photos to be digitalised.

Discover the detail in people. There are some wonderful details. I saw an amazing pair of blue trainers on the U1 bus this morning. Hi-tops. And jeans that were frayed at the back but had been carefully patched to cover the hole that you get when you wear your jeans a bit too long. I'll be off out with my camera.

Here are some things that I've been enjoying this week (besides bananas and pancakes):

Blogs that I like:
http://www.thesartorialist.com/
http://www.waywarddaughter.com/
http://www.louderthansilence.com/

Soundtrack to my week has been provided by Trombone Shorty and Delta Swamp Rock.

Rousseau and peanut butter

I thought I'd share a painting by Henri Rousseau with you. I love the way he paints jungle scenes, especially when he adds a monkey or two.

Peanut butter? Delicious with mashed banana on toast. Remember to add a squeeze of lemon juice to those bananas when you mash. And spread the peanut butter on first. Makes it easier.

I WENT TO LONDON AT LAST

And yes I am shouting. I had the best time.

Me, waiting for a tube train at Marble Arch.

Here I am at the Tate Modern. This is the Obliteration Room - can you SPOT me?

The Yayoi Kusama show was just fantastic. You weren't allowed to take photos but they wouldn't have been any good anyway. You have to go there - it is seriously good. Check out this link for some images of one of the best bits - the Infinity Mirror Room: http://inhabitat.com/infinity-mirror-room-yayoi-kusama-unveils-spectacular-space-lit-by-hundreds-of-leds/infinitymirroredroom-yayoi-kusama2/?extend=1

My paw slipped on my camera button whilst in this room...

I also loved the stuffed things and the cloud pillows. Yes, yes, I know they are meant have phallic under currents but I prefer just to take things as I see them and react to them not how anyone else thinks I should.

As a result am now thinking that my idea to paint a spot mural in the toilet room will go ahead. Fetch me my brushes...

But is it art?

Monkey's t-shirt, but where is he?

Vince why are you wearing Monkey's t-shirt?

Vince you do not need to pretend to be Monkey. Monkey is not better than you, he may be able to talk and move and make videos with Johnny Vegas, but Vince you are an artist. You can express yourself through other media. Putting Monkey in the freezer is not the answer (but is an interesting experiment and makes for a good photo - liking the kippers).

But is it art?

Dummy crush

Saw her in Oxford today. A rather cool dummy. If monkeys were humans would there be monkey dummies?

BTW, anyone seen Monkey recently?

Banana Custard

All this cold weather is making this monkey HUNGRY. Here's a tasty little number I scoffed tonight.

1. Get a perfectly ripe banana (see previous post).
2. Get a can of custard and open it.
3. If you want to take this a bit further get a pot of greek yoghurt and some chocolate sprinkles.
4. Peel the banana and slice into a glass.
5. Pour over some custard.
6. Top with a splat of greek yoghurt and sprinkle on those chocolate sprinkles.

Sit back and enjoy.

Bananas

I do like a good banana. It is essential that they are just the right shade of yellow before I will eat them - they have to be mainly yellow with a nice streak of green. Not too green or they will be hard to peel and even harder inside. Never, ever will I eat a banana that has become yellow with little brown spots. Bleugh. I have even seen people eating bananas that are almost completely brown. That is just plain disgusting. Do these people have no taste?

Anyway, the key to a perfect banana. Choose your bananas at the slightly too green stage and allow them to ripen to the perfect stage (see above). Then put them in the fridge. They will keep at the perfect stage for about 3 days. This amazing discovery means that I don't have to go banana shopping every day, leaving me time to pursue my other interests.

What happens if your bananas turn brown? RUN VERY FAST. 

Skip dipping

Taking part in a spot of skip dipping with Monkey. Not much good stuff in this skip, but great photo for Monkey's competition - will be posting it on Monkey's FB page.

Snow patrol

Just checking out exactly what the attraction of the white stuff is.

The rest of them went sledging. I went inside for a mug of hot chocolate with a marshmallow. I may be a monkey but I do not drink PG Tips.

Spots

....are winning. I just need to persuade my friend to take me.

Amazing colours

I love colour. Look at these pictures by Terry Frost. Gorgeous.

Google him and see lots more. Makes a monkey feel happy!

Willy Dreams...

One of my favourite books by one of my favourite illustrators, Anthony Browne. I read it tonight.

What's yellow and curved like a smile?

My favourite part of the weekly shopping trip. Look at them, beautiful aren't they?

Spots or not?

I am a monkey with a dilemma. Have just discovered that spot woman Yayoi Kusama has exhibition at Tate Modern. If I can only go to one exhibition should it be David Hockney or spot woman?