Shelby .....

..... and Libbie.

Today I've had a trip in to Bradford to visit the Tom Wood exhibition at the Nationa Media Museum. If you're anywhere near Bradford between now and the middle of June I'd highly recommend a visit, it's a stunning exhibition. There were some write ups by Tom wood about his photography and one of them about his beginings taking street portraits made me smile with recognition~

'This is not candid photography. Most of my early portraits resulted from me asking someone if I could photograph them, but I was shy, so it was often difficult for me. I imagine they could sense my nervousness and perhaps my genuine interest in them as individuals.

Most people I asked tended to allow me to photograph. Taking the photograph involved me looking down in to the viewfinder, hiding my shyness to an extent and sometimes I even looked away as I pressed the shutter.'

After the exhibition I had a wander up to the market to visit my favourite cafe in Bradford for a cuppa and some cake but it was closed and surrounded by security as there was a rather large film crew in there. Someone else obviously appreciates it's 70's stylings.

I instead had a wander around town and after being inspired by the exhibition took a few street portraits including this one of Shelby and Libbie. I noticed them walking across City park as it was hard to miss Shelby's hair. A couple of local yobs were shouting ( not very nice things ) at them, but they either didn't hear, or chose to ignore them. I asked if I could take a photo and they were more than happy to pose. I never tell people where to stand or how to pose when I ask for photos and am surprised at how few people smile, but I quite like it.

I've put a few more photos from today here. As they were kind enough to stop and pose for this photo, today's blip is .....


..... Shelby and Libbie.