I must communicate the who – who I see.
Encounters with the other – with other people's lives -
when you get it right just for a moment – the intangible becomes tangible for a moment. It's a connection of warmth.
I jump in and smile at them – acknowledge the person somehow- then take a photograph.
Don't disturb -is my motto– get into their flow – their quirkiness and then slide out of the moment.
These unique people – characters- eccentric. I adore what is peculiar to an individual.
On the day of Mardi Gras in Sydney, it seems like daytime Hollywood.
People are creating the 5-second screen kiss in the streets.
The ordinary becomes "Extraordinary'.
When the moment is found -
The folk shine bright with glitter, sequins & feathers
The folk who might usually watch the box – step out.
They don't fit into a box anyway.
They'd be better off jumping out of a cake.
You can feel the streets pulsating.
People no longer waiting in the wings.
It's life's show, not the rehearsal.
Oxford St Gritty. The girls are so pretty, but the boys are prettier!
Passion is the fashion
Dress ups – no hang-ups
They come out and play and have their say.
I like taking photographs of a life less ordinary. Life's parade and we will march till it's over. Shine till you fade- but at least be sure to shine once brightly.
Feathers flew – a long way from the country towns and suburbs from which some people came. I had a chat with a boy from the country who was, of course, dressed like Dorothy – looking for the yellow brick road.
Misfits -who do fit
Follow the yellow brick road-
To the place, ordinary people can shine.
In this Hollywood Street Drama, everyone can have a cameo.
I like people who don't care what you think of them but remember to have fun.
Dreaming, beaming bright.
Explosion on colour in this life –where problems and horrors are rife,
beauty and the frivolous are a raft.
Beauty -glitter- sunlight
Even in the shade.
City Street of grey – but now an explosion of colour
It takes over the senses
No grey space
Remember that time of golden fun- before we came undone?
With parades, not protests.
Kissing not masks
hugs not distancing
Was it all a dream?
Photographing so we can remember -the days people danced and loved each other.
Free & alive
On the precipice of darkness, Covid
Fireworks before the dark
Slowly masked and sent indoors.
Danced and dance – till the music slowed and finally we all had to go.
Wit and passion
Electric emotion
Stars in the day-
Brighter at night – the embrace of life.
Be True.
Be You.
Stardust -Glitter in day & Stardust at night
People who know how to find delight.
Photographing people who know how to show their true colours
And their true colours are beautiful.
In the words of Cyndi Lauper – who is a piece of synchro destiny years prior
I met her at an airport baggage carousel when I was travelling up to Sydney & she was performing at a Sydney Mardi Gras.
She was friendly, open, humorous and excitable like many of my subjects.
