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Today was the Frui Mystery Day and we'd been told it would be an extra special one. We congregated at Waterloo at the allotted hour, were handed our gold envelops and discovered we were heading for Ascot Racetrack. I'd never been horse racing before and rather wish I'd bought a hat or perhaps an elaborate fascinator. But of course warning me to be so attired would have spoilt the surprise! As a bonus it's a bit nearer to home than a usual mystery jaunt so when we return with weary shutter fingers I can be safely tucked up pouring over the days shooting all the quicker.

When I realised that it was tricky to photograph the actual races due to their distance from us and all the barriers I resorted to being obsessed with the horses being paraded before the race, especially trying to get a good horseshoe shot and the races badges being worn by the officials.

Despite not knowing of the hat-wearing location I did find a beautiful hat to add to my collection. Not very Ascot but at least it’ll keep me warm.

There were many great characters that our group were mainly focusing on, a plethora of tweeds, plenty of Barbour waxed accoutrements and bowler hats. As usual I eschewed the people shots and zoomed in on the detail instead.

 

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Day 48 : taking the time!

The intrepid photographers have been lured into one of the several retro sweetshops lining the windy lanes of Rochester. The thoughts of Sour Apple Cubes, Sherbet Fountains, Cola Pips, Space Dust, Liquorice Laces and Cinder Toffee drew us in away from capturing the castle we’d been planning to. On leaving that little school days moment, clutching our crumpled paper bags there is an artist painting a picture of said sweetshop, totally dressed as you would if you were going to a fancy dress party as an artist. Outside also is an old man, looking rather dapper with a wonderful charismatic face. LA starts talking to him and asks if he can take his portrait. I can tell he’d make a great photo but I'm not inspired enough to lift my camera to my eye because it’s not generally the sort of photo I'd take.

The elderly gentleman mentions he’d like to include his pocket watch in the portrait. And in that moment, if there was any doubt how LA and my photographic influences differ, I immediately step forward to take a macro shot of his hand in fingerless gloves holding the watch (closed in my previous post) and open exposing the intricate workings here. LA gets him to pose looking stately, holding his watch proudly and has probably captured an amazing, touching portrait as is his wont. I’ll have to make do with the gold watch glistening in his palm.

 

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Storming the castle

After the eccentricity and garishness of Chinese New Year this morning in the gaudy streets of Chatham we were after a change of scene. We were getting rather chilled so headed back towards the station but then carried on in the other direction and found the entirely different world of Rochester, winding cobbled streets, quaint boutiques, retro sweetshops and a cathedral.

After fortifying ourselves and much banter about our mystery morning over a fine Sunday lunch to carried on a little further to catch the setting sun casting its golden light on the walls of the castle.

And finally before taking our weary and cold bones home, grabbed a few shots of the sparkling water under the last vestiges of the day’s light.

 

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Chasing the dragon

Frui haven't run one of their mystery days for months now so I was keen to congregate again at a London train station and receive our mystery assignment. Today’s plan was to travel to Rochester Station photograph the late Chinese New Year celebrations in Chatham in the morning and then after a pub lunch head into Rochester to check out the castle and environs.

This morning’s challenge was to try and avoid just photographing the parade itself and turn the lens to crowd, the streets and the general detritus surrounding such an event.

I did take pictures of the other photographers and the increasing clumps of people congregating in the streets flanked by the mostly cheap and gaudy shops but the lure of the vibrancy of participants of the parade and their interaction with the crowds intrigued me most.

I liked the fact that some of the costumes were intricate and elaborate and then others were definitely not. Some of the routines were obviously well rehearsed, the elderly Chinese group elegantly demonstrating their t’ai chi moves counterpointed with the sharp cracks of their fans, the spiralling gyrations of the dragon and the exuberant lion dance. There was a sullen group in dark grey and black carrying an oddly formed snake. Various local martial arts groups had turned out to promote their clubs and an incredibly bubbly pink satin clad dance troupe who never tired of posing for the cameras though I didn't spot any dancing from them.

There were several mayors and mayoress all decked out in their robes heading the parade and attempting to deliver an inspirational speech to the masses but sadly it just couldn't be heard at all above the general cacophony and even the performers themselves were chatting during the efforts.

It was a burst of colour in a strangely uninspiring place, once the parade dissipated we reconvened to decide on our next photography opportunities.

 

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