Posted in Street photography

BATALA

This image captures a performance by Batala, an international samba reggae drumming project.

  • Batala groups are known for playing high-energy drum music at carnivals and festivals worldwide. 
  • The performers wear distinctive red, white, and black patterned uniforms featuring African-inspired designs.

This particular performance took place in the Welsh, seaside resort of Barmouth, in April, 2014. It was a beautiful day as far as the weather was concerned and that meant lots of photo opportunities.

Posted in Street photography

Radical Policing

At first sight, the way this vehicle is parked might be dismissed as officers attending an urgent call. The nearby community office and the fact that the vehicle was parked there for several hours suggests otherwise.

The next reaction could be to assume it was yet another example of the thoughtlessness and inconsideration for pedestrians that we see from drivers who just dump their cars or vans across Greater Manchester footpaths.

On further reflection however, one might wonder if this was actually a bold attempt to boost pedestrian safety.

Reducing the dangers to the public caused by people who ride electric scooters and bicycles at high speed along footpaths can’t be easy. It’s difficult for police to identify offenders as the cycle or scooter has no number plate. Identifying the rider from cctv must be almost impossible if their faces are blurred by the high speed. To make things even worse, possibly because of the freezing Manchester weather, the riders are often wearing a balaclava.

If this is an attempt to slow down these electric scooters and bicycles, that can make exiting your front gate a frightening experience, then bravo.

In seriousness though, if you must ride your scooter or bike on a footpath, please consider the dangers to small children or animals who have little or no awareness of the dangers.