I'm sending happiness.

Another Dublin randomer that I met recently.
I went to explore some new areas on the North side that I have not taken any photographs at yet. It was more of a quick reconnaissance mission, but it's always when you least expect it that something happens.

He spotted me taking this frame of the I'm sending happiness poster, and the sales & repairs sign. Yes I know spot the irony kids, it's all very Walker Evans.
He approached me to know what the story was.
I said I'm just taking pictures.
What for.
For myself.
He then pointed out that the beat up old Nikon I use looks like something I found in a skip. Funny bloke. But he's right believe it or not the camera I use for 90% of my personal work (until my Leica) was actually found in a bin. It was being thrown out of on old darkroom lab. So for all those people who are starting out in photography and just bought shiny new auto everything DSLR's thinking that it will make them take better photo's hahahahahah suckers. Start using crap equipment first before you jump into buying something serious. Baby steps as they say.

I talked to him for about fifteen minutes before I asked him could I take his photo, although I don't like that term "take".
He said I look like Zidane, not the first person to say that. He then proceeded to discuss football. I'm surprised how up to date on the premiership he was, for someone who lives without TV ? Or is it wrong of me to presume that. He use to work for Guinness in shipping and the merchant marines. Those are good paying jobs with pensions, but I didn't ask how he ended up in his current homeless situation.

Mind you he seemed happy enough.

Sir Leica Lot

This bad ass motherfucker just arrived today.

I can't wait to try this out. See what all the fuss is about. All I can say is I see great prospects with it.

For now all I got is an old Summitar lens from the forties as far as I know. I'll just have to get some Summicron magic. I was thinking a Summicron 35mm. Then a bessa 50 and 28mm.
I paid a few hundred euro's for a rangefinder and another couple of hundred for a red dot that says Leica.

Despite some of the most famous photo's of the 20th century taken with one of these, also some of the worst photos ever made have been taken with them as well.

I nearly hate the red dot snob brigade as much as I hate the DSLR 200m lens street shooter gang. There is a certain pub in Dublin where every Tuesday night various retired bankers , doctors etc, meet up and dicuss street shooting all the fancy Leica glass they own. None of them could take a picture to save their lives.

I could have got a Bessa r4m for half the price, but a poor mans Lieca is a poor mans Leica no matter what way you look at it.

I sold some valuables to get this, but I stand by my choice.