What I miss about home is... Blackrock Market. Situated in the middle of Blackrock, the Market is a place I go back to whenever I am home. You can buy everything there, well, almost everything... but thats good enough for me.
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Blackrock Market #1
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Blackrock Market #2
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Blackrock Market #3
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Blackrock Market #4
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Blackrock Market #5
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Blackrock Market #6
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Blackrock Market #7
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Blackrock Market #8
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A truly wonderful piece of Ireland and a place where I could easily spend a fortune... and sometimes do!
Hi Noel,
ReplyDeleteI really like this series of mono shots which exude atmosphere. I’m finding it hard to pick a favourite by keep getting drawn to #7 with the shirts and its use of differential focus. #1 comes a close second though - I love the way the closed metal shutter acts as a barrier to hold the eye back from the shadows in the left and keep the focus firmly on the subject matter on the brighter part of the image.
As per usual your post got me thinking about similarities with Belfast again and I’m reminded of the former Smithfield market in the Belfast. It was an old Victoria market in Belfast’s City centre that was, alas, decimated by a firebomb attack during the Troubles. Now I can’t recall anything about that incident being only 3 at the time but I’ve seen images on TV and heard stories about its character from elders.
A set of prefab buildings went up in its place (which is the Smithfield market I recall) and, some 20 years ago or so, a new modern market building was put up near the former site but it’s a shadow of its former self. The power of the shopping centre / mall seems to have taken over these hubs of trade but I do love the character of these markets throughout our towns and cities.
…Geez, am I getting old before my age or what with that last comment? ;-)
Best wishes,
David
Hi Noel,
ReplyDeleteI really like this series of mono shots which exude atmosphere. I’m finding it hard to pick a favourite by keep getting drawn to #7 with the shirts and its use of differential focus. #1 comes a close second though - I love the way the closed metal shutter acts as a barrier to hold the eye back from the shadows in the left and keep the focus firmly on the subject matter on the brighter part of the image.
As per usual your post got me thinking about similarities with Belfast again and I’m reminded of the former Smithfield market in the Belfast. It was an old Victoria market in Belfast’s City centre that was, alas, decimated by a firebomb attack during the Troubles. Now I can’t recall anything about that incident being only 3 at the time but I’ve seen images on TV and heard stories about its character from elders.
A set of prefab buildings went up in its place (which is the Smithfield market I recall) and, some 20 years ago or so, a new modern market building was put up near the former site but it’s a shadow of its former self. The power of the shopping centre / mall seems to have taken over these hubs of trade but I do love the character of these markets throughout our towns and cities.
…Geez, am I getting old before my age or what with that last comment? ;-)
Best wishes,
David
Hey David,
ReplyDeletethanks for the words... nostalgia isn't what it used to be, sorry, had to get that in! I know what you mean about the markets. there was a great market off St. Stephens Green in Dublin called the Dandelion market, we used to sneak into the punk rock copncerts there when we were kids. It too is gone and a shopping mall to the great god of consumerism now stands in its place!
I think #7 is good, but only when it is read in context with the rest, as on its own its just a bunch of shirts! but it shows another aspect to the market. the market isn't huge, but it is good, very good. And as I say, you could spend a fortune there.
As for getting old, we'll I prefer the markets too, so that makes two of us!
All the best
Noel