The end-of-year reviews get earlier every year. Some even start their round-ups at the beginning of November. While there is a month to go before the end of 2023, I still reckon December is the best time to reflect on what happened in this year before thoughts of the next come to dominate. This week I want to share my year in photos.
I took a lot of photos this year. Thousands. From these, I selected a hundred that I liked and whittled these down to fifty-two. The criteria for what photos make the cut are simple: they have to either grab me or feel significant in some way. To aid the reader, I have grouped them into four slightly overlapping groups: Street Photography, Portraits, Art World, and Architecture.
Street Photography
I love the randomness of street photography, particularly in Glasgow where there is always something interesting going on. Street photography forces you to be alert to the world. It’s almost a form of mindfulness meditation.
Strange green smoke emanates from a bar. The hooded youth gather to observe.
More smoke. This time a precautionary automated fire safety measure in an empty supermarket.
Protestors against COVID lockdowns have seamlessly turned into protestors against 15-minute cities and low-emission zones.
Taking a moment amidst the noise of the counter-protest to Posie Parker.
Posie Parker and supporters in George Square.
Even zombies need to check their messages on the Subway.
Pink stetson salesman
Different tables, same hat. At the CCA before the cafe closed due to strike action.
Parkrunners in the snow. This was taken yesterday!
Portraits
This year I have been trying to get more confident in asking people if I can take their picture. I want to create an honest connection with a person and learn how to put them at ease. My inspiration for this is the brilliant Simon Murphy, who gave me a brief masterclass in portrait photography after I interviewed him.
Simon Murphy after I spoke with him ahead of his blockbuster exhibition at Street Level Photoworks.
A self-portrait with a plant pot on my head, shortly before I cut my hair.
Self-portrait at the Ludwig Museum in Cologne, possibly suffering from Stendhal’s Syndrome.
A wordless encounter with a man who wanted to surround himself with pigeons.
Alongside the BBC, STV, and Channel 4, I was invited along to the press launch for Rachel Maclean’s Mimi store in Ayr. I mixed with the newspaper photographers and didn’t totally embarrass myself with this portrait of Maclean.
What I love about the art world is that it is full of people who are willing to create something where once there was nothing. If you think art is so bad, what would you put on the wall if someone asked you to fill a space in an exhibition?
Banksymania took over Glasgow this year. Phones were banned in the exhibition but there was a room just before you left where you could try your hand at graffiti.
Featuring in the year in photos for the second time running is Elina Bry, whose performance at Market Gallery was a lot of fun, particularly when it engaged the locals.
These photies are class, Neil. You have a fine eye for patterns and detail. The street scenes are great, and I loved the M8 cone!
These are all great but I really love the street scenes