The homework for this week's photo-class is 'shock me/horror'.
These pictures pay homage to the work of Arthur Fellig, better known as Weegee, who was an American newspaper photographer working in the 1930s to the 1950s. He's best remembered for his garishly flash-lit crime scene pictures.
I used black and white settings on my camera, pushed to the extreme for maximum contrast. The post-production work followed a similar line to bring out a film noir feel, exploring moods of pessimism, fatalism, and menace.
There are signs by each of the gates of Birmingham Cathedral which read, 'Join the Friendliness Revolution. Permission to Smile'.
Regrettably, it appears not to have been read by the vast majority of passers-by.
Thankfully, there are one or two exceptions ...
Just a short walk through Birmingham city centre on the way to meet a friend for lunch. So much beauty to be seen, but so many people blind to it. I find it sad the mobile phone dominates modern life. Constant bleeps and flashes and distractions.
I was speaking to a middle-aged man the other day who confessed he was scared to go out without his phone. Why?!!!
Stop, breathe, take a look around - there's a beautiful real world to be explored each and ever day.
