Reading, Berkshire, UK / Discuss

Syd's Photography    says:

www.flickr.com/groups/670777@N21/


An alternative and quirky glimpse of Reading town, its people, events and places.

I have for some time now had the idea of a book titled Reading Between the Lines (a play on words). The idea being to present an alternative and insiders view of Reading. Often we are presented with a much sanitised and highly edited view of this town, its people and events by the local press. Much of the character of this town goes unsaid.

Over the last few years I have concentrated on capturing portraits of the many colourful characters in Reading and although I have taken hundreds to date, I feel I still have quite a way to go. These have been quite literally people out and about in Reading town. Also, Reading has a wealth of events that bring out the colourful character of the town. Reading Festival, The Water Festival, previously Womad, Fun Day and Reading Pride, to mention but a few.

Reading also has a not-so-cheerful side. Drug addiction and homelessness levels increase year by year. The often otherwise forgotten homeless citizens of Reading feature much in my photography in an attempt to highlight their plight. There are no night shelters or provisions in this town to deal with this ever increasing problem.

My aim is to have the Reading Between the Lines book published in 2009 in conjunction with a publicised local exhibition.

I invite you all to contribute in whatever way you can. Your photographs, interviews with local people, your thoughts and ideas. Photographs of local people, places and events are most welcome. Even Jackson's' infamous scary mannequins will be featured.

Syd
Posted at 4:23AM, 16 February 2008 PST ( permalink )