POSTCARDS FROM T O B S

Ive decided to bring more varied content into the T O B S (theotherbondstreet)

PLATFORM C3, LIVERPOOL STREET

Liverpool street, two years ago, two groups of pedestrians standing on one platform one group per foto. Each group is shot separately. Compartmentalised until they are physically placed side by side and juxtaposed in such a way that elements are geometrically balanced and aligned to create one narrative.

What story do you see? Can you see a bigger picture?

AIM

to tell one story using two frames of seemingly unrelated slices of life at a particular moment on the underground… to describe a bigger picture. The story is made apparent by the various gestures, nuances and idiocycratic categories, even stereotypes to cast and visually choreograph the scene.

The next Step- IDEAS FOR THE PRINTS

The fotos are unedited at present other than composition and alignment choices.

perhaps editing both frames differently so the narrative can be more apparent and guides the eye through the two fotos become one story.

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Forgotten

Forgotten...
the story of the Amputee Football Club of Freetown and me...

Over the last 7 years I have been developing as a humanitarian photographer. I am engaged in a long term project which could help the situation for a group of unusual and inspirational people who where victims of the amputation campaigns.

The unlikely story of a group of amputees who against all odds are playing professional football, the last choice one might expect from severely handicapped young men who were maimed as children who were expected to live a life of immobility, marginalization and suffering...

What makes them unusual is that they have undergone the worst the world at war had to offer as children.  So much so that they were left with permanent physical  reminders of when hell was visited upon them.  I'm of course taking about amputees of Freetown, Sierra Leone.  

During the war in Sierra Leone rebels embarked on a campign of torture, masacars and systemic amputations.  The rebels said the limbs were hacked off to make a specific political statement about voting.  The message "keep your hands out of politics" to frighten people from voting.  They blame the people for voting for the government of the time... so because of this they are punished in order to spread terror and reluctance to take part in the democratic process.  The significance of specifically targeting limbs was due to the fact that the voting process involves making a finger print, simple biometric finger prints were used to cast your vote therefore if you had no hands then you had no fingers and without fingers you have no finger prints.

The portraits above celebrate the fact that despite the campaign of terror people went out and voted evidenced by the ink still visible on their fingers.

A few weeks before I was due to travel I was researching the country and it's history. I would discover this shocking story of post independence tragedy. Greed and War had pretty much brought the country to its knees.   

In 2012 I would read a story while doing research for an upcoming humanitarian assignment in Sierra Leone. In fact it was the first ever professional international humanitarian assignment working with an NGO on behalf of the United Nations.

Angie Brooks International and UN Women had invited me to travel to Freetown to cover the 2012 democratic Presidential elections.  My role was to be that of an Observer/ photographer.  I believe I was the first to hold that particular role.  

Students had all they're documentation burnt in front of them before cutting off they're handset the wrist.
This was a holocaust where an entire generation was targeted.
Prior to the war 80% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Sierra Leone is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of mineral Resources and a relatively small population.

Diamonds, Gold and other minerals.  tantalite (material used in the manufacture of mobile phones)  all these resources were being exploited and taken out of the country.

Ironically all the areas that are being mined are poor & lack even basic amenities.

The areas of the country that yield the most resources to the diamond oligarchs and war lords are the ones that live in the worst conditions. Sadly this is a story repeated all over Africa where riches are found...

It's a paradox that anyone regardless of education or cultural background can clearly  see.

For me I simply cannot keep seeing  things I know are unacceptable and just shrug it off.  I have lost the ability to ignore this stuff.

This is a massive problem far beyond me and something that can only be solved with huge shifts in our thinking.

The most important thing for me is to find something that isn't beyond me and can make some kind of positive change to someone. If I can find a way to be part of a solution to something then at least I can sleep at night knowing that I'm doing something... Right now "something" is a 100% improvement on my current position.

It's true what they say... " You can't unsee the truth" and once LIT it's difficult to go back to  the familiar shade of ignorance.  

This is what has been occupying my time and my mind.  This story is now part of my reality. I sought it out not knowing what to expect, only that I wanted to do something to be part of it...  

Now that I am. I have no other choice but to follow through on my promise not to give up trying to make something happen...

That was 5 years ago to the day almost. Since that time... I have been benefiting from the entire experience in many ways. Apart from waking me up and inspiring me to never give up on the things I have been working for but also my portfolio.

One of the biggest personal benefits & opportunities to get LIT was the opportunity to speak at TED X, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria alongside some of the brilliant minds and technocratic leaders in Nigeria... The  subject ;

"How Creativity Can Change the World..."

This has given me a sense of purpose and I can see the possibility of it doing the same for many more as well as improving the lives of those that inspired it and paid the ultimate sacrifice for it. They deserve a return on that investment...

attention

Your attention is critical for the next phase. So if you're reading this still and it resonates with you on whatever level, then please take some kind of action.  This is not just a fundraising exercise... In fact it's not that at all. It's an appeal for help a mission to build a team to put their energy behind this project. We are looking for contribution of skills, solutions and energy from anyone with the capacity and desire to actually step up and be part of something good... bigger than ourselves.

Being part of the solution certainly feels a damn side better than the reward-less, mundane lives most of us are living. Materialism, is not fulfilling it's promises as it professed...

However we can hold ourselves to a higher standard, keep our promises and finally... Help someone who deserves it...

Right now... Sitting in your pocket.... You actually  have the power to do some serious good...  especially if you are a creative you are uniquely positioned to offer more in this age of ideas and innovation.

What Choice Do I have? I'm only one person...? 

That's the old thinking. It may have had some truth to it at some point... but today the answer is "more choice than you can shake a stick at... " (old school slang for "plenty")

You get the point I hope...

One last thing...

This is a massive deal to me and I need your help... If you have a portrait of yourself  that I made with you and for you free of charge and you are genuinely happy with it, of it brings a smile to you or your mum loves that one in particular, then this is your chance to do something that transcends simple transactions then take action.

You can;

    Share this post with people who you think might be  interested and useful.

    Link it to  your own blog / website etc.

    Message me with some feedback / advice 

 
    Work with me as a volunteer of some description...

    Pledge financial support for project related expenses (when the time comes)

    Help us in any way you feel you can...

The most valuable contribution by far is your time and energy...

Although money is important, its not the only factor, we are trying to find real solutions to long-term matters. Patnerships from companies who can bring their expertese to the project.

  Income generating ideas and Non- exploitative partnerships

flogging- I got excited because I thought I made up the word... "flogging"

A Brief History of  Blogging - "*The word blog itself is a play on the words Weblog, as most blogs will be displayed in a journal or log entry format, where most are updated daily or more frequently than most Web sites would be.

see History of Blogging

I have always wanted to have a proper blog.

One that actually reflected my real thoughts.  Since I have been focused on the business side of my workflow, i research all I can find on entrepreneurship and business current marketing practice.

TBH I was actually a bit disappointed with what's going on ...much of it leaves me feeling dirty, moving away from authenticity and into a kind trickster mentality.  It's like As soon as money becomes a factor, it becomes the only factor...for some. These so called marketers are almost the exact antithesis to the creative. making "pop ups" that appear right when you're trying to open a page or click on that "free" video link your friend gave you

You spend the first few minutes desperately trying to close all these "shinks" (shitty links) before they open fully.  The little "X" you have to click to close the shinks are getting smaller, making it harder to close quickly.

I'm not sure if marketers realize that no one is deliberately consuming these "shinks".  I'm sure marketers themselves don't click on similar "shinks" when they surf the web at home. so why they think anyone else is is beyond me.

Research becomes a case of vetting first. Make sure you are reading actual knowledge and genuine resources.

When I read about targeting your "consumers" the market and email landing pages Masquerading as "useful  content " like a "how to" ebook. In reality they work as funnels where you may have to click on a certain button to receive the e book that attracted you in the first place...

I believe this is disingenuous and takes the notion of "choice" away and  once the button is clicked you are now on a predetermined path. Leading you to the checkout.  These strategies are known as;

**Flogs**

fake + blog = flog

A flog is a blog "ghostwritten" by a marketing department who's aim is to ensnare, funnel & trick the reader into purchasing something.

These #marketing ~~strategies~~ scams play on human psychology & knowledge about how people react to certain stimuli.

These #funneling systems are duplicated all over the web.  They obviously work for now.

I don't want to have to trick people into buying my work or enjoying my content.  This would be the exact opposite of the kind of person I want to present to the world.

Fortunately I'm not the only one who sees this.  People are waking up in general... Many of us are taking responsibility for what we consume.  We are seeking quality over random free content that add no value. 

#Storytelling has become one of the most sought after types of Content we are consuming.  Genuine stories that engage us & can evoke a feeling within. Stories that move us to act. Stories that make us grow. Stories that change our minds and enlighten.  Stories have the power to create or destroy. They can add something or take something away. 

And now with the arrival of social media  & the technological advances in computing, we now have a whole new set of tools to create, share and affect each other on a global scale...

From the perspective of the storyteller, it is a challenge to produce work at this level. It often requires us to give something of ourselves. Vulnerability seems to be a factor in that process. Putting some truth out about yourself or your views for others to judge.  Handing part of your emotional wellbeing over to the public. They have the power to condem or praise.  Often in real time.

**The Love Matters**

If a creative tells you they don't care either way...then I would probably call bullshit on that because really this is what matters most.  There's no better feeling than the positive reaction from your audience.  When they direct positive energy and love toward you because your work resonates with them.  Applause, comments, likes, emails of thanks or praise.

The most profound for me is when someone actually tells you how you somehow changed their lives for the better.  The feelings that result from this type of interaction are crazy. More powerful than any drug.  You are affected on an energetic and cellular level...

At best It evolves you...

Useful links

[Vulnerability](https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?utm_source=tedcomshare&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tedspread) - The Power of Vulnerability -  TED talk

She got LIT...

#litpeople #storytelling #onlythelit

This is the best expression I have ever seen  #streetfoto  #theotherbondstreet 

Sx

Aquila are onboard...almost

As some of you may know we have been in talks since last week when Aquila, developers of bond street contacted me to say they were interested in theotherbondstreet project.  In fact, their exact words were "we love theotherbondstreet".  This was a revelation for me as it meant that finally there was some validation for the over 3-year project.  More than that t connection could literally represent the point at which the corporate world, led by Aquila made a real admission/ realisation that creativity matters when it comes to conveying messages to your clients and potential clients even the public at large.  Any company that does projects which impact the lives of people in a community it is important to have good relations with said community.  The social media has meant that people can express their views about companies that affect them...good or bad.  good or bad they will be shared and discussed by many people.  We are in a more dynamic age where the people have a lot more power than before, making it necessary to be transparent & ethical when going about your business.  

Bin Bag Builder

This means that if you are doing good things that go above and beyond especially in respect of keeping the site and areas around the site spotless by literally tidying up as they went along...These behind the scenes stories are worth drawing peoples attention to...because they demonstrate how they went about keeping the environment clean... The fact that we actually have imges that show them actually putting these things into practice (when they thought no one was looking) is a testament to the companies  genuineethical building practices....it is important to show people this otherwise its a wasted opportunity.

In fact, I would go as far as to say that rather than seeing the use of social media and visual storytelling as a campaign related activity it should be integrated into the daily operations of the business.  Woven into the fabric of corporate methodology or ethos.