Diallo And Friend

I had been meaning for some time to look into the new communities (Little Africa, China, Russia...) that have flourished in the inner city. I often noticed the shop windows of hairdressers (or grocers, clothes etc.) in Parnell St., with all the colourful pictures of smiling African women looking out, many of them apparently cut from magazines. I love the homemade appearance, the practicality and simplicity, the way each arrangement is utterly unique, completely the opposite of the ubiquitous, slickly corporeate images we're so used to.

Yesterday I finally made up my mind and pulled in near the hairdresser's I'd often passed. I stepped in and asked if they'd mind me taking shots from the outside. They didn't (but I should have asked permission to shoot indoors also; I was shy). I took a number of shots, some with REFLECTIONS, but probably the best is a closeup of THE DOOR, with its well-handled handle.

Then I met this guy (left in the main photo) who ran a sports shop (or maybe just a shoe shop) nextdoor with his friend, Diallo (the owner, I think). He was friendly, and happy to let me come in a take some shots. When I explained in some detail what kind of photographs I take (and why I take them) he and Diallo (right) allowed me to shoot some portraits. These men have powerful faces I think, very expressive.

I intend to go back soon, also to the Moore St., where many immigrants now run businesses. Hopefully this will take off as a project; I am a little weary of my cloud, sea, street and backyardscapes. I want to get more portraits (best photo I ever shot is a portrait, now on the cover of my book The Sky Road).

I did take some other shots though, such as THIS ONE, of the sky between weed-sprouting walls in an alley nearby. Ah, Sky, me old skin, I just can't get away from you.