Some thoughts on Glasgow

So, here is my new blog. The aim here is to post my favourite photos and give a little background on how and where they were taken, what appeals to me and to invite comment.

I'll start with this shot above. It was taken on a hot Saturday afternoon at the wrong end of Argyle Street. Anyone familiar with Glasgow will know that once you pass the Tesco Metro you start heading into the East End. This area is traditionally Glasgow's poorest quarter. I used to live there and it is a far cry from the 'Scotland With Style' ad campaign the council launched a couple of years ago. Poverty, crime and a low life expectancy are common in these areas. Personally, I think that despite all the publicity drives and 'City of Culture' accolades Glasgow has many social problems which tend to get swept under the carpet. Perhaps this is true of any city, but outside of Northern Ireland you won't find many places which cling so readily to sectarian chanting, marching and violence. Also, some parts of Glasgow have a lower life expectancy than Angola and the terrible health record of Scotland as a whole has been much talked about.

I think reactions I have had to this photo are in some ways similar to the attitude to Glasgow's problems. Most people on looking at it find the subject funny - she is fat, she is wearing a small top. The pair are dismissed as Neds or Chavs. Giving the shot only a cursory glance leads to a cheap laugh. But what about her poor quality clothes? They are young people - are they ever going to escape from their lifestyle, hanging around town on a Saturday afternoon? I realise that this is only a moment in their lives, but to me it looks like they are trapped living in an unforgiving city.