Chic Harper » snaps

March of the Mods

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:30:49 +0000

On Saturday 15 March 2014, members of the Dundee A92 Vespa Club gathered on the outskirts of Dundee before venturing northwards to join their Aberdeen counterparts in Duthie Park, Aberdeen.

Afterwards, they would ride in convoy up Great Western Road, before parking up to watch a special screening of Quadrophenia, then dancing the night away at a local club, no doubt to a medley of mod, ska and soul classics.

Below are a few shots showing the wonderful selection of meticulous machines on show. Wish I had one!

New old pics

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:06:29 +0000

Stored safely in our attic for years, I rediscovered an old file of negatives, mostly black and white 35mm, but also many sheets of two-and-a-quarter-inch-square negatives, shot on a waist-held YashicaMat, while I was a student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.

Subject matter ranges from photos of friends, college mates, girl friends, locations – including the Fife coast, a distillery, a shipyard and others – objects and things.

In my (limited) spare time, I’ve scanned the negatives on my flat bed Epson (4990 Photo) scanner and have been impressed by Photoshop’s ability to rescue some of the over- and under-exposed negatives, mostly by using Levels.

Below are a small selection. I’ll add to these as I work my way through the folder.

Iced Tay anyone?

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:41:02 +0000

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see the River Tay ice up this year, … but it was!
There was a mass of ice, particularly on the southern, shaded side of the river, between the two bridges and beyond. Here are just a few of my snaps as evidence.

70s flat

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 13:57:41 +0000

From the rolls of negatives rescued from my attic, these pics appeared. They were taken with a Horizont, a Russian camera that took a full 180 degree picture. I remember using it, to great effect, on a location shoot in Fettercairn but unfortunately I don’t know where those photographs went.

This selection here are of the flat in Step Row that I shared with Jim Marshall and artist Jack Morrocco in the early 70s, when we were all at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. The shot above shows a 22-ish me in the living room, where I had a bed in the alcove, behind the curtains. Jim must have taken this pic. I look pretty glum, but don’t I always!

These two are of Jim’s rather tidy student’s bedroom, decorated with its typical 70s posters, single wardrobe, radio, anglepoise and one-bar radiator. I thought it best not to record the state of Jack’s room!

Green top

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:20:00 +0000

On the way back from Perth this month, I captured some great clouds, as well as this pic, above, where I appear to have a lime green barnet!

Eye spy …

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:30:14 +0000

On our recent visit to The Big Smoke, we took in the Henry Moore exhibition at Tate Britain and Irving Penn at the National Portrait Gallery – both fantastic. Although Moore didn’t inspire me to take a chisel to a tree, Penn certainly got me snapping away in the city.

Here is a small selection, including shots of the Tate, the Eye, the Gerkin, Saatchi Gallery, Big Ben and … Wandsworth Town tube station?

Have a close look at the registration number of the blue plumber’s van that passed when I took the pic in North End Road market during a downpour. Neat!

Up Kinnoull Hill

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:36:56 +0000

These are more pics from the recovered old film out of my attic, this time from an art college shoot on Kinnoull Hill, Perth, circa 1972. The other photographer is Brian Galloway – spot the flairs – (www.gallowayphoto.co.uk), the model is Eleanor (forgotten her surname).

Teenage pics

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:47:15 +0000

Last year, whilst rearranging memorabilia (junk) up in our attic, I rediscovered a few old rolls of used black and white film that I reckoned I must have taken around my time at art college, as it was two-and-a-quarter-square format, taken on my Yashicamat (that I left on a train somewhere between Dundee and Kirkcaldy). Obviously curious to find out what exactly was on them, I took the rolls along to local photographer Malcolm Thomson who did a superb job of rescuing them from oblivion.

I was absolutely delighted when the subject matter turned out mostly to be of my skinny, young, beautiful wife-to-be, Elaine. Having now seen these images today for the very first time since viewing them through the camera lens over 35 years ago, I shudder to think that these could easily have been thrown out at any point during that time.

I find them so beautiful, charming and innocent, and they bring back so many memories of that time.

There were also a couple pics of me that Elaine had obviously insisted on taking! I attach one of them here for those of you who have taken the time to view all of the above. Ravenscraig Castle towers over me … and it’s Elaine’s bag, by the way! But the star is mine – ala David Essex! Sir is sporting a beige Lord John cardie with red stripes!

Maisie

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:53:41 +0000

We have a regular four-legged visitor to our home – Maisie. As you can see, she’s a beautiful grey tabby. She belongs to our new neighbours, but she obviously enjoys her excursions to other abodes.

Tay Bridge Sunset

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:35 +0000

There are some fantastic sunsets over the Tay all year round. These snaps were taken in mid-February, just after 6pm. As fortune would have it, a solitary swan decided to come over to investigate and get its picture taken in the process. Meanwhile, the orange float sat oblivious for the entire duration.