I left the house with high hopes. Camera in bag and bike under foot, I zoomed up to the Internet cafe to do my printing (neither word nor the printer works on my computer).
I stopped for a while, trying to figure out what I would do as a photography project. I decided to chase around Portsmouth taking pictures from a cyclists point of view. The idea was to start off from Elm Grove and then taken pictures of places like the museum, Gunwhalf, and more deprive areas like Landport and Sommerstown, all whilst paying particular attention to the transportation and facilities for cycling.
The museum was inspired by something someone in the archives and museums that working class people could be intimidated by middle class institutions such as museums and archives.
When I got to the museum I took pictures of the old record office and the sign 'This is your Museum and it is Free' out the front of the museum. Its a great entrance. At Gunwhalf I tried hard to get the huge expensive tower block in the same shot as the council housing, but not sure I quite managed it. I only had a throw away camera in any case. I cycled down to the Guildhall and took pictures of a group of young people with disabilities playing instruments, surrounded by multicoloured banners. I felt some local pride at this.
I did my shop at Tesco's and then finished up the film with some pictures of the shop itself. It was once voted the worst building in the country, I think, as it really looks like a car park, not a shop. I ran out of film as I was coming up to Sommer's town. Instead of focusing on the obvious poverty, I decide to try and find positive aspects of the area. That will have to wait until I get a new camera and more time.
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