CSP 008 - Poetry about cars
What are we drawn towards?
Hey,
I was searching through my archive photos the other day and realised something quite interesting; there are themes and topics that catch my attention.
No doubt every photographer and artist is the same - they are drawn towards some topics, objects and themes - and repelled from, or disinterested in, others.
I’m stating the obvious of course (well, it’s obvious now in hindsight), but I’d never taken the time to peruse my photos from a distance.
In this post:
Solo Waffle
Poetry about a Volvo
Poetry about a Toyota
Often, I’m simply in the current selection of photos looking for ones to edit, or share, or use in my designs. So, I rarely take a step back and look from afar.
Even looking through Instagram is not too helpful either, as I don’t buy-in to the theme and consistency look that others go for; I simple share what’s interesting.
Yet, spending some time looking through the last 10 years of photos has given me a nice insight into what I’m interested in - at least when it comes to snapping photos.
They can be broken down quite neatly into a few categories:
Family and Holiday snaps
Cars
Old Buildings
Old/Cool/Interesting Signs
Food
Trees
Cows (yes, weird one this - but I do like to take pictures of cows)
Of course, there are other topics of photos nestled in there but these are the main types of photos I take. With a little more analysis it’s even been brought to my attention that there are themes within these themes - getting meta.
Food for example is not merely snaps of my lunch or tea - I don’t do that. Instead, I only tend to take photos of my food when on holiday or on a conference trip.
This, when looking at it from afar, is so obvious but I’d never really consciously realised that I only snap food and drink on holiday or travelling.
I don’t know why - I guess it’s to record the trip - and food is a big part of it (and drink). This was so evident that I’m including a “poster” of all the food snaps I’ve taken at conferences, in my forthcoming keynote presenting field guide I’m creating.
Old cars, the cooler the better - I rarely take photos of modern super cars. I like old cars. I like old building - and more specifically, the juxtaposition of old buildings against new building, infrastructure or tech.
I seem to like taking photos of cows too.
But most of my photography is scenery, or cars. Lots of cars.
Parents and Cars - how do kids view cars?
So, this brings me onto another creative and community project that I have on my growing backlog. It’s about parents and cars.
The premise was a free ebook (which I do plan on creating at some point) with stories, poems and observations about parents and cars. Two poems are below.
The bigger goal of the project was/is to create a local car meet up, where parents could bring their kids to share their passion for cars. Cool cars, old cars, fast cars or people carriers, doesn’t matter - just share the interest.
This would be purely a child focussed event. No stupid driving, no donuts, no blaring noise - just a safe place for kids to enjoy cars.
The interesting angle to this is that the kids would be encouraged to take photos and shoot film at the event.
They would then review, edit and share these images and videos (with permission), to a central folder. I would then piece these together to create a video covering the event, and the photos could be shared on an IG account. All of the content would be created by the kids (no doubt with a little help from the parents).
It was about bringing through the next generation of car fans who could bring their enthusiasm for cars to sustainability models, new tech and the modernisation of the car industry - and learn how to shoot awesome photos and footage at the same time.
It would be interesting to see how kids viewed cars.
What angles would they choose to shoot, which cars, what story would they tell through their visual capture? I thought it would be fascinating.
I may still do this - what do you think? A good idea or one that really is a little too far fetched? And anyone in Hampshire want to team up to try it?
Poems
I wrote this poem way back when I was living in Sheffield as a late teen. I was pretty much the only one with a car - my trusty Toyota Carina 2.
It’s late. Or maybe I should say it is early
Everyone is bleary eyed and downright blurry
It’s 4am as we leave the club
Republic, Sheffield, the best place for dub
Tonight I’m the designated driver
In exchange my passengers all pay me a fiver
I stay drink free, to get everyone home
It’s a damn sight easier than the usual taxi roam
The cars frozen solid and now fully loaded
After a night where the DJ exploded
Tunes spinning for hour after hour
The car coming alive now; revs, heat and power
Republic is all about drink, powders and pills
It’s heady times in the city built on 4 hills
Right now though, I’ve got to get my revellers home
I’ve got work tomorrow so I need to rest my dome
This Toyota will never set the world on fire
But it’s my ticket to see God’s own Shire
It’s me driving, me behind the wheel
My ticket to explore the city of steal
It’s 5am, everyone’s home safe and sound
After 24 hours awake my heads starting to pound
The night and day starting to meet
The Toyota though, it never misses a beat
We both rest now for tomorrow we rinse and repeat
The Volvo
I wrote this poem quite a few years back and used creative license here, as my grandfather didn’t own a Volvo - but another Toyota Carina 2. However, I saw an elderly couple at Lepe Beach, Hampshire, who reminded me of my grandparents - and the poem was born. Always had a thing for old school Volvo’s too.
I remember the long trips in the Volvo
I’d be in the back. You and nan up front
You’d do the same steady speed no matter the road
Never once saw you use the Volvo’s mighty grunt
We’d take the metaphorical kitchen sink on every trip
There was always room left in the boot
I’d always be in my casual clothes
You’d always be wearing your suit
On long journeys there was no finer place to be
The seats were large, too big for me
Sea, motorways, towns and hills
I’d always be leaning around to see
The Volvo was your car for decades
Always there for each epic long drive
A trusty companion for the growing family
I just wish I could turn back time to when you were alive
Until next week
Rob