Popped up to High Town yesterday to see how the festival was going. High Town is a wonderful part of town, it’s underestimated and not given the credit it deserves. The High St is currently part of a regeneration scheme by the government whereby new startup businesses on the High St receive reduced business rates to help with the early years of trading. Shop 33 (Luton Community Arts shop I blogged about a few weeks ago is on the High St) was very busy yesterday with a programme full of local musicians coming into the shop to do an hours set.
Street photography is an art, your mind has to be alive and awake at all times, you have to be able to see stuff going on and capture it quickly. You also have to be mindful of people’s wishes, I stood to take a photo of a young barber cutting hair (it looked great – it was a tight afro with a pattern being sculpted into it) and I noticed as soon as I lifted the camera to my eye he caught me out of the corner of his eye and turned around sharpish. I dropped the camera, smiled through the window and asked if it was OK, he waved as if to say no so I gave him the thumbs up, he gave me a thumbs up back and we went about our business. Most people are fine and even relish the thought that someone thinks they are interesting enough to be photographed but if they’re not happy about it, I find it best to honour their wishes – no harm done.
These guys were very happy to have their picture taken and very good they were too, there were lots of scheduled events but I liked these guys and stood and watched them for about 15 minutes. Impromptu street corner busking, they just pitched up with their guitars and mouth organs and started playing, and very good they were too.
This blog is about Luton – the positives within Luton – it’s about the town but more importantly for me – it’s about the people – there are fantastic people in Luton. People who are proud to say they are from Luton, and this in a week where Luton, again, has been listed in the top 100 crappiest towns in the UK, an honour they won in the books 2004 publication. Here’s what Wikipedia says about the whole crap town affair. Well you know what !! I don’t give a shit about that book and I know a lot of Lutonians don’t either. I could go to ANY town in the country and shoot a series of photographs of dirty back streets, bins overflowing and general detritus. Luton’s got it’s bad points but it’s got a hell of a lot more good points ! I think this subject needs a full blogpost all to itself – I feel quite strongly about this !! Watch this space …
Have a good week !
Steve
life ... places & faces ... 
it was great well done to you guysx
Thanks Julie !! I had a great day and from other photos I’ve seen I’m not the only one !!
I thought that the High-Town festival was excellent, the best day so far this year! Thanks Steve for the photo’s and the reviews!!!From Richard Lees, the harmonica man!!!
You’re very welcome Richard – you guys were fantastic !! I really enjoyed watching you !!
Yes brilliant – all off my guys singing and busking was great and by the way the little dog is April the toy poodle and she is mine and Diana’s and she doesn’t mind at all
Haha that’s great – I’m glad April doesn’t mind – she was very clever finding that spot of shade !! That’s why I took the picture – really made me smile when I saw her. It was a great afternoon – just a shame I haven’t been able to get up there this afternoon – I hope it carried on in the same vein !! 🙂
A wonderful two days/evenings. The people who put at together should get one huge “pat on the back”. A lot of effort was put into it and the musicians were all marvelous and most of all, it was free ! I look forward to next years Festival.
Loved the High Town Festival, the buskers and your pics! Thanks 🙂
fantastic photos would; have been good to see some videos, my partner paul was one part of the duo olaying the guitars and singing