cjgriffithsphotography

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Forever I have lived here, my home town of Blackpool. Except for that one time when I went to university to study Art. Northampton the home of the biggest skatepark in Europe, it was then I was reminded me how much I felt about Blackpool.

In Blackpool I could get a taxi within 5 minutes to go anywhere, a choice of an array of bars and some alternative indie or house music nights back in the 90’s. Miles and miles of coast line, an amazing fairground. I thought everywhere as a child had a fair and a beach, I was shocked to find my cousins in Bristol closest thing to leisure was The New Forest. Needless to say when I left The Pool – I discovered feeling home sick especially for the coast line and the friendly northerner.

It was at college I found out I was working class, it had never occurred to me before. I had been into the house music scene and bought into the Orwellian notion that everyone was equal. It was at college that it hit home that some were more equal than others and searched around for the art that spoke to me…..

I found Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, Sam Taylor Wood, Sophie Calle, Bill Viola, Gillian Wearing and all of the YBA’s they spoke to me mainly through photography, theatre and film work. It must have fed into my Blackpool sentimentality of neon and performance, text and fantasy, crowds of people, self and otherness. Was I otherness? Sometimes being northern and coming from Blackpool it felt like it.

This is the place that gets photographed, people travel here to photograph the stags and hens, the blow up penises touring the many bars and pubs, how did this become typical? The tourists were not the people that lived here, I live here. As a teen, I somehow felt embarrassed, the town did not offer me anything. – Now in lockdown, I can see the Victorian buildings, the quite sound of the ocean, no interference of bad pop music or arcade sounds, no being heckled to play the side shows with me retorting, “I’m local”. The town has taken on an “Out of Season” feel. Out of season, the time when Blackpool felt like it might belong to the residents again.

But as it was at university I realise the pull of the place not just for me, but for visitors here.

The pubs and clubs are closed – longing to be filled with Karaoke and Kebab eaters again. I never visited The Tower Lounge when it was open in Blackpool – did I miss out? For now I will enjoy Blackpool’s new lockdown personality, knowing that one day folks will return to take what is rightfully theirs and I will share my home again.

Pubs in Lockdown Blackpool – Taken between March and May 2020

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      Blackpool in Lockdown 2020 – Nightlife, Pubs and how to Promenade. Forever I have lived here, my home town of Blackpool. Except for that one time when I went to university to study Art.

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(claire) Listen to an ex #circusette talk about her time performing at the #BlackpoolTower #circus with # CharlieCairoli #clown met her husband and toured the world performing. #Blackpool #UK #Lancashire #retiredperformers #retiredoperformersproject #timeandtide

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(CJGriffiths - Claire Walmsley Griffiths Photographer) Frank Lucas is part of the Arts Council Supported Photography and Audio project. Time and Tide - Retired Performers Blackpool, UK. Listen to his interview here talking about Winston Churchill and Frank Sinattra.

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(claire)

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Cash in on your creativity! Mirror Mirror On The Wall Photo Contest #photography #photography #becreative”

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This picture by photographer Will Vickers (@willvickers) has been chosen by to be a part of The Print Swap by Feature Shoot. All photographers are welcome to apply to @theprintswap simply by tagging their photos #theprintswap. All winning photographers will both give and receive a print. Part of the fun is that winning prints are mailed randomly, so it’s always a surprise. We’ll be choosing about 60 photographs from The Print Swap to exhibit at Photoville (@photovillenyc), and images from future participating print swap winners that are submitted between July 1st and August 23rd will be considered for the show. Submit images by tagging them #theprintswap by this Wednesday at 11:59PM to be considered for the show. To learn more about the swap, visit www.theprintswap.com. // #photocontest #streetphotography #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #streetportrait http://ift.tt/2x6Vgyg

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Beats Cancer - Feeding the love through music. 

As an official old school raver circa summer 1990 when I was 16. The House music scene was officially underground then, I spent many a night roaming around Lancashire after an epic night in places such as #Legends in Warrington or #ManhattenHeights in #Blackburn the home of many an illegal warehouse party.

I had that familiar feeling when I entered #BeatsCancer over the weekend. Commissioned for the festival to photograph I felt quite ancient and when I spoke to a attendee who told me she thought she was fat at 25, I was like “I am 43, enjoy it”..........

The original scene was all about “letting go” not caring and being yourself in one accepted collective, the original Ravers thought they could change the world and create good. Beats Cancer met the brief of the “home grown” event and from the first year I photographed it, I was overwhelmed with its size!!! If only I was 18 again - but no matter as I can hide my face behind the camera. Big love Beats Cancer. 

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Seaside Towns Out of Season - I'm a graphic designer turned photographer, planning to produce & exhibit a series of photographic prints: Seaside Towns Out of Season. - http://kck.st/2kcCYEq

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When I was little, all I wanted was a “super duper” bike. I was given a second hand one, but I loved it as it propelled me on adventure around my home town.

Freedom, I think is mankind’s greatest want! The feeling of no commitment? We have it as children, we search for it as adults. I revisited my childhood when I attended the Cycle Festival, Eroica in The Peak District of The UK, felt free, enjoyed the sunshine and laid down in hay fields as bubbles passed over my head.

Ride a Bike When I was little, all I wanted was a "super duper" bike. I was given a second hand one, but I loved it as it propelled me on adventure around my home town.

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I love this photo "Lightpool Festival Blackpool, UK" at ViewBug. Find more inspiring images at ViewBug - the world’s most rewarding photo community. Photo by clairegriffiths

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I love this photo "Lightpool Festival Blackpool, UK" at ViewBug. Find more inspiring images at ViewBug - the world’s most rewarding photo community. Photo by clairegriffiths

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I love this photo "Volin and Wings Regina December 2016 CJGriffiths Photography " at ViewBug. Find more inspiring images at ViewBug - the world’s most rewarding photo community. Photo by clairegriffiths

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I love this photo "CJGriffiths Landscapes Blackpool Sparks Drummers Lightpool Festival" at ViewBug. Find more inspiring images at ViewBug - the world’s most rewarding photo community. Photo by clairegriffiths

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I love this photo " Lightpool CJGriffiths Photography" at ViewBug. Find more inspiring images at ViewBug - the world’s most rewarding photo community. Photo by clairegriffiths

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#NowPlaying Catch A Rude Awakening by Rae & Christian

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#portraitoftheartist #portrait #portraitphotography #colourphotography #photography #people #artistsoninstagram #artist #lancashire #blackpool

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#NowPlaying Give It Up by Public Enemy