© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street and social documentary photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Captured in July 2018 where a group of far right fascists were holding a demonstration and a much larger group opposing them had gathered as a counter-protest.

I am absolutely appalled at the scenes that I have seen across media and social media channels of the far right riots and racist hate in cities around England.

Yes they are far right racist thugs. People of colour have been targeted specifically. Pulled from their cars, hounded and beaten on the streets by a mob, roadblocked and prevented from driving on their way. Two hotels housing asylum seekers were set alight. Arson with intent to endanger life. I have seen swastika tattoos, Nazi salutes and heard racist chants. They even burned a library. Nazis like burning books. Stones were thrown at Filipino nurses on their way to cover emergency shifts.

I have seen this described as 'anti-immigration protest' but these people are only concerned about immigration from non-white countries. That's racism. Call it what it is.

It's sickening. This is regression of society and social media has played a huge role in this. The algorithms that value engagement lend themselves to divisive issues being promoted. The algorithms lend themselves to creating echo chambers for extremism. Some social media channels have almost no moderation anymore either and are actively pushing far right ideology in the name of 'freedom of speech'.

I am ashamed to be English. I am ashamed to be British. I am ashamed for the whole nation.

This is a small but vocal and violent group. If we, everyone else, do not stand up against them then we become complicit. If we do not rise up and show love, compassion and care to our communities, our whole inclusive communities, then we are complicit.

The parallels to 1930s Germany are terrifying. It started with the 'othering' of minorities, the scapegoating of racial groups and our politicians and mainstream media have been complicit in platforming and normalising far right fascist views. We are witnessing pogroms on our streets.

Immigration and multi-culturalism enriches us.
Our cultures and identities do not get lost, they get celebrated and shared.

We are one single species, among millions of others, trying to survive on a tiny oasis in the vastness of space.

My politics are irrelevant. I simply care about people. I have empathy. I have compassion. I want humanity so survive and I want it to do so peacefully without hate.

Share love. Share compassion. Share peace.

Care and take care.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton photojournalism far right riots immigration racism urban street candid photography street photography candid street photography candid portrait street portrait portrait street life reportage candid photography candid moment framing composition juxtaposition documentary selective focus storytelling narrative perspective Dutch Angle man police police officer officer work working policeman uniform standing barrier guard guarding sign placard slogan fascism hate demonstration protest counter-protest detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle history people Canon Canon 5D Mk III 24mm wide angle EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM colour Glasgow Scotland UK United Kingdom Great Britain George Square

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Archie sniffing the edge of one of my snowboards while I was photographing them to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Both boards, especially the Kevin Jones (bright green), hold a special place in my heart and are from the single best, and happiest, period of my entire life.

It pains me to have to get rid of them but, along with all of the other gear, they take up space that I can ill afford.

If they don't go I'll likely dump most of the stuff but might keep the boards for an unusual wall mounted ornament.

Archie helped to add a little smile to my face as I undertook this painful chore.

Happy Caturday.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton cat snowboard colourful kitty home garden pet animal feline portrait cat portrait pet portrait moment curiosity playful photobombed fur furry fluff fluffy face eyes sniffing inquisitive fence snowboarding sport winter sports summer stickers snow sports extreme Jeenyus Wild Duck snowboarder contrast fun helping family pet tone detail decking natural light outdoors outside life living lifestyle hobby pastime Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM bright colour Scotland UK United Kingdom Great Britain Britain wood decay patina used pussycat cute Archie

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Colour re-edit of a shot captured candidly in July 2017. I have no idea why a bunch of Vikings were marching up Buchanan Street. Perhaps some pillaging was on the menu. Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland Viking urban street candid portrait portraiture street photography candid street photography candid portrait street portrait street shot eye contact candid eye contact street life candid moment candid photography man face eyes expression mood attitude character feeling atmosphere warrior armour leather chainmail axe weapon cosplay costume roleplay history grim scary unusual surreal marching war axe tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors outside helmet city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM colour Glasgow UK United Kingdom Great Britain Britain Buchanan Street

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Previously unpublished archive shot from July 2019.

The 'Silent Disco' trend really took off in the summer of 2019. Did the pandemic put an end to this craze? One can hope.
They were annoying to come across on the narrower streets in the city as they danced their way through expecting others to move out of the way. Not out of a sense of entitlement I think but mostly just because it was an exuberant crowd. I'm not usually such a sour puss but there was something about these things that just irked me.

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend my Flickr friends. Either with or without music - keep those shutters clicking and stay safe.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland silent disco urban street candid photography street photography candid street photography candid photography candid moment street life streetshot reportage event timing man woman face expression mood atmosphere attitude disco dancing dance headphones music silence silent fun joy happiness activity group colourful yellow work pigeon sunlight shadow detail depth natural light outdoors outside city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle crowd Canon Canon 5D Mk III Canon EOS 5D Mark III EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM colour Glasgow UK United Kingdom trend craze fad Great Britain Britain George Square

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Colour re-edit of a shot captured on this day, 8th July, in 2018.

TRNSMT festival was the big event on the edge of the city and there was a steady stream of festival goers coming and going between the venue and the city centre. Enjoy.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland festival urban street candid portrait groupshot streetshot portraiture street photography candid street photography candid photography candid portrait street portrait eye contact candid eye contact candid moment colourful bright summer sunlight sunshine shadow girl girls youth women woman young walking face eyes expression mood emotion feeling atmosphere drink alcohol beverage event TRNSMT Festival skin flesh style fashion pink makeup friends tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors outside city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM colour Glasgow UK

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