God didn’t rest; he made little Knick Knacks for the multitudes

And the multitudes were happy and rejoiced and praised the lord.

This image immediately reminded me of common dog warning signs on houses, which serve to deter burglars by signalling protection. The similarity between messages about divine protection and dog warnings shows how exterior symbols can shape perceptions about faith or security.

The film, Picture of Dorian Gray came out in 1945 it was an adaptation of the book by Oscar Wilde and before I was born, thankfully but I do remember watching it as a kid much later and it did have a big impact me.

Now whenever I see something grey like this image it’s the first thing I think of, and I’ve used artistic licence in the spelling of Gray / Grey.

I was wondering if the information I have on Joseph Cornell stored in my subconscious drew me to this image or if the connection came after I took the picture?

A lot of Cornell's work revolved around found items collected and arranged in wooden boxes.

While this isn't a wooden box, it is a box, and it does have found items in it.

What’s your agenda?

I hadn't really considered how agendas shape our thinking, but the media clearly tries to influence us both subtly and openly.

The title of this image is a reference to the Atomic Rooster song, “Death Walks Behind You,” which seems particularly fitting given the stark and unmistakable warning it conveys. The choice of title enhances the sense of foreboding implied by the image, underscoring the seriousness of the message and the impact it is meant to have on the viewer.

This image recently sold on Saatchi Art.

It was taken in 2020 during the Covid Pandemic and Lockdown.

I came across a lot of these latex gloves strewn about the pavements by unthinking humans.

Lucky for me this one landed perfectly allowing me to get the shot.

This wall looks like a Blank Canvas, which roughly translates to anything is possible.

I am also reminded of a favourite song of mine, Blank Generation by Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Subtly represented by the faint shadows on the pavement.

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but the name of the course I attended at Art College was called ‘Visual Communication’ and I had no idea, at the time, why the course was called this and not ‘Photography’ or something with photography in the title.

I’m even more embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t that long ago, that the penny finally dropped and of course, photography and art are, Visual Communication!

I blame it on the ignorance of my youth.

This image reminded me of an airport runway—though it looked unusually short. Despite the expectation that runways are built to standard lengths, my own flights have shown otherwise. At times, the briefness of a runway makes take offs and landings feel even more dramatic and unpredictable.

As so often happens an image is captured, and a song comes to mind.

In this case Joni Mitchell’s song and album, Blue, beautiful song, and lyrics below feel somewhat poignant.

‘Everybody's saying that
Hell's the hippest way to go
Well, I don't think so
But I'm gonna take a look around it, though’

I’ve certainly looked around and prefer upstairs rather than down below.

‘Gaff’ is a slang term, for someone’s home, flat or apartment.

I was thinking about how we convey messages or language in both senses of the expression. Either by symbols or by signing, as in British Sign Language(BSL) and its importance for those who can’t hear or see but can feel.

‘I see a red door
And I want it painted black
No colours anymore
I want them to turn black’

Jagger/Richards

No surprise why this song came to mind

Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, Motown’s music deeply shaped my early musical tastes. The Four Tops left a lasting impression, becoming central to my musical education and connection to that era’s sound.

Yellow squares on pavements use corduroy and blister paving to help blind and visually impaired pedestrians detect kerbs or roads, improving safety.

When combined with other brick tiles, they also add visual interest and texture to the streetscape.

The yellow paving evokes Elton John's classic album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which inspired the question: “Has Elton Walked This Way?”

This playful link connects the street’s unique tiles with the music legend, inviting us to imagine him walking here.

The title ‘My World is Blue’ reflects the image’s dominant colour and personally nods to the song ‘Love is Blue’, matching the image’s mood.

The image captures a memorable night as the main character is escorted away, his expression reflecting exhaustion, satisfaction, and nostalgia. The scene, supported by musical references, highlights nights filled with music, friendships, and lasting memories.

“Oh, what a night
Late December, back in '63
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a night

Oh, what a night
You know, I didn't even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night”

The Four Seasons

The barred window looks like that of a prison cell and the pipes disappearing into the wall delivering much needed news from the outside world.