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Info on Arhur Fields 'The man on the bridge'

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  • 10-07-2013 12:18pm
    #1
    positivenote
    Registered Users Posts: 2,334 ✭✭✭


    Hi All,
    Im doing some research into domestic photography in Ireland and I was wondering if anyone can remember the chap who used to take photographs on O'Connell bridge during the 50/60/70/80's, maybe earlier or later as well. I have found out his Name was Arthur Fields but would love to know a lot more about him and his process of taking photographs as well as any stories that people may have about getting their photo taken by him and collecting the final prints. Having spoken to relations there seemed to be a process of receiving a number from him that you brought to his 'office' where you could look at the image before committing to buying it.
    any help at this stage would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks


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    #2
    bullpost
    Registered Users Posts: 4,218 ✭✭✭bullpost


    Theres a website dedicated to him : http://www.abovethebest.ie/manonbridge/index.html


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    #3
    pete4130
    Registered Users Posts: 3,944 ✭✭✭pete4130


    One my mams friends dads used to do it on O'Connell Bridge. It was illegal at the time and they could get arrested/fined for it. I'll ask her for his name.

    I've a picture somewhere of them on the bridge taken by the guy himself...I'll find it soon.

    He was selling the images to people. I'm guessing he was shooting onto paper to be able to get the fast turn around time?


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    #4
    DaireQuinlan
    Registered Users Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭DaireQuinlan


    pete4130 wrote: »
    He was selling the images to people. I'm guessing he was shooting onto paper to be able to get the fast turn around time?

    Might have been one of these:

    http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/11/instant-wooden-box-cameras-from-cuban-polaroid-to-the-afghan-kamra-e-faoree

    Used to be a popular way of doing instant prints on the street, even when polaroid became available, probably due to the comparitive cost. I keep on meaning to build one.


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    #5
    pete4130
    Registered Users Posts: 3,944 ✭✭✭pete4130


    As far as I can gather he'd take payment and disappear for 5 minutes and come back with the photo.


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    #6
    Monkey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 927 ✭✭✭Monkey


    There's a film company planning to make a documentary about him. There's some info and a video about it here


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    #7
    pullandbang
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 4,948 ✭✭✭pullandbang


    Seems I'm actually in the video :-)

    The second photo in the collage of thumbnails is a shot of me with my Dad. Of course I'm not looking at the camera, I'm watching the dolly bird behind me who's smiling at me :D

    6518139226F440BCBE0B21A3F607A815.jpg


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    #8
    Monkey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 927 ✭✭✭Monkey


    Here's a fantastic picuture by Arthur which I'm guessing if from the 70s?

    The Arthur Guinness Projects voting closes on Friday and you can vote once a day. Please vote here to help ensure the Arthur Fields documentary can be made: https://www.arthurguinnessprojects.com/arts/man-on-bridge

    BSCFY41CUAAdfHQ.jpg:large


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