Skateboarders

My first gig today (the second day of the Mountains to the Sea Festival) was to photograph Don Paterson's workshop in the new, light-flooded Lexicon room. I actually did a workshop with DP at this festival about seven years ago, a 'masterclass.' He was a good teacher, one of the best I've encountered, very careful to allot each person his/her portion of attention. I was also reminded of my own creative writing workshops in UCD, and all that these workshops represent: the laid-out, clean-cut, mercilessly shining hopes.

Later again in the Lexicon I had a chance to photograph Michael Symmons Roberts, whom it was also a pleasure to meet and talk (all too briefly) with. And alas, no chance to watch/listen to any of these poets read, but that's the gig, and it's work that I value greatly.

I met the other photographer, Ger Holland, on my way to grab a late meal in Oliveto's, in the Kingston Hotel. She was heading the other way, and as she walked off I noticed these silhouettes of skateboarders just outside the Lexicon, against the last light.