As usual I have tried to create something a little bit different from the usual set of Whitby Goth Weekend Pictures you see from other photographers.

As a resident Whitby Photographer I feel it important to also get a few pictures of the town into the set of images.

My aim of the weekend has been to capture something elegant as well. RisquΓ©, with lots of flesh has been off the agenda for me this year. To be honest Im a bit fed up of the exhibitionists trying to better each other year on year. Its beginning to loose its appeal and I think the shock factor has now long since been lost.

Im shocked by nothing I see at the Goth Weekends these days, infact Im bored by much of what I see, such as crows on peoples heads and busty women with the asses on show.

Obviously I still maintain a strict live and let live policy and Im tolerant of all comers to Whitby, but as a photographer I’m becoming a bit more selective in what i shoot, so if your amongst these shots its because I think your unique or you’ve made that extra special bit of effort with your attire.

I was stood chatting to my daughter (Chelsie) who works in Marie Antoinette on Church Street, she was asking what I was looking for in terms of photographs today. I explained I wanted something beautiful, and elegant. Chelsie pointed out this rather stunning young lady in green. “Theres your photograph” Chelsie said.

My style is candid street photography. I refuse to do posed or anything in a set up situation. its Candid or nothing for me, and when its such a busy day its almost impossible to get it perfect, but when your not controlling the environment you have to take what comes your way. I set up the Lens at F2.8 to blur everything but the subject. The idea is to separate her out from the crowd. Whilst you can blur the background with ease, you cant control the colours people are wearing, and needless to say, the lady in bright orange is driving me nuts, but thats life.

Whitby Goth Weekend - Spring 2017

Whitby Goth Weekend – Spring 2017

Amongst the Goths today were a group of young Punks. This took me right back to my teenage years, when we were all Mods, Punks, Skinheads or Grebos. This group of youngsters really made my day, and it was great to see that some of the UK’s youngsters aren’t scarred to be different and to stand out from the crowds.

These are perhaps my favourite Images from today. Not strictly Goth I know, but I just love alternative culture. How I wish I had a group of youngster like this to work with in town over a few hours. I’m sure we could produce some legendary photographs.

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017 - Henrietta Street

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017 – Henrietta Street

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017 - Silver Street

Punks At Whitby Goth Weekend 2017 – Silver Street

Every year I have a walk upto the Graveyard at St Mary’s Church. Its an area that creates a lot of controversy and the photography and posing on Gravestones is something that always upsets a lot of people, especially the locals.

Admittedly in the past I have photographed Goths in the graveyard. I now understand that its frowned upon and I refrain from taking pictures of Goths in the Graveyard.

Whilst at St Mary’s I always have a natter with the wardens, and believe it or not they don’t actually have Β a major problem with 99% of people who go to the graveyard.

It would appear that only the touching of graves, and actual nudity in the graveyard etc are the problems for the church. Photography near the church and on the footpaths etc seems to be no problem at all to the Church.

Personally speaking I can think of a lot of great places in town to take photographs without asking people to drape themselves all other the graves. Its such a shame that the same few Photographers and young females cant think a bit more creatively and give the graveyard a miss for once. I also wonder if the men realise they are fast getting a reputation as perverts ?

I also find it somewhat strange that every year its the same handful of photographers and youngish females who are in the graveyard. It cant have escaped them that a lot of Whitby people, and the organisers of The Goth Weekend aren’t actually happy about them being in the graveyard ? Why do they persist despite it being against the wishes of the majority ?

With regards to the young females, I always wonder if they have any idea where their photographs are going to end up ?? I know some of the photographers in the graveyards are Glamour photographers with quite seedy websites.

One year I spoke to a guy who was quite happy to show me his collection of nude females on his phone. How I managed to refrain from calling him a dirty old man to his face is beyond me.

Im usually quite outspoken and happy to tell people what i think if they have annoyed me. Anyway,,, Β Do the young ladies realise their images may end up on a website only a single click away from full on pornography ? Do you understand what type of men are taking your photographs ? If your thinking your images are going to find their way into the papers or magazine, you can be 100% sure that they aren’t. The press association has its own photographers at the event and they have a strict no Graveyard Policy. The men taking your photos are taking them for their own collections.

Although I believe some of the females to be quite Naive, I lay a lot of the blame for the Churchyard issues at the doors of the Photographers. Some of those men are quite seedy. There is a lot of touching and requests for provocative posing. If it was my daughter I can tell you that I would not be at all happy.

Whitby Goth Weekend. Seedy photographers doing A Lot Of Touching In The Graveyard At St Mary's

Whitby Goth Weekend. Seedy photographers doing A Lot Of Touching In The Graveyard At St Mary’s

Back in town it was business as usual. The Bridge was closed to traffic when it got a little too busy. Church street was full to busting and the majority of people were having a great time in beautiful Whitby.

Dates For The Next Whitby Goth Weekend – Here

Whitby Goth Weekend Gallery.

 

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