Doggies

I went to the Battersea Dog’s Home today. Although pictures are prohibited, that never deters the likes of me! It did mean it was hard to get good shots, though. I decided not to use film since I’d probably have to shoot from the hip and didn’t want to waste a whole roll with badly aimed shots (I really need to work on that) but it certainly doesn’t help that the 350D click sound is so damn loud.

First up was the Cattery. (All 50mm, f1.8)

That’s the only shot I managed to get there, but I wish I’d been able to capture all the little ‘cells’ of cats in a row. They were pretty nifty.

Onto the dogs.

I wish I hadn’t used ISO 100 for this – that explains the blurry-ness. Argh! Anyway, he looked so sad and lonely..

This one was beautiful. She had blue eyes and was so calm and serene compared to some of the other dogs. The noise in the kennels was very, very loud with dogs barking like maniacs a lot of the time.

Another sad-looking one

I absolutely love dogs (I grew up with them) and it was quite sad to see them locked up behind bars, as though in a prison, but the home does its best to find new owners for them. Each kennel has a form outside it explaining details of the dog – such as what training it needs, and whether it’s suitable to live among children etc etc. The kennels were also categorised so that ‘problem’ dogs are kept together.

I spoke to a worker there who told me that unwanted dogs are brought in for all kinds of reasons, but that if there’s a lack of space, dogs are essentially put down to make room for others. Not ideal..

There were so many different breeds and personalities – some were so excited and erratic – too bad I couldn’t take pictures more freely.

My favourite dog

Some destruction on Chelsea Bridge – not sure if it was caused by the recent storms though. It looked more like a vehicle had crashed right through the fence and onto the river

There’s Battersea power station in the background (with the towers) – the ugliest building in London in my opinion.

I went to the State Britain exhibition by Mark Wallinger, at the Tate Britain. You might remember that most of Brian Haw‘s protest placards were confiscated and destroyed under the “Serious Organised Crime and Police Act”. Wallinger has attempted to recreate these.

That’s as far as picture-taking got, before I was approached and told that photography isn’t allowed. Is photography permissable anywhere these days?!

Decided to see the Haw himself.

This woman was protesting across the road from Brian. Under the ridiculous new laws regarding protests in Westminister, she’s breaking the law.

Last shot of the day, on the way home.