at first I was skeptical on the image.. But after reading this and what it's for.. it's wonderful. Which I find interesting that before knowing the story and background to this it was plain to me, but after the fact now this image is great and tells so much. Brilliant capture

I was about to say 'have you been round my house again?', but in light of the back story that would seem inappropriate.

I think this is fantastic. Reminds me of my childhood. Yes, really.

This is both one of my favorite Chromasia pictues (the tones! the shadows!) and one of my favorite descriptions. Happy Friday.

A lot of smoke...

that letter is one of the most beautiful things that has been posted on this site. Thank you.

I hope the letter was received and the planned evening a success before the eviction took place. Nothing to say about the pic.

strawberries, chocolate, and mcdonalds. purely and tenderly poignant, that letter: beautiful.

I agree with you David, the letter is incredibly sad. There's such a feeling of desperation and lonliness, but there is also hope and a glimer of happiness in the letter that leads you to believe that maybe, just maybe there is a happy ending to the story.

The photo captures the mood of the letter. It made me wonder what actually happened. ...

I really like the tones and the story is quite a sad one all things considered. The picture seems almost gritty. One of my favorites on your site. Very well done!

Great insight, great post. Thanks.

great contrast and colours.

M: I assume that this was a letter left by squatters, not previous tenants of the house. As far as I can remember there is still one house occupied in this terrace of around 10 houses and it was up to the tenants to leave, most chose to but 1 were stubborn and are there to this day as far as I'm aware.

About the letter, it left me speechless, it's not often we get an insight into peoples lives on that sort of level. The picture itself sums up the bad side of Blackpool in my opinion.

Also, the student I assume came from Blackpool & Fylde college? I study National Diploma Photography there... :)

Actually made me cry .......

David, the letter is truly sad and amazing. I feel almost voyeuristic in reading it. Did you in any way feel that it was inappropriate to read it? Just wondering. I would have read it myself, of course.

a rare glimpse into someone's life. good shot.

I applaud you David, for taking your photography into an area where it can be so much more than pretty pictures. Photography is capable of so much more. As a single image without explanation it's not so great, but in a large project with a context and supporting information, a single picture becomes so much more. This seems like a really good project.

With that type of letter the picture is most appropriate in expressing his feeling as he was reading the letter...

I wonder if the resident/squatter was the recipient of the letter or the author.

I love that you included the text, it makes the image that much richer

Mark Palmer - There are in fact two houses still occupied by their owners, not tenants. I spoke to one couple that have lived there over 40 years , and are are obviously upset that their home and business is going to be knocked down. They say they are there not out of 'stubboness', but because of disagreements over what their property is worth. Meanwhile, residents on the opposite side of the street can't wait to see the empty houses gone, and the new development start.
And yes, the student was from Blackpool & Fylde College :-)

Your picture is like a synopsis to a film. Very moving.

Very good photo, as always, and a very poignant commentary too.
However, I'm a bit uneasy about the ethics of publishing the contents of a such a private letter, and such a recent one too, here on the web for all and sundry to read.

It would seem unlikely that the letter was left carelessly lying around by the person who wrote it. That, presumably, would have been the recipient.
It looks like it took enormous courage for the person to write those words, and if it was me, I'd be horrified and humiliated to read them on your site now, to discover they were now in the public domain. I realise that one day this picture and it's contents will make an interesting historical record, but judging from the state of the cigarette ends and non-rustiness of the can, the feelings expressed belong very much in the here and now, and for me at least, just a little bit too close for comfort. Am I being a bit po-faced?

Looks like it was a good visit. Although this is probably not the right forum, we now have authority/funds to reopen negotiations to buy the last two properties in the terrace.

Thanks everyone.

Ash: yes, there may well have been a happy ending. I hope so.

MikesRightBrain: it felt odd reading it, but, given it had been abandoned, it didn't feel inappropriate.

Geoff: a photoblog isn't the best way to present this sort of material - I imagine a lot of people just looked at this one and didn't read the commentary - so I'll be setting up a separate 'project' section on chromasia at some point soon.

Tim: this property has been secure for a number of months, and is weather-proof, so it might be quite some time since the letter was abandoned. Also, the original was signed and there was one other name in the main body of the letter, so to avoid any potential embarrassment I removed both.

Damian: thanks, yes, it was a good visit. And it's good to hear you'll be reopening negotiations with the remaining occupants.

seems that it was a long night ;)

There is nothing in this shot that I like (except maybe finding lost change), even though the technical aspects of the shot are fine and well presented. I could be neutral on the piece of paper but knowing the contents of the letter kills that neutrality.

Examining all the emotions stirred and the out-of-frame thoughts and remembrances, I have to judge this as an excellent shot!

Sharla: no, there's nothing intrinsic to the image that I like either, but I'm becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the aim of posting images that stand entirely on their own merit. I'm not putting this very well. Basically, I think that what I'm trying to say is that I'm moving towards a more narrative form of photography where the images are embedded in other structures that change or enhance their meaning. When I've thought a bit more about this I'll probably post something more lucid.

Libby sorry I knew these were privately owned, I just got my terminology mixed up, and I am only saying what the inpression I got from the Gazette was.

djn1: I understand perfectly. I don't want your photography to make me comfortable. I count on you to move me and that you do!

lovely tones.
yummy colours like this make living dirty seem enticing.

How desperately, heartbreakingly sad. How many of these small, sad stories are going on all around us? How many will happen to us? A girl trying to find romance in a squat will make me think about this for the rest of the day.

Ughh cigarettes!

After reading your description the shot is even more enforced as a good un Dave.

I don't find it particularly sad to be honest. The letter isn't really poignant enough and doesn't reflect the image in the slightest. The story behind the letter seems completely removed from the image, I'm not sure the two are connected. It looks as though the letter was found on the property (possibly left by previous legitimate owners) and is now being read by anyone who walks in to the house.

The picture transfers a good mood. I like it very much. Also the next three shots.

Not being a photographer, I probably see it slightly differently as just a member of the audience. I felt you didn't need to include the text written out in full above, it made me feel uneasy to read something so private ( as someone else said). I thought the image on its own said enough without it.Just my opinion!

Mark,
Cheers for the update. I'd figured it was a squater that had left the letter and I also figure the squaters did not leave of their own volition, my clue to this is the 3 coins and the packet of rizla's - you never leave rizla's behind Mark! I still hope the planned meeting happened, it would make a sad story happier.