Welcome to the Website of Alan Burnett: writer, blogger, collector of old photographs, and devotee of all things pointless and inconsequential.
Bruges Bronze
This was among some photographs of mine from the late 1980s, and I must confess that I had completely forgotten what it was or where I had taken it. A quick reverse image search provided the answer: “The image shows a historic bronze water pump spout in Bruges, Belgium, featuring a grotesque or Green Man face and water-spitting dragons or serpents”.
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Ghostly Double
This week, Sepia Saturday is celebrating Halloween with ghosts as its theme. In many ways, this is a suitable theme for lovers of old photographs, because so many early photos were linked…
Night Shots
You need an old camera, slow film, and a decent downpour to get a good night shot. Modern digital cameras are hopeless: they sharpen the focus, bring up the shadows, and tone…
Industrial Cubism
I took this photograph in Sheffield more than forty years ago. After all this time, I’m not certain where it was taken – possibly around Kelham Island. The exact location…
Developments
This map may not mean much to most people, but it shows Northowram, the village where I grew up. It is dated 1920, although it may be based on data…
Images Are Magical
For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with images. They offer the ultimate freedom of expression and interpretation, allowing you to explore a moment, place,…
