Surprisingly, I didn’t chose the music because of Purcell, or Charles II, ancient Carthage, Troy, the soprano’s hair colour or the length of a crochet. As you suggest, it was because of the way it made me feel.

Theresienstadt is famous for the creative work that was carried out in the midst of the horror and madness, but that is not referenced here. Not because it’s not relevant, although the pictures deal much more with the prison than the ghetto, but because the lament captures what I want to say so well.

It feels to me that both music and libretto were written to capture the feeling I have from the place. “When I am laid in earth… remember me.”

I’m afraid I’ve never heard “Brundibar”. It might well make an excellent soundtrack for a slideshow, even for this slideshow, but it’s equally possible that it would not. During my visit to Terezin it was the Small Fortress that moved me most, and where I took most of the pictures. This has nothing to do with what happened where, levels of suffering or numbers of dead, but everything to do with the stones of the place, the atmosphere and, I have to face it, the way it looks. I was not making a historical record, I was recording how I reacted to what I saw.

No doubt there is a great photo essay to be made on the suffering and death in the ghetto and the cultural activity, forced and unforced, that accompanied it – but this is not it, and it’s not intended to be.

But i do not like the music with the images. I’m not sure of the connection between a aria that was sung in celebration for the coronation of Charles II and your visit to Theresienstadt?

Is it because both made you feel sad?

Dido and Anais is wonderful and very moving. What about the Opera that was written for and performed by Children in the Theresienstadt? Just before they were murdered, “Brundibar” I think it is called.

There are loads of pieces of music that came out of this camp. But I don’t think Purcell was ever there? I may be wrong on that

as always breath taking pictures Paul. x

To get some chemicals you may go to Fotopro in calle Castellón, next to the railway station (left side from the facade). They used to have a good selection, but I haven´t gone there since 2005.

Also you may go to Nacher, only 100 meters away from Fotopro in calle Ruzafa. They also have some chemicals.

One last option can be http://www.casanovafoto.com/. I bought some stuff from their online store and got it at home in just two days with low mailing cost.

Hope it helps!

Grant – you’re on. When are you coming? I’ll even throw in the wine.

The single walking figure for instance…

Grant

For me, as a painter it has been a real struggle to get criticism that is constructive rather than merely competitive since i have left college but this is universal experience. I’ll still go on doing what i am doing and you will do the same. Your work is your eye Paul and as such a lens through which you look at the World. This is a unique view.

Keep up the good work