Welcome to another project that will be added to as I gather images. It is important to have themes or projects going to maintain some interest and motivation, it is also good for the days that you head out on the street and struggle to find things. I have started this from observing my work this year and quickly noticed that much like my Glasgow benches project I am drawn to people with headwear. Some as you will see are nothing elaborate such as a simple brim hat or baseball cap, some more colourful and some novelty items. Why does this interest me? Their headwear might inform us of their culture, personality, we can read into their social stratification and their identity. Many of my shots are candid, which you can shoot candid portraits. However, the portrait of John, with his skip cap and FILA t-shirt was a lovely interaction leading to this portrait. I had been to a community library checking out a photography exhibition and when I stepped outside he struck up a conversation asking if I was press. I laughed and explained it was just a hobby, after speaking a while he asked “do you want a picture of an old skool Glasgow NED”? I happily captured this image, one shot as I get nervous taking portraits, and showed him the image on the rear of the camera. Now John does not have social media, I offered to have it printed and drop it off at the library for him as he is there daily reading and using the Internet. I did drop a colour and a B&W 7x5 print in, but he was not there at the time, our paths may cross again, or not which is fine. What I took from this was in this instance he self ascribed the identity of ned and owned it, not necessarily with pride, but as part of him and his life. This confidence in owning his identity is a confidence I see in the images of people wearing headgear, I heard it once said somewhere that to pull off wearing a hat you have to be confident and I certainly see this. Maybe it is the confidence that draws my attention and not the headwear? This is why projects are important, it is not just taking nice images, it is self reflection, learning about people and society, it is about increasing my self awareness of what I see and why. The journey continues.