I was born in London however I’ve additionally lived and brought pictures in Wales, France and the US. I’ve now been primarily based in St Leonards-on-Sea, on the south coast of Britain, for 33 years, which is the longest I’ve lived wherever.
This image was taken in 2006, on the seafront half a mile from my home. I’d simply come out of the store on the left of the image after I noticed these two. The man was standing within the solar along with his companion on his shoulder, as in the event that they had been each basking. I don’t keep in mind recognizing them on the best way in, it was as in the event that they’d simply materialised.
He seemed fairly forbidding, however I assumed anybody strolling round with an unique pet goes to anticipate some consideration and feedback. I simply mentioned: “I like your lizard.” He advised me it was a bearded dragon and was completely happy to maneuver round a bit till I had the lizard’s head the place I needed it. Apart from that, I don’t keep in mind us speaking very a lot and as quickly as I had the shot I used to be after I thanked him and left him nonetheless standing there.
I like that I’m mirrored within the mirror shades and you may see I’m capturing up shut, and I like which you could’t inform for positive whether or not or not he’s bare. There are different particulars that amuse me, such because the lengthy shadow forged by his nipple. I’m undecided which specific Hastings Pier Shock is being referred to within the newspaper billboard, however you possibly can see the pier within the background if you happen to look carefully. It burned down in 2010 and remained derelict for years.
I’ve been documenting the folks round me because the Nineteen Sixties, and have by no means been in need of topics. This city is wealthy in bizarre occasions and putting characters, however then if you happen to carry a digital camera in every single place, as I do, and keep alert, that’s true of wherever. I’ll typically drive previous folks or conditions I'd like to photograph and I've to backtrack. Or I’ll spot the identical interesting-looking particular person plenty of instances earlier than the correct alternative arises to photograph them.
One other of my St Leonard’s pictures has a fairly fierce-looking woman being towed down the road by an unlimited canine. I’d seen them earlier than and thought they had been fascinating but it surely wasn’t till I discovered myself proper of their path at some point that I took the possibility. The woman, the canine and a child on a motorcycle are all making direct eye contact, however none of us mentioned something, we simply all continued on our method. Typically I’ll strike up a dialog with topics and ask their permission, however whereas capturing on the London Underground within the Nineteen Eighties I discovered to take pictures discreetly. I’d work in plain sight however in a fashion that didn’t appeal to consideration. I suppose it helps that folks don’t appear to seek out me threatening.
I by no means noticed the man along with his lizard once more, however some years after I took it, the photograph was included in an exhibition of my work on the town. I went in at some point and the man on the entrance desk pointed on the picture and mentioned: “Bob, that man was in right here earlier on the lookout for you.” He hadn’t left a reputation or contact particulars and he by no means discovered me.
In 2020, nonetheless, I spent 12 days in hospital and shared a ward with a man who I’m nearly positive was the bearded dragon man. I’ve in contrast photographs I took on my cellphone, and he appears precisely the identical, simply older. It appears odd now that I by no means requested, however he had develop into actually pally with one other affected person who’d been bitten on the arse by a canine – they'd a beautiful rapport and I loved simply capturing the breeze with them and didn’t need to danger one way or the other spoiling the sense of camaraderie. Anyway, he did point out he lives simply exterior city. A e book of my work got here out a few years in the past with that photograph on the quilt, so if I ever observe him down maybe I’ll depart a few copies hanging from his door deal with.
Bob Mazzer’s CV
Born: London hospital, Whitechapel, London, 1948.
Skilled: Hornsey School of Artwork, London.
Influences: “Irving Penn, Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Enzo Ragazzini, Tony Ray Jones, Josef Koudelka, Don McCullin, Diane Arbus.”
Excessive level: “My present exhibition.”
Low level: “Promoting my black chrome Hasselblad.”
Prime tip: “Shoot first, ask questions later, keep out of hospital.”
Bob Mazzer in Digital camera: A Retrospective is at Hastings Artwork Gallery and Museum till 17 April. Two books of Mazzer’s work, Tube (Silverhill Press) and In Sussex (Unicorn), can be found now.
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