40 Comments
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Keith Johnson's avatar

So well written Giles, it was great to see your passion for doors first hand. If you ever get to Malta you will find a whole street of decorated doors. This could be confession time for me 😂

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Sian New's avatar

I agree about Malta. Plus, there’s also Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunisia 🇹🇳.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Sian. I hear a door hunting expedition coming on 😁

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Keith. That is so kind of you to say and it sounds like I need to make the trip to Malta. Welcome to Door Club 😁

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GrahamSeamanArt's avatar

Great post Giles. And I too confess to having to stop and shoot the odd door from time to time. Yet another thing which winds my wife up while we're out! 🤣 https://www.flickr.com/gp/9268084@N03/x6x88kS2VR

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Wow that is quite the collection you have there, Graham. Some wonderful shots. Glad I’m not alone with my fascination. My family have even got to where they actively point them out to me if I miss them. Better to get it over and done with I guess is their thinking. 😂

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GrahamSeamanArt's avatar

Indeed.... although there is always the danger that they'll develop the same obsession for them as well! :-)

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Giles Thurston's avatar

🤫 don't give my plan away 🤣

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Dave Mead's avatar

That’s a fabulous post Giles, thanks for sharing. Your love of doors shines through and both the images and words speak of your excitement at having your work validated. I know several other photographers with a keenness for doors, I myself have a collection of Spanish door pictures. I’m looking forward to seeing this project take shape.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Dave and yes this post has opened my eyes to how many others share my obsession/love of doors. Nice to know I am not alone :)

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Rick Bowden's avatar

Brilliant. I love a door and have certainly photographed a few. Great to hear you’re turning it into a project. I look forward to hearing more about it in the future.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Rick. I’m sure I will be sharing more here as it develops 😊

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Tom Schroder's avatar

Great work, Giles. Each of your photos is powerful and shows personality. I'm with you when it comes to doors and for all the reasons you write about. And don't get me started on alleyways. Or any of the other themes I find run through my photography. We all have them, I think. One of the great things I'm finding about Substack is that it's a pretty great place to bring context to entire bodies of work - like your great collection of door photos. Thanks for sharing.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Tom. Glad it resonated with you and many thanks for your kind words. I couldn’t agree with you more about Substack. It’s a wonderful platform to be able to provide context alongside your photography. While all photos are great to look at, they become so much more powerful once you add some words to go with them. Thanks again and have a great day.

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Fernando Coelho's avatar

Such a cool project Giles!

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Fernando 🙏🏻😊

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Lin Gregory's avatar

Great series of images Giles! Nothing wrong with photographing doors at all - they have so much character, speak volumes about the owners of the doors and can tell so many stories. I call these projects we don't tend to talk about 'shadow projects' - more about that in my post tomorrow!

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Oh you tease 😝 Love the idea of “shadow projects” and look forward to your post tomorrow.

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Alicia Paley's avatar

Great project!

I also am attracted to photographing doors, as well as random chairs and shopping carts.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Alicia and fear not, I have plenty of chairs and shopping carts in my catalogue as well. Don't even get me started on bins 😂

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Stillness in Focus's avatar

I don’t find your fascination with doors odd whatsoever. It sounds like a great project and one you would feel engaged with. My own little obsession is with “paths.” Perhaps I will take that a little more seriously based on this wonderful article?

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, David and that sound wonderful as a project idea. Look forward to seeing what you produce 😁

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

You are not alone. 😃 I definitely find myself taken with doors. I also really like a door with a very fancy hinge. But I like all sorts of doors, they need not be fancy. Love all the shots you shared here. Glad you decided to come out with your obsession!

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks and yes, it feels refreshing to share my "dirty little photography secret". Especially when you find out you are not alone as well 😁

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Elaine Schuller's avatar

I have always been in love with doors and the photo challenges and possibilities they pose. Your essay expresses my feelings perfectly!

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Oh I am so pleased Elaine and thanks for the feedback.

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Cedric's avatar

I'm with you on the doors. I also take photos of doors everywhere I go and I now have a huge collection. The way they are the limit between 2 universes (inside and outside, private and public), with a tentalising promise of something special and possibly forbidden on the other side, not forgetting the textures showing their life. Doors are fascinating.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Thanks, Cedric and well said. Great to hear that I’m not the only one to have a catalogue stuffed full of doors 😁

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Brian Deal's avatar

Park benches would be my equivalent. For some reason B - Roll in movies from the 80s/90s made them seem whimsical to me. Especially if there is a good tree next to it.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

I hear your Brian and love a good park bench as well. Trees are good but I also like a good street lamp standing over it as well.

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Neale James's avatar

Donovan Bros. The only place I trust for my paper bags! ;-)

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Why shop anywhere else 😂

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Barry Medlin's avatar

Love doors and windows!!

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Giles Thurston's avatar

That’s good to hear. Thanks, Barry.

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Peter  Armstrong's avatar

I’ve been shooting doors for years. This inspires me to collect some of my captives and share them. I’m also intrigued by tourists snapping other tourists. Reading this I realize I kinda have a thing for alleys too.

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Giles Thurston's avatar

Glad we are both not alone Peter and look forward to seeing your door collection online soon 😁

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