How It All Began...

"Why benches?"

How many times have I heard that?

It's a niche, and angle, something different. And those that know me... well... know I'm somewhat different (putting it mildly).

During one particularly long stretch of Amy Business trips in late September 2006 and my Friday off (I get a Friday off every four weeks) I chose to go walk.

Didn't have an agenda, didn't have a plan, but I had all day to do it. Started in Hyde Park and walked through the gate near Wellington Arch. Since it had just finished raining there weren't many pedestrians and I think that's what hit me.

Here I was, somewhat lonely, and there was this long row of empty park benches along the path called "Lover's Walk".

Seemed somewhat fitting.

"Lover's Walk" - Hyde Park, London - September 2006

That's how it started. I spent that day walking through parts of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens taking literally hundreds of pictures. Ah... the joys of digital imagery.

The term "Ray's Imaginary Friend" stems from this next photo. Amy and I sat in Green Park, and noticed a bench near a gas lamp. As I seized the opportunity, as “artists” often do, Amy amused herself in watching the reactions of a family standing behind me patiently waiting for the "subject" to become available.

It was then upon my rejoining her that she inquired, “Did they ask about your imaginary friend?”

The rest is history.

Green Park, London - October 2006