Dublin street snapper to be featured in documentary

THOUSANDS of Dubliners passed him by every day, and many had their photograph taken by him but few actually knew anything about the man behind the camera on O’Connell Bridge.

His name was Arthur Fields and he became a Dublin institution. Over the course of 50 years Raheny man Arthur took an estimated 182,500 snapshots back in the days before digital cameras and mobile phones.

According to Arthur’s son, Philip Fields, Arthur didn’t mind standing on the bridge in all weathers and enjoyed almost every minute of his unusual career.

“It was his life,

? recalls Philip.

“He just loved going in, that’s what he loved to do. To be able to endure it for over 50 years and to the age that he took photographs, you have to love your job.

?

Arthur’s story is now to be featured in an online documentary – Man on Bridge: 50 Years as a Photographer on O’Connell Bridge – and Dubliners are being asked to help with the project.

The documentary will act as a collection point for the many photographs taken by Arthur over the years and will enable the public to contribute their photos taken by the legendary photographer to a web based archive.

This growing database of user-submitted photos will be integrated into the online story of Arthur on a rolling basis as more and more photos are submitted.

Combining video, archival still image, text and audio, Man on Bridge will allow users to explore Arthur’s life, the photos he took and the impact his images have had on the lives of the people he captured on film.

It’s hoped the project will remind Dubliners how important touchstones like Arthur are to the social fabric of a city. Many Dubs will have an Arthur Fields photo buried away in their collection and Man on Bridge aims to bring together as many of these cherished snaps as possible.

Dave Clarke of El Zorrero Films, the production company behind Man on Bridge, explained the significance of the documentary project.

“Ultimately, in a time when we are over-photographed, we want Man on Bridge to remind people how important the physical photo can be as an object to value and hold on to for years,

? he said.

Man on Bridge is an entry in the Arthur Guinness Projects: a major cultural initiative, which has been developed to champion and celebrate people whose ideas, passion and spirit are enhancing and shaping culture and identity in today’s Ireland.

?¢ Arthur Fields is pictured waiting to capture passers-by on O’Connell Bridge