BUSWORLD PHOTOGRAPHY

I AM CHRISTOPHER LEACH THE ARTIST. I started this blog so that I can share with everyone my vast collection of transport photographs showing a personal and nostalgic view of the industry with images that span some 45 years taking in the U.K and some of Europe. I have no darkroom and so rather than being the perfectionist after tidying them up I upload the images warts and all, and even those that won't scan squarely or are scratched. In a way it adds age and character. You are all free to download these for your personal use but please remember I still own them and you are not just free to use them without prior permission for any knd of publishing. Click on images to enlarge them and if you want to see more leave your comments or visit my website for the mother-site with galleries including those Buses & Girls: PICTUREWORLD

Sunday 23 March 2008

Berlin BVG: Ugly Ducklings


If one were to compile a list of the World's ugliest double-deckers I'm sure the works built 105 East German Type DO 56 built in 1956-7 would certainly qualify for that dubious honour. This one was thankfully retained by the East German BVG and following German Reunification was kept as part of the unified heritage fleet. The gatemen at the Berlin bus garages were often very helpful and on this occasion didn't object to my request to take a photo of this interesting bus when it was parked outside in the sunshine the since closed Charlottenburg, Helmholtzstr Garage in the Tiergarten. The trouble is looks are deceptive and quirkiness can not only nurture affection it can have an appeal all of it's own. Indeed terrible ugliness can become quite beautiful in it's own right whereas by comparison the little VW minibus parked alongside might look modern in every way but will always be slightly ugly too because it is boring. Of course for all I know the future might bring worse things and it might after all become a time-capsule full of charm and character.

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