Daniel Durrans

https://mastodon.durrans.com/@dan

Street & documentary photographer, exploring the urban environment and human world.

Tech leader working in automotive financing and fleet management.

Bristolian who is generally disappointed at the state of local politics.

Grumpy about national and world politics. Trying to be part of the tofu eating wokerati, but without actually having to eat tofu.

Occasional cat pictures & toots about home life.

#Bristol #StreetPhotography #DocumentaryPhotography #ProtestPhotography

Website: https://www.durrans.com
Photography: https://www.danieldurrans.com
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Bristol, UK

Public Key

npub1gprcjhu8x487pu05m6nf5sm5tg3z9xvkv5ajlpvvcx44c0afnfpqj4cqqg

NIP-05 Address

dan_at_mastodon.durrans.com@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsyq3uft7rn2nlq786daf56gd695g3znxtx2we0skxvr26u875e5sspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsp2pne8

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1gprcjhu8x487pu05m6nf5sm5tg3z9xvkv5ajlpvvcx44c0afnfpqj4cqqg

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Last Notes

2026-03-29 09:53:26 UTC

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It felt big, but not as big as the Brexit protests back in the day. Hard to judge if it was bigger or smaller than the ‘Tommy' march. Borderline maybe. Didn't feel like half a million... but much bigger than 50k.
For context I am a protest photographer who often sees both the front and back of protests and have a rough idea how long it takes them all to file into whitehall.
The music event in Trafalgar Square also made judging numbers difficult since people were going into that before the march even arrived.

2026-03-28 18:33:26 UTC

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I was there when it happened. The police let them sit there for quite a while until the arrests began. Most of the people were carried away in handcuffs to waiting police vans. Some were dragged.
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/116/308/233/423/672/732/original/840b825461c44c88.jpeg

2026-03-15 14:18:22 UTC

Would anyone be interested in a copy of my mum's ginger cake recipe? It's one of my favourite memories of her.
Edit: Reply added with full recipe! https://mastodon.durrans.com/@dan/116233748301023298

2026-02-22 08:35:50 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/116/113/365/250/611/796/original/1640ac8767334e0e.jpeg

2026-02-16 17:56:47 UTC

Well... I asked my #cat Costa if he wanted to say anything to @npub16kg…afn8 and here's what I got in return… (audio is needed)
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/116/081/595/477/553/705/original/d64dea1cf2e4fa94.mp4

2026-02-09 06:59:01 UTC

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I have contemplated this, but I think that it is also related to how senior managers feel work gets done. In a senior manager role you 'get work done' by meeting with people, having impromptu conversations, being visible, pressing the flesh, building relationships, and crafting messaging based on what they know about the people you want to influence. Soft skills which feel better in person than via a video call.
It is no surprise to me that those who appear most keen to be back in the office are those in sales, customer relations, and leadership roles. While it is also no surprise that those in roles that demand extended periods of focus would prefer a quiet and comfortable distraction free environment.

2026-02-01 15:23:28 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/996/059/568/787/496/original/f86321352c9bfa91.jpeg

2025-12-30 06:49:07 UTC

I didn't realise gov.uk already had a web page that told you what day of the week it is… nice!
#Tuesday #govuk #ukgov
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/807/180/856/398/409/original/9aa9ae603a52ad33.png

2025-12-26 06:41:33 UTC

Turned the toilet roll the correct way round at the in-law's house yesterday.
For any of you struggling as to what the correct way round is... “fringes not mullets”.

2025-12-19 21:53:09 UTC

Butlins Minehead.
That's what this reminds me of.
#TOTP

2025-11-30 13:02:12 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/638/778/547/852/249/original/287d6fcb3a4c0cb7.jpeg

2025-10-11 17:15:21 UTC

The correct number of items before paging is needed is between 1000 and 10000. If I have to download all your javascript you can at least send more than 20 rows of data.

2025-09-27 06:11:24 UTC

Happy #Caturday!
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/274/775/036/154/906/original/f507f940c3c30bb9.mp4

2025-09-14 13:27:26 UTC

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16/n
Amongst the shouting, the flag waving, the placard carrying, and the chants of protest you can find little moments of humour.
In here, life is beautiful.
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/202/879/863/740/336/original/33e8893384b16a57.jpeg

2025-09-14 13:02:23 UTC

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15/n
Many tourists were caught up in the protests, hiding in shops and doorways as the events ebbed and flowed around them. This is the heart of our capital city, and for many it was shocking and scary.
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/202/781/357/772/367/original/80ba97c0615aee48.jpeg

2025-09-14 12:47:53 UTC

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14/n
I don't normally censor faces in my photography, but I am also aware that Antifa specifically do not consent to being photographed and I felt that this was an interesting enough photo to post.
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/202/724/392/230/081/original/c7c646d708a52648.jpeg

2025-09-14 10:40:23 UTC

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13/n
Side note and general muzzings:
I think the ‘right' have an easy message on the streets, which to me is summed up as, “your life is a bit shit, it has been a bit shit for over a decade, there is little hope for it getting better, all these others are the problem, join us and your life will be better.”
Whereas the ‘left' has a harder message on the streets, which to me is summed up as, “you need to care about all these causes, some of which are in countries far away, and there is no easy solution, and these streets... the ones you are standing on and that your parents stood on, and their parents… they belong to us... a group of people who you already struggle to relate to”.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 10:21:29 UTC

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12/n
It wasn't all flags and chants...
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/202/148/720/330/548/original/51b636e06b266d3a.jpeg

2025-09-14 10:06:37 UTC

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11/n
I love the Welsh word for 'police’
Heddlu!
Well heddlu to you too!
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 10:01:02 UTC

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10/n
I managed to get a bit closer, even with a security contingent keeping everyone back, and made a photo of the man himself.
Unless you were in this crowd, it is hard to describe how much they love ‘Our Tommy'. He is their saviour. They are following him, and he can do no wrong.
What I did notice was that his head was bowed down for the brief time I was able to follow this part of the march. It wasn't just to check his phone... this was over an extended period.
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/202/068/299/186/886/original/72179155eeb01bc6.jpeg

2025-09-14 09:43:33 UTC

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9/n
This is what the 'right's march towards Westminster looked like. I think that's Katie Hopkins that I managed to take a photo of isn't it?
#London #Protest
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/115/201/999/551/125/438/original/c3b9c9338180ee99.jpeg

2025-09-14 09:09:13 UTC

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8/n
I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but a large and shouty group of ‘right' managed to get into the top of Whitehall, blocking the ‘left’ from being able to leave.
Police lines formed and tried to keep everyone apart. Horse moved in and the odd scuffle broke out. Bottles were thrown. I also saw two fireworks thrown into the crowd.
My observations about the policing:
- There were not enough police on the ground to set up effective police lines with zones of separation. The lines were razor thin and made it impossible for the police to push either side away from each other.
- It could have been much more violent had people not had a certain amount of self restraint. The police wouldn't have been able to stop it.
- The police completely failed to keep the protests away from each other.
- When lines did form, they often separated people who belonged to the same group.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 09:01:08 UTC

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7/n
Policing was a shit show. I feel for the officers on the ground because there simply were not enough of them to keep the left and right apart. The following is what I saw in the afternoon while walking around The Strand, Trafalgar Square (and that end of Whitehall), and Northumberland Avenue.
I was standing at the top of Whitehall. Small family/friend groups of flag clad people were making their way to the 'right' rally, having missed the start of their march earlier in the day.
The 'left’ was marching down The Strand towards Whitehall, with the vanguard of the protest arriving at their stage and started giving speeches.
A gap in the 'left' formed at the top of Whitehall and suddenly the ‘right' were there at the top of Northumberland Avenue and outside Charing Cross. Both sides shouting at each other. A razor thin police line formed to keep the two sides apart.
The ‘right' grew in number at the top of Northumberland Ave with police vans used as barricades. The remainder of the ‘left' filed into Whitehall, while people clad in flags shouted at them from either side (with the left shouting back I might add).
A group of Antifa stood around the statue of Charles I and were quickly cut off from the 'left’ in Whitehall.
By this point the crowds were as follows:
- ‘Right' at the top of Northumberland Ave, blocked by police.
- ‘Right' in Trafalgar Square
- ‘Left' in Whitehall
- Antifa around Charles I
- ' Right' down the bottom of Whitehall
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 08:37:38 UTC

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6/n
There were a lot of “normal" people on the ‘right’. Yes there were groups of lads, groups of people looking a little too serious, groups of people wearing lots of baker-boy caps, and groups shouting about ‘Our Tommy’.
But there were also children, families, and “normal" people you might see on any protest. This shouldn’t be underestimated. There is a message here that is appealing to many who might not ordinarily come out and protest.
I think they are dissatisfied after over a decade of Tory austerity and an underwhelming Brexit. Dissatisfied that they still feel worse off under Labour. Dissatisfied that they can't get a GP appointment, or a place for their child in the school they want. Dissatisfied and with little hope for the future. Then along comes Reform with a message of hope, and all that needs to be done is to stop the boats.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 07:47:12 UTC

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5/n
Prior to the speeches the mood amongst the 'right' was relatively jovial. I struggle to describe it without resorting to using stereotypes, but something akin to the following might paint a picture:
- Football supporters before a big game
- Lads night out / stag night in a big city between 3pm and 7pm (had some beers, not drunk yet)
- Benidorm in the height of summer
As for the chants:
- Eng-ger-lund, Eng-ger-lund, Eng-ger-lund
- Oh Tommy Tommy, Tommy Tommy Tommy Tommy Robinson
- Kier is a wanker, Kier is a wanker, na na na na
- Stop the boats (although not chanted as much as I was expecting).
There was also echos of the ‘left's chants such as “Whose streets, our streets" although this was the exception not the norm.
The chants are non-committal. With the exception of stopping the boats, they don't commit to any particular demand.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 06:02:02 UTC

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4/n
The Unite the Kingdom rally felt professional. Remember the anti-Brexit protests where there were big screens down Whitehall, a stage, camera crews, sound engineers, people who know how to host an event? Now picture exactly the same set-up but for yesterday. It must have cost quite a bit - I don't know how much it costs to rent a big TV screen mounted on a crane but I am guessing it's not cheap.
Walking further along Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square there was another smaller stage with a few speakers stacked on top of each other. This was the ‘left’s' patch and it looked like something you would find at a village fete.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 05:41:07 UTC

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3/n
There was a surprising (to me) emphasis on Christianity in the Unite the Kingdom rally. I am aware there is likely to be US money involved here, but I was a little taken aback at the amount of wooden crucifix being carried along, flags proclaiming the word of christ, chants and slogans about England being a christian country.
It's hard to know if these are strongly held beliefs, or that there were just enough believers in the crowd to make it look pervasive. Still, it was a far cry from ‘christian for christmas' that I usually associate with England.
At one point a lad got up on one of the stone lions adorning Westminster bridge and was given a huge cheer when he held aloft a crucifix in one hand and an England flag in the other.
#London #Protest

2025-09-14 05:35:21 UTC

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2/n
Everyone thinks Kier Starmer is a wanker. Left and right are absolutely aligned on this. Probably for very different reasons, but Labour have a serious leadership problem that they need to acknowledge and address. It will lose them the next election.
#TommyRobinson #London #Protest

2025-09-14 05:34:29 UTC

Reflections on yesterday's protests in #London. 1/n
Background info:
I like photographing protests. It's a hobby and I have been doing it for over 10 years. Mainly in Bristol and London. My politics are left, but I try to suppress my bias when behind the lens - not always an easy thing to do.
I went to London specifically to photograph the protests. I arrived at about 10am and left at about 6. I spent most of my time amongst ‘Tommy' supporters - unusual for me as generally I walk amongst the ‘left’. Westminster Bridge, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, The Strand, and Northumberland Avenue was my patch for the day - apart from when the rain came and I spent a nice half hour browsing in Waterstones.
The following reflections are my random thoughts about the day based on what I saw, my own personal bias, and what I have seen at recent protests.

2025-08-16 13:02:03 UTC

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“I won't click that otherwise I’ll be seeing similar for weeks…. oh right, Mastodon... *click*”

2025-07-27 17:52:43 UTC

“He was a beautiful butterfly!”
#Butterflies #Butterfly #SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/926/469/836/752/053/original/cbe2da7541d76638.jpeg

2025-07-26 06:56:05 UTC

People used to use a VPN to pretend to be in the UK when they were slapping on lotion in Spain.
Now people use a VPN to pretend to be in Spain when they are slapping on lotion in their bedroom.

2025-07-18 05:22:19 UTC

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I would also add… wanting to do something quickly and finding that you have been inadvertently signed out and now you need faff around with logging back in again.
This is why I am not currently able to listen to Apple Music in my car.

2025-06-22 05:50:51 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/725/450/408/579/920/original/e9e44c8a1d6cd612.jpeg

2025-05-24 05:14:37 UTC

Starbuck is extremely angry that I have made my own breakfast before giving him his. #Caturday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/561/100/992/802/410/original/99d5812e443f603e.jpeg

2025-05-18 13:17:53 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/529/027/375/471/794/original/c6c09f69615a769e.jpeg

2025-04-12 07:13:03 UTC

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https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/323/749/617/127/947/original/6106981e5e401fc8.png

2025-03-30 19:25:22 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/253/019/153/296/374/original/e90857b705310abd.jpeg

2025-03-22 12:21:37 UTC

Is he my guardian cat? Is he my conscience? #Caturday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/206/054/438/920/642/original/267ce77463081d76.jpeg

2025-03-02 16:48:44 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/114/093/858/556/822/239/original/c3fd19ede80e50ec.jpeg

2025-02-02 07:34:41 UTC

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these are apparently not true varifocals but do have a boost at the bottom of the lens to help me with near vision.
I know it is just my brain but it does make you question if they got the prescription right and also if they made the lenses correctly.

2025-02-02 06:35:58 UTC

Does anyone else have to retrain their brain when they get new glasses? I notice it especially in my right eye which feels a bit warm and itchy. The right eye also has a worse astigmatism than the left, which is probably not helping.

2025-01-25 11:56:53 UTC

I went outside.
It's very cold. Do not recommend.

2024-12-29 15:09:58 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/736/744/627/658/513/original/b210f18309e967ec.jpeg

2024-12-07 17:13:52 UTC

#Caturday pillow fort.
This little one went to the vet for his annual check-up and vaccination. He also had his ears cleaned out (which was disgusting). The little chap was as good as gold. #CatsOfMastodon
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/612/661/022/695/980/original/fea9d17e08be9eb7.jpeg

2024-11-27 22:34:06 UTC

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not sure this is the same as what you are talking about but my handle is @npub1gpr…cqqg which is actually mastodon.durrans.com.

2024-11-17 09:56:18 UTC

I can't decide if Emma is doing a puzzle or preparing her battle plans. #JigsawPuzzles
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/497/694/258/941/332/original/29e51a07ad0ab663.jpeg

2024-11-04 07:01:08 UTC

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In another level of the game, whenever the player walks outside it is drizzling. This doesn't hamper their vision particularly, but is very annoying. On walking back into a building, their glasses go foggy for a few minutes.

2024-11-03 19:51:23 UTC

#SilentSunday #Photography #DocumentaryPhotography #Caravan
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/420/761/849/119/592/original/e74f72c70a88af0e.jpeg

2024-10-25 06:16:06 UTC

To get my Mastodon server going, I have set up some relays using fedi.buzz. Even with a fairly limited set of relay servers (mostly UK based), the amount of media storage is huge. Growing at 1 to 2GB per day.
I can't help but think this is quite inefficient - yes it is distributing the content but at the same time there must be *so many* copies of the same media sitting on servers around the world, not to mention the amount of bandwidth being used.

2024-10-24 06:08:02 UTC

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Our streets are filled with moments of humanity, we just need to unglue our eyes from our phones and look around.
#StreetPhotography #CanPubPhoto #London #Routemaster #Love
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/360/900/532/222/779/original/dee0f8261dce7456.jpeg

2024-10-24 06:06:25 UTC

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My photography isn't always about the urban environment. Documenting the absurdity and mundanity of humanity can happen anywhere. I have particularly enjoyed visiting summer shows, the smaller and more parochial the better.
This photo was made at Portishead Horticultural Society Summer Show.
#Portishead #DocumentaryPhotography #PunchAndJudy
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/360/893/561/475/744/original/b74c7f90de1d0b6f.jpeg

2024-10-24 06:04:54 UTC

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Our lives are filled with moments of hilarity, stupidity, absurdity, and frustration. I like to be there to make photographs of life, as it happens.
I made this photograph in an area of Bristol known as The Bear Pit. It was a haven of self expression through graffiti that changed weekly, but due in part to anti-social behaviour was sterilised back to being an underpass through a roundabout.
#StreetPhotography #CanPubPhoto #Bristol
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/360/887/036/168/631/original/35c1cf4e7ef7b7d0.jpeg

2024-10-23 21:00:30 UTC

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One week after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled from this plinth, this All Lives Matter protest was held with the stated goal of, "protecting the Cenotaph".
It wasn't clear to me who they were protecting it from or why they thought it was under threat.
#DocumentaryPhotography #ProtestPhotography #Bristol
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/358/746/893/578/582/original/d0bd7b506d5f90c3.jpg

2024-10-23 20:58:50 UTC

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Bristol has been dubbed the City of Protest, with rarely a week going by without a demonstration or march winding through the streets.
This photo was made in in September 2020 after a series of Black Lives Matter protests were held in the city as a response to the killing of George Floyd.
#DocumentaryPhotography #ProtestPhotography #Bristol #BLM
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/358/740/543/297/991/original/d1fb8477c7e2ee3c.jpg

2024-10-23 20:52:41 UTC

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I made this photo while walking through the City of London in May this year. After two years of pandemic, and all restrictions recently lifted, was this a reminder of the past or a portent of what was soon to come?
#StreetPhotography #DocumentaryPhotography #CanPubPhoto #London
https://mastodon.durrans.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/358/715/224/477/001/original/09fd06544d3dede0.jpg

2024-10-23 20:37:34 UTC

#Introduction
I am a street photographer, making candid photographs of people in public spaces. Documenting our public areas in this way allows me to capture the humour, mundanity, beauty and inelegance of daily life in our urban environment.
I am also a technology leader working in the mobility and fleet automotive sector, with occasional toots about EVs.
Likely to toot about:
- #StreetPhotography
- #Bristol (UK)
- #Caturday
- #Doughnuts
- #Coffee
- Tech
- Politics (Local & national)