Topic: Star*ucks & Arty Photos

[Ed Wenn]

OK, so for a million reasons best not gone into on this forum I never venture into a Sta*ucks for my coffee, but last week our office was so overcrowded that a few of us had to hit the streets for a meeting and we ended up in the Hannover St, Edinburgh (Scotland) branch or the suspect coffee vendor. After a few minutes feeling self-conscious and wondering whether I'd need a really long shower that night to rid myself of the shame I started looking around the place and I noticed that they had some really arty photography on the walls. Not just your usual sub-Athena stuff, but something like the photos you'd find on Filmwasters, or any of several other like-minded places. All in all not bad.

Full frame printing, blurred edges, vignetting, light leaks...all the usual criminals.

I grabbed someone's camera phone and took some snaps as proof. I've attached them below. The big question is do all Star*ucks branches have photos like this on the walls (tastefully mounted too I'll be the first to admit) and furthermore....does anyone know who took them?

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[tread]

many around here hang local artists' works. many times students and such...that might be the case there Ed...then again, it is the corporate coffee kings, they co-opt everything they thing is hip and futz with it so who knows...

[Tammy]

On the occassion that I break down and go through the drive thru window for my mocha latte (I 've since gotten a stove-top thingy to make my own latte), I can see a very neat photo hanging in the lobby from my vantage point in the car.   Very nicely framed as such.  I have not ventured inside to see if there are more, or see if there's a name attached.  But, i've thought the same thing.  It appears that they do this all over, then (even in TN and KY!??? )

[Ed Wenn]

Thanks for the feedback Tammy & Treado. It kind of freaked me out at the time, but if it's like this all over the place then maybe it's not weird after all. I may scout a few more branches here in the UK and see how prevalent it is.

[FrankB]

Checked on on Oxford Road in Manchester this morning. No joy, just some vintage coffee adverts.

Perhaps Mr Taylor and Ms Burnstine could extend their dominance of the quality UK photographic magazine market (yes, I appreciate that's actually only one publication, but still...!) to the arena of the coffee house...!

Although, with these flippin' stars next to each of our names it's more like a branch of McDonalds in here!

"Yes, qualified on fries at last! Another life goal realised!"

[david b]

I was quite amused to see the drive-thru coffee thing when I was in the States - I don't think that innovation has made it over here yet. Maybe they're trying to keep customers out so they don't smell the horrid burned coffee at Charbucks - or notice that they've replaced all their machines with autos so the "baristas" are now only trained to push the correct button...

(Sorry - back to coffeegeek.com I go...)

[LT]

what is this star*ucks? 

never heard of em. .....


actually, I am partial to the odd coffee, I think the canterbury cathedral one only has arty shallow dof pics of coffee cups and frothy milk.

[HolgaJen]

Just a week or so ago I picked up a card/pamphlet thing at SB advertising a local photo exhibit, it sounded pretty cool.  I haven't gone to check it out yet though.

[lauraburlton]

They often display local artists work at the ones here. I think you just have to ask the manager if you can hang stuff and if they like it you are in.