Arthur Fields: the man who stood on O’Connell bridge – in pictures

Irish writer Brendan Behan, who became known for his drinking problem as well as his literary talents, pictured with his wife, Beatrice Ffrench-Salkeld, 1950s Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

Fields’s wife, Doreen, who was originally from London, photographed by her husband in the early 1940s. At home they turned one of the rooms into a darkroom where she developed his photographs. ‘She’d go into Dublin city and see her husband from time to time,’ says Arthur’s son Philip. ‘It’d be natural for all the family to have their photographs taken.’ Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

American film star Gene Tierney with unknown man, early 1950s. In the background, Nelson’s Pillar stands intact (the monument was destroyed in 1966 by a bomb planted by former IRA members). Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

Three young men in the 1950s. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

Prince Monolulu (pictured here with Arthur Fields) claimed to be a prince of Abyssinia, but in truth was born in the Caribbean. Fields had a keen interest in horses, and probably first met Monolulu (real name Peter Carl Mackay) on the horse-racing scene, where Monolulu had develped a career as a tipster and general colourful character with his catchphrase ‘I’ve gotta horse!’ Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

A vintage print showing English character actress Margaret Rutherford, best known for her portrayal of amateur detective Miss Marple in a number of films, with her husband, actor Stringer Davis, 1960s. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

A family caught by Arthur's camera in the late 1940s. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

Fashionable young Dubliners in the 1960s. Mini-skirts were considered risqué in ultra-conservative Ireland. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

The punk look comes to Ireland in the late 1970s. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

A young George Harrison, left, is pictured by Arthur on a visit to Dublin with his mother, Louise Harrison (née French), who had some Irish heritage, and one of his older brothers, c1950. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

Arthur Fields pictured in the 50s on O'Connell bridge. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney/elzorrerofilms.ie

Arthur Fields pictured on O'Connell bridge with his Polaroid camera, which became the choice camera for his work in the 1980s. Photograph: Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie

A signed and dated Polaroid from 1988 that Arthur took at the very end of his career. He signed it with the name Abraham Feldman, his original Jewish name. The man pictured is a French tourist who sent a copy to his son three years ago. Photograph: Arthur Fields/Ciaran Deeney / elzorrerofilms.ie