Summary:
Street Photography isn’t about wandering aimlessly with a camera — it’s about discipline. What you need is a set of photographer rules or guidelines. The kind that forces you into challenges, constraints, and corners until you start seeing what others miss. In this episode, “A Set of Photography Rules for Creative Freedom,” we dig into why limitations can unlock your best work, how rules sharpen your eye, and why discomfort is the quickest way out of a creative brick wall.
If you’ve been stuck, sleepwalking through shoots, this one’s a wake-up call. Creative freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever you want — it comes from giving yourself rules strong enough to break you open.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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Summary:
In this video Lashmar, aka the Street Thief, talks about his honeymoon in Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans and Vegas with his bride Katie. He gets into talking about shooting the Ricoh and how he has a love hate relationship with the camera but is back on good terms with it. He also gets into the corporate Disneyworld which is vegas, Sun Studios, Gracelands, the Civil Rights Musuem and how people are more willing to have their portrait taken in the USA.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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This podcast is a little different from the usual as it's two days before Gary Lashmar, aka the Street Thief, marries his beautiful bridge Katie Dwight. They chat and never fear ... they're still keeping it real and keeping it raw.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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Summary:
Ever notice how your best frames happen when you are not worried or freaking out.
This episode drifts through the messy brilliance of accidents, the gift of relaxing into your shoot, and why gripping too tight strangles your shots.
Takeaways:
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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In this episode, I ramble through two days spent at the Albion Rooms in Margate with Max and a band of beautiful scoundrels. I talk vampires in the studio, ghosts in the attic, and how — whether I'm shooting musicians, streets, or strangers — my photography approach never really changes. Same eye. Same mischief. Same hunt for the raw bits nobody else sees.
You'll hear stories of bacon sarnies that saved my soul, studio lulls that stretch forever, and how street instincts creep into every backstage frame. Also: a tiny glimpse at the documentary I've been accidentally shooting for six years.
Mentions:
Takeaway:
It doesn’t matter if I’m in a dingy alley or a velvet-draped studio — the hunt is the same. The mischief is the same. That’s the real thrill of photography.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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The Dare Photography Podcast is back — still proudly not sponsored by Squarespace, Sony or any other bollocks.
In this episode, Gary fires up about why YouTube keeps burying his best work and why the blandest, safest crap always seems to rise to the top. He talks about the Albion Rooms and an upcoming shoot with Max Bianco ahead of his new album recording with guest Pete Doherty, calls out all the gear-chasers who think you can buy better vision, and breaks down how forcing a square format totally tripped him up.
He also gets real about how life (like getting married soon) spills into your photos whether you like it or not, how we’re all quietly dealing with our own mess, and what’s coming up — from London street portraits to a camera-packed honeymoon.
Plus: savage listener questions on shooting close, getting strangers to say yes, and why he sticks to London over more ‘exotic’ places like Cuba or Morocco. Spoiler: it’s not because he’s lazy.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
Welcome back to The Dare Photography Podcast — the world’s most disruptive photography podcast. Probably.
In this episode, Gary Lashmar (aka The Street Thief, The Smudge with a Grudge, and The Johnny Cash of Street Photography) answers the raw, uncomfortable, and often hilarious questions photographers are too afraid to ask in public.
Is there real money in street photography, or is it all smoke, mirrors, and Instagram likes? What does it actually take to build a zine that feels like you? And are most people just hiding behind “ethics” because they’re scared to take the shot?
From photographing famous faces like The Libertines and Rob Beckett, to dissecting the myths of creative success, Gary brings 16 years of street grit, hard-earned wisdom, and no-nonsense guidance.
If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, fame, ethics, or Photoshop layers at 3AM — this one’s for you.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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Welcome back to The Dare Photography Podcast. Today’s episode is for the ones getting in their own way—the ones who know too much, think too much, and feel stuck because they’ve forgotten how it felt to be new.
We’re talking about beginner’s mind—why it’s not just for rookies, but the key to staying alive creatively. We’ll unpack why the most dangerous thing in photography isn’t failure—it’s comfort. Why chasing connection in the moment can be a trap. Why fear doesn’t need fixing—it needs honouring. And why the best images often speak to you long after you’ve shot them.
If you’re out there overthinking every shot, waiting for confidence, chasing gear, chasing perfection—this one’s for you. Strip it back. Remember how you saw everything when you started. That’s the power we’re trying to reclaim.
So let’s get into it. No fluff. No filters. Just truth.
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
Is boredom just fear in disguise? In this raw, rambling, but razor-sharp episode of The Dare Photography Podcast, Gary Lashmar – aka The Smudge with a Grudge – tears into the myth of boredom, the lie of new gear as inspiration, and the grind it takes to get good. From street portraits to the Six Bells in Cambridge, this one’s laced with love letters to the underdog, creative discomfort, and Max Bianco’s move to Camden. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or just itching to swap your camera instead of facing your fear – press play. There’s gold in the repetition. And fire in the boredom.
LASHMAR on YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
I’m not unhappy with my photography — but I know I want more from it. In this episode, I’m stripping it all back and going back to basics with my street photography. I talk about how I’m shaking things up by shooting in shorter, sharper bursts. Less wandering, more intention. Less waiting, more wakefulness. It’s a mindset shift that’s already helping me reconnect with what I love about raw street photography — that edge, that unpredictability, that honesty.
I’ve switched to a 20mm lens (13mm on the Fuji), which has completely changed the way I shoot. Wide angle lenses force you to get close and be deliberate — no hiding, no laziness. It’s a decision that’s reinvigorating my entire approach to Fuji photography.
Plus: one quote from Susan Sontag that hit me like a freight train, and a reminder that feeling unbalanced might be the best place to start.
LASHMAR on YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
A little bit of a rant and … the way I see it there are positive rants and negative rants. This is a positive one. Street Photography is a young medium and in actual fact so is street photography false stop. There are all of these rules and guidelines which are important but there are not so important that people should be scared to stick to not abide by them as if there are some kind of religion.
LASHMAR on YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
PODCAST SHOW NOTESTITLE: 🎬 "Behind the Screens: Daniella Vale on Her Monumental NYC Installation"
In this episode, I sit down with Daniella Vale—a filmmaker, photographer, and creative director whose work spans continents and mediums. From early beginnings in Tokyo's documentary scene to collaborations with Cannes-recognized directors in Mumbai, Daniella has built a diverse portfolio. Her projects include work with VICE, MTV, Google, Prada, and artists like Alicia Keys and Deepak Chopra.
We delve into her latest endeavor: Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US, a monumental public art installation in Manhattan. Spanning over six acres along First Avenue between 38th and 41st Streets, the exhibit features 45 large-scale screens displaying portraits and audio stories from 50 Americans. This immersive experience invites visitors to reflect on themes of liberty, equality, and unity, serving as a prelude to the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026.
Daniella shares insights into the project's conception, the stories behind the faces, and the challenges of bringing such a large-scale installation to life in the heart of New York City.
PATH OF LIBERTY DETAILS
https://www.instagram.com/pathoflibertynyc/
Website
Book your Free Ticket
https://embed.prod.simpletix.com/d5938e0e-0618-4a8a-9ee4-29eebc5e1603/213343
DANIELLAS INFORMATION
Website
https://www.instagram.com/daniellava/
MY DETAILS
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
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Here’s something new: pretty much for the first time, I’m bringing my podcast right here to YouTube. Same raw, unfiltered photography chat — just now with a face (mine) and a bit of extra edge.
In this episode, it’s me there’s a whole bunch of me feeling this new format out whilst I’m not new to youtube or indeed chatting to you the audience I’m new to doing both at the same time. This is the disruptive photography podcast. Real, raw chat and opinion in an attempt to break down the myths and must-dos in the street, portrait and photography industry full stop.
No fluff. No gear worship. No trend-chasing. Just real talk about how to keep your work sharp, your eyes open, and your creative edge honed. Whether you’re deep in the street scene or just looking to shake yourself awake creatively, there’s something here for you.
And I want to hear from you — all of you.
Podcast listeners, YouTube viewers — what do you think of this video format? Is it working for you? Does it add something new you want more of? Drop a comment, leave a message, let me know. Your feedback matters and will help shape where I take this next.
So — hit play, welcome to the first-ever YouTube drop, and let’s get into it.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
With the next Dare Photography Experience just a week away, this episode dives into why workshops like this matter — and why most photographers hit a wall despite all the tutorials, books, and gear advice out there.
We’re not talking surface-level fixes here. We’re talking about the deeper shifts: how to break through creative plateaus, why discomfort is essential for growth, and what kind of support actually helps you move forward — both as a photographer and a person.
If you’re curious why the Dare Photography Experience keeps selling out — or just want to understand what kind of mindset change unlocks real progress — this episode is for you.
In this episode of The Dare Photography Podcast, I dig into the connection between mental health and street photography—from raw self-doubt to waking up and potentially experiencing a healthier state of mental health. I talk about the need to challenge ourselves, to step outside the groove of familiarity and to operate more fully in the now moment. This ain’t a polished self-help chat and still my hope is that it is useful. I talk from my experience hopefully without preaching. This is not about fixing anybody. People are fine as they are. They perhaps just need a little light to guide the way.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
In this episode of The Dare Photography Podcast, I dig into the connection between mental health and street photography—from raw self-doubt to waking up and potentially experiencing a healthier state of mind. I talk about the need to challenge ourselves, to step outside the groove of familiarity and to operate more fully in the now moment. This ain’t a polished self-help chat and still my hope is that it is useful. I talk from my experience hopefully without preaching. This is not about fixing anybody. People are fine as they are. They perhaps just need a little light to guide the way.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
In this episode I’m calling bullshit on the illusion of progress being sold to photographers everywhere. Street Photographers gain confidence through rigour - not comfort.
Confidence isn’t something you get—it’s something you do. And yet, the industry keeps pushing the idea that buying more gear, upgrading cameras, or chasing the latest lens will somehow make you brave, better, or bolder. It won’t.
This episode is a conversation about urgency, discomfort, and the real work behind building confidence—not only in street photography, but in life. You’ll hear thoughts on:
This is raw, real, and hopefully exactly the nudge you didn’t know you needed.
Listen. Feel. Share. And if it hits—subscribe, so I can keep creating more like it.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
INSTAGARM
EP 50 - Zoomento Unfiltered: Flash Street Portraits and the Death of Safe Photography
🔗 Listen in full via bio link
with SPECIAL GUEST
Bold, flash-fuelled and 100% unfiltered—this episode we’re joined by the one and only @Zoomento: Paris-based, US-born flash street photographer and founder of the Street Badass community.
We talk about:
⚡️ Owning your space as a photographer
🔥 Breaking the rules with flash
🧠 Creative instincts & confronting the scene
🚫 Saying no to boring street photography
Music by MAX BIANCO
For our 50th episode, we’re celebrating in proper Dare style—by kicking down the doors with none other than Zoomento, aka Todd Visser. Born in the States, blazing on the streets of Paris. Flashgun at the ready, Todd’s street portrait is bold, dynamic and heart-felt. Todd is also the founder of the Street Badass community and a walking rebellion against monotonous street photography. The perfect 50th anniversary guest.
In this raw and unfiltered convo, we talk creative instincts, bold aesthetics, and why flash street portraiture ain’t just a style—it’s a statement. We explore what it means to own your presence, to confront the scene, and to flip the script on what the so-called rules of street photography say you should be doing.
This one’s for the ones who refuse to blend in. Let’s go.
ALL THINGS TODD
Todd
https://www.instagram.com/zoomento
Street Badass
https://www.instagram.com/street_badass
COMING UP - LONDON STREET PHOTOGRAPHY FEST
NOTE - PARIS EXHIBITION / 16-20 APRIL PARIS
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
🎧 Show Notes Introduction:
This episode gets real. I’m diving headfirst into the questions you’ve been asking—from handling aggression on the street, to kit essentials, to finding your groove in the pouring rain. But more than that, I’m calling out the trap so many fall into: boring street photography.
The truth? I want accidents. I welcome chaos. I don’t chase perfection—I chase the unpredictable moments that actually make the shot. If you're stuck overthinking, paralysed by gear settings, or too focused on getting it “right,” this one's for you.
Unfiltered. Unpolished. Street photography as it should be.
Let’s go.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
What if Johnny Rotten were a street Photographer?
Welcome to The Dare Photography Podcast — where attitude meets aperture, and creativity refuses to be caged. In this raw and rebellious solo episode, Gary Lashmar (aka the Street Thief) riffs hard on the spirit of punk and what it means for photography today. He doesn’t just talk photography — he smashes the industry's obsession with perfection and shouts for photographers to reclaim their voice, their edge, and their guts.
With Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols as the unexpected muse, this episode draws fierce parallels between punk rock and street photography. It’s a call to arms for anyone tired of safe compositions, golden hour clichés, or chasing likes on Instagram. Gary asks: What if we shot like we sang punk — loud, imperfect, and unapologetically real?
If Johnny Rotten had a camera instead of a mic, he wouldn’t be chasing bokeh or hiding in shadows. He’d be in your face, making noise, rejecting sterile trends, and setting the frame on fire. That’s the vibe we need in photography now more than ever — a refusal to conform and a hunger to break the rules.
Gary takes you through his own memories — growing up in Limehouse, East London, just missing the full wave of punk, but never missing its spirit. He name-drops Elvis, the Beatles, the Maharishi phase, and even Britpop (which, let’s be honest, never really carried the same weight). It’s not about genre. It’s about shaking shit up.
And that’s the heart of this episode: attitude. Not the kind that’s contrived, not the plastic-punk mohawks of the Beckham variety — but that raw, instinctive, rebellious energy that says, I’ll shoot how I want, not how I’m told to. The camera is your weapon, not your comfort blanket.
Gary questions everything — from the anonymous approach to street photography, to the myth of the perfect photo, to the industry’s constant messaging that you need more gear to be “good enough.” Instead, he flips it: embrace your “mistakes,” seek the happy accidents, and stop asking for permission.
He also touches on giving feedback to others, not from a high horse, but by throwing the question back — what do YOU think? It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about finding your own ethics, your own intent, your own voice in the visual noise.
If you’re into rule-breaking, soul-shaking photography conversations — the kind no one else is having — this one’s for you. It’s messy. It’s late-night. It’s full of grit. But it’s real. And in today’s glossy, algorithm-driven world — real is rare.
🔗 Don’t forget to check out Gary’s latest YouTube drop, where he shares insights on wide-angle lenses and why he uses them (not why you should).
📢 Hit play, crank it loud, and remember: your next photo doesn’t need to be pretty. It needs to be true.
A LINK TO THIS PODCAST CHANNEL
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
Everyone wants the shortcut, but here’s the truth: the fastest way to grow your Instagram is to stop pretending and start showing up as your real self—consistently. In this episode, Gary Lashmar (aka The Street Thief) breaks down why being you is your unfair advantage, why copying others is a dead-end, and why growth isn’t just about likes—it’s about credibility.
No gimmicks. No fake fire emojis. Just honesty, intention, and graft.
If you’re tired of chasing algorithms and ready to build something real, this one’s for you.
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/lashmar
THE DARE PHOTOGRAPHY WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
To gain entry to our WhatsApp community, contact Gary and Katie via the webpage:
WEBSITE
• The Street Thief
• Dare (idaretoshoot)
THE INSPIRATION SHOT (weekly photography inspiration)
ZINES
The Way of the Street Photographer
Music by Max Bianco
Thank you for SUBSCRIBING.
Lashmar (aka the Street Thief)
x.
