‘Street photography’ as seen through the camera of The Big Issue vendors in London
January 24, 2011 Blogs, Community, Exhibitions, Photography, Specialist projectsAs part of our London Street Photography exhibition opening in February we are working with The Big Issue on a project to capture London streets from a different perspective.
As a magazine and movement that was born and lives on the streets, The Big Issue has a unique take on life in the capital.
With this in mind, a number of vendors around London have volunteered to take pictures over a two week period representing their view of London’s streets according to the ’street photography’ criteria of un-posed, spontaneous moments that can sometimes provide a brief encounter or momentary juxtaposition.
Vendors will also keep a diary of their experiences and we will share both this and their images here and in upcoming editions of The Big Issue before selecting one image to form part of the exhibition.
Our first vendor to participate, Mahesh, would like to dedicate his diary and pictures to “the people of this great city, both past and present, who have in the past and continue to make this city vibrant”.
Mahesh’s images from Kensington High Street show an ever-evolving city by capturing construction works in progress:
“Construction workers busily arranging to off-load huge girders and reinforced steel rods on this busy London street”.
”More material being unloaded. Reminds me of the disciplined Leaf Cutter Ant’s activities. Excellent deployment of resources”.
“Major construction work in the centre of the West End of London so cleanly, clinically undertaken. Impressive. Sad reminder of the apparent lack of reasonable constructive activity in post-earthquake Haiti”.
Mahesh leaves us with this striking picture which he introduces so eloquently…”an elegant senior citizen relaxing with a hurried smoked cigarette. It is cold.
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Date: January 24, 2011 @ 1:39 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Museum of London, glynis powell and Sue Hillman, capturemagazine. capturemagazine said: RT @MuseumofLondon: First blog update from our London Street Photography Big Issue vendors project shared here http://bit.ly/h5QbXd http … [...]
Homer Sykes :
Date: January 24, 2011 @ 11:46 pm
This I am afraid is hardly “street photography”. Its just dull, boring, unthought through snaps of a street by a person with a camera. Educate your vendors, get them to look at, and show them interesting work by “Street Photographers”. I suggest you start with Burk Uzzle, Garry Winogrand, Bruce Davidson, and Lee Friedlander. Then set them loose with a camera.
mahesh :
Date: January 26, 2011 @ 9:04 am
Good morning world!!
Good morning Mr Sykes!
Thank you for your encouraging words. I shall indeed make it a priority to educate myself and follow up on your suggestion.
Do have a lovely year!
Best regards
Michael Young :
Date: February 1, 2011 @ 3:22 pm
It’s a learning world.
Derek Potter :
Date: February 24, 2011 @ 12:04 pm
In the street, with a camera. Course it’s street photography! Simply because it’s not up to your very high standard does not decry from amateurs having a go.