From 1979-1982 I spent my weekends documenting the depressed areas of the east end of London and Stoke-on-Trent – “urban photography”. My style was strongly influenced by the work of photographers like Henri Cartier Bresson (https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/).
Stoke on Trent and Tunstall
The pictures did not come from the happy chance snap of a casual photographer. I spent my weekends walking the streets looking for the most photogenic places, and the right angle. But I didn’t want pictures of empty streets, cars passing, people walking, or people who were out of place. So I had to return to the same places dozens of times, searching for the perfect moment.
See more from the industrial canals of Stoke-on-Trent, 1980-1982.
Hanley and Tunstall
See more from Hanley and Tunstall 1980-1982
Hanley Indoor Market
See more from Hanley Indoor Market
Mile End Road, London 1979
See more from Mile End Road, 1979
The era of urban photography finished when I moved to Reading. That marked the move into landscape photography.
Urban photography – the equipment
I used two Canon AE-1 cameras with 35mm, 50mm and 100mm lenses. I did the developing and printing myself.