Exploring East London’s Street Life in the 1980s
In 1985, Bethnal Green Road was lined with independent shops, and Saturdays in particular were always busy. There was a constant flow of people and plenty of opportunities for street photography.
In this photograph, the elderly man dominates the right foreground. His face is sharp and expressive, yet he is not obviously connected to the children. Behind him, an adult and two children create a quieter, more intimate scene. The eye moves naturally back and forth between these groups. What appeals to me is the way different generations coexist within a few feet of one another. The children are free to occupy the edge of the pavement, while adults and children share the public space in an easy, unselfconscious way.
The image captures a form of street life that has become less common as traffic, redevelopment and changing social habits have altered Bethnal Green Road quite dramatically over the years. I doubt whether toffee apples can still be bought there today.
The older man in the foreground is a crucial part of the composition. His animated expression brings humour and unpredictability to the photograph, injecting life into an otherwise quiet scene. Had he passed by a second earlier or later, the image would have felt very different.
The following day I was probably wandering around the Brick Lane Sunday market, looking for the next picture.
