Capturing Street Life in London: A Photo Essay
Although I’ve been photographing Brick Lane for decades, I now feel slightly detached from it — partly because I no longer live in London, but also because the area itself has changed so radically over the years. These days it is more often filled with tourists than with the communities and street life I once knew.
Because the subjects are looking away from the camera, the viewer becomes an observer of observers. The image feels cinematic, almost like a still from a street film, where something beyond the frame seems to matter as much as what is visible within it.
The white trainers and lighter clothing become visual focal points, standing out sharply against the darker surroundings. This subtly links the two figures while also separating them from the chaotic environment, one they appear, perhaps, slightly unfamiliar with.
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Timeless Photography of East London
Although this photograph was taken in 2024 it has a timeless feel. The rough brick wall, layered graffiti, and the pavement are common features of a place I’ve been photographing for over 40 years.
The wall dominates the right side, acting almost like a narrative surface. The painted cartoon figure is the key visual counterpoint. It introduces a playful, almost innocent element that contrasts with the more serious, introspective demeanor of the passerby.
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Bomber Starmer
Starmer’s Labour government stands accused of complicity in Israel’s ongoing assault on Palestinians, with critics pointing to its refusal to meaningfully challenge occupation, apartheid, genocide and mass civilian suffering. Meanwhile, U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers operating out of RAF Fairford underline the UK’s deep entanglement in U.S.-led military power and imperialism in the Middle East.
Keir Starmer has backed this alignment, echoing Washington’s framing of military action as “defensive,” even as critics argue it fuels escalation, including in relation to Iran. At home, his response to dissent raises further alarm: following a recent tragedy, Starmer floated the idea of restricting protests, amid pressure to curb pro-Palestinian demonstrations against genocide. This signals a willingness to trade away civil liberties to silence opposition.
By fusing Starmer’s image with the looming presence of a strategic bomber, this photomontage delivers a stark piece of visual satire. I hope it’s one that challenges viewers to confront the links between political leadership, militarism, and the growing suppression of protest in the UK.
The Impact of Smartphones on Human Behaviour
This photomontage is a comment on modern phone use—especially how it absorbs attention and reshapes behaviour.
The two young men standing upright are both completely focused on their smartphones. They’re isolated against a dark, almost empty background, which strips away context and makes their posture and gaze the main focus. Neither is engaging with the other or their surroundings; their attention is entirely captured by their screens.
In contrast, the foreground shows a much larger, close-up pair of hands gripping a phone horizontally (thanks to Hazuan Hashim). I wanted the hands to dominate the frame, almost like they represent a more powerful force. It feels less like a person holding a device and more like the device controlling the person. The large hands imply that users are being “handled” or controlled by their devices or by the digital environments inside them.
The figures are physically present but mentally elsewhere. There’s no interaction between them, hinting at social isolation despite proximity.
Perhaps smartphones aren’t just tools we use—they can dominate our attention, isolate us from others, and subtly control how we behave. I wanted the muted tones and dark background to create an ominous mood, reinforcing the idea that this isn’t just neutral technology use but something potentially all consuming and problematic.
Perhaps smartphones aren’t just tools we use—they can dominate our attention, isolate us from others, and subtly control how we behave.
You can buy a signed copy of my latest photo book here
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Exploring Global Markets: A Street Photography Journey
Today, I’m taking you on a journey through shops and markets from around the world. We begin in 2017 with a shopkeeper standing outside his store in Melaka, Malaysia—a UNESCO World Heritage city I’ve returned to photograph many times.
From there, we head to London Road in Liverpool, a fantastic spot for street photography, full of character and fascinating people.
Next, we dive into the energy of a lively night market in Melaka from 2018, followed by a glimpse of a stallholder in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019. We then step back in time to 2004, exploring market stalls in Paris and an old shop in Marrakech.
Finally, we wrap up in 2019 with the vibrant shopping scene on Roman Road in East London—another of my favourite street photography haunts.
It’s all about capturing those rich cultural moments and the spirit of everyday commerce at street level.
You can buy a signed copy of my latest photo book here
Watch The Photographer – a short film about the photography of Phil Maxwell:
