Newspapers
London used to be full of newspaper sellers. They were part of the fabric of every tube station. The woman wearing the glasses is selling copies of the Evening Standard at the entrance of Whitechapel tube station. She has been joined by two other women. They have broken off from their conversation to observe an argument further down Whitechapel Rd. As a boy I had a paper round so I’ve always considered myself to be a distant relative to the hardy newspaper sellers of London!
Its a great shame that the digital revolution has heralded the extinction of newspaper sellers. They added character and colour to the streets. Some sellers even had their own cry advertising the paper. Those who advertised their paper verbally seemed to have a secret language. You would never quite understand what they were saying but you knew they were selling newspapers.
Cash And Carry On The Street
This enterprising man has set up a fly pitch at the junction of Brick Lane and Hanbury Street. The vegetables in the boxes are going cheap and will attract the attention of passers buy. Such behaviour today would risk the wrath of trading standards officers who would be allerted by CCTV.
These pineapple sellers are unlikely to be asked to move on. The street floor is their shop.
An arch of the old Bishopsgate goods yard crowns this man’s suitcase. On offer is a clock, toys, story books and a shiny pair of black shoes.
Expressive Hands
I’ve always felt that hands are an extension of an individuals personality. The urge to photograph them has always been there. Hands are fascinating and like the face bear the marks of time. Here are some hands that have received my attention over the years.
I think these hands betray some anxiety. A few seconds after I took this I photographed this man from the front and his face showed the anxiety already exhibited by the grip of his hands.
These hands are altogether more relaxed but emerge a little uncomfortably from the jacket. The jacket is relatively new and lacks the character of the well worn coat from Petticoat Lane.
The mannequin appears to be in a daze and her hands convey no signals of life. Is she dead or alive?
The unplanned appearance of this hand on Brighton pier changes the composition dramatically. The ornate iron work appears to derive energy from the sudden intrusion and reflect the hands shape.
Marrakech
Whitechapel Station Updated
Whitechapel station is the nearest underground station to my home. Opened in 1876 it is the main gateway to the rest of the world for local residents. The station has not changed that much over the years. The entrance faces the Royal London hospital and Whitechapel market.
Early 1980’s. Who is this man waiting for?
This man was a regular feature on the streets of Whitechapel in the early 1980’s. He had the ability to sleep standing up with the aid of his crutches.
This lady is waiting for her four photos which were developed in four and a half minutes for 60p. This facility was available in the entrance in the 1980’s.
Waiting for a train 2010.



































































