As part of my research into early documentary photography, I found a photographer named John Thomson (1837-1921) who published a book titled ‘Street Life in London’ (1877).

It contains documentary photos of destitute people in London. Among the full collection of his photos are: street sweepers, newspaper sellers and labourers. He took photos of them in their usual working environment but from a disengaged point of view.

His work wasn’t well received as people thought he was misusing the art of photography by taking photos of these people from an undignified point of view.

I like that the photo isn’t busy and distracting. I think Thomson could have taken a few photos of the boy on his own with tools in both hands?

There is a disconnection here between the photographer and the subject. It’s a shame the man isn’t looking at the camera here as it would have made a strong photo. Perhaps this is because the man didn’t want to be photographed?

I like that this photo shows the relationship between two women and the small child. It’s a shame the boy’s head is blurred – he must have turned his head to look at the camera and it obviously caught the movement.

This is more of a candid shot. I think Thomson could have taken a photo showing both men looking directly at the camera, and also a few individual ones of them up-close like the chimney sweep.

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Thomson’s photos remind me of Lee Friedlander’s At Work since both photos explore the same subject matter. The only difference is Friedlander’s photos are modern. Also his photos were taken closer to the subject.

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References:

Encyclopedia of Photographic Art (2019) Documentary Photography. Available at: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/photography/documentary.htm (Accessed: 02.06.19)

The Gentle Author (2011) Spitalfields Life. Available at: http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/03/28/john-thomsons-street-life-in-london/ (Accessed: 02.06.19)

Friedlander, L (1986) At Work. Available at: https://fraenkelgallery.com/portfolios/at-work (Accessed: 14.07.19)