On March 31st, a group of enthusiastic photographers gathered in Nottingham for a day of street photography in the city centre, despite the rainy weather. The result of their creative endeavours is a photobook that captures the essence of the urban landscape and the spirit of the day. The image above is the design for the cover of the photobook, featuring two powerful images that for me evoke the concept of surveillance and the presence of an unseen “big brother” in today’s world. The cover design showcases the front and back covers, which were contributed by Graeme Reynolds and Tony Fisher, respectively.
The cover of the photobook features two captivating images that serve as the front and back covers. The front cover (on the right in the design), was created by Graeme Reynolds, and is a striking photograph that immediately grabs the viewer’s attention. The image depicts a lone figure walking down a rainy street in a hooded coat with the person wearing a mask, as we all wore when in public not long ago due to the Covid Pandemic. In the background we can see elements of a clothes shop, but what this image is all about for me is the one-eyed stare. Graeme’s use of contrast and perspective in this image adds to the sense of drama and mystery of the lone eye, drawing the viewer in even more.
Tony Fisher’s photograph complements the front cover image with equal impact. The image is of posters but with a similar sense of being observed as Graeme’s image, although in Tony’s case it is the sense of being watched by an unseen presence. The use of black and white photography in both images adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the images.
I was immediately struck by the way these two images symbolise the concept of surveillance and the idea of an omnipresent “big brother” in today’s world. They capture the feeling of being constantly monitored and observed, whether it be by surveillance cameras, social media, or other forms of technological surveillance. The photographs prompt viewers to reflect on the pervasiveness of surveillance in our daily lives and raise questions about privacy, autonomy, and the impact of surveillance on society.
Published by FutureHeritage, and featuring the work of photographers from the Royal Photographic Society I am excited by this photobook. I am planning for copies to be with the photographers this weekend, just two weeks after our day in Nottingham. The book as a whole is a testament to the creativity and skill of the photographers who braved the rainy weather to capture the essence of Nottingham’s city centre through street photography. The photographs are a visual narrative that prompts viewers to reflect on what a high street is in 2023, and for us, I hope will be a cherished memento of a memorable day of street photography in Nottingham. In the rain.
I am planning more events like March 31st, so please let me know if you would like to be notified of the date by email to stewartwall01@gmail.com, or by following our eventbrite page by clicking here (which will open in a new tab on your computer when you click).
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