I was reminded this week of how important newspapers are as cultural & political reflections of our lives , the reading of a daily newspaper has almost vanished from our everyday routines and it is not making Street Photography with a historical or socially aware agenda any easier !

The mobile phone may have many advantages but as a photographer on the streets I miss the visual impact of newspaper sellers and readers in public places , someone using their phone to keep up to date with local news and world events does not have the same visual appeal or informative photographic effect as a newspaper headline. The classic news paper seller, delivery boy or reader is becoming harder to find in today’s digital world , you can imagine my delight when I came across this lady, not only was she reading a newspaper in a well lit public place, but she was reading a newspaper with a Brexit headline !

It may not seem like a big deal to you but the symbolism of a relevant headline ( Brexit Heroes To Be Made Lords ) in one of my captures not only supports the narrative of this series but it also offers a authentic time and place element to the picture , the view below could only be from the UK during the Brexit era !

I would urge readers to make captures that feature people selling or reading newspapers on the streets whenever they can, especially if the front page is historic, this form of news consumption is sadly becoming extinct , I also wonder about the future of plastic carrier bags with advertising as everyday items, the clock is ticking ?

Its interesting how time marches on and things change , the new bus station that features in the picture above also features in another of my early “State Of Britain” captures, in my other picture this bus station is under construction and is featured as a large architects visual in the background !

Until next time, keep it real …

PS: Notice how no-one seems to smile anymore !