HACKNEY SUMMER
This gallery showcases my Reportage Documentary Photography archive from Hackney in 2005
This archive features Reportage Documentary Photography from a summer spent in Hackney for the local press. Over the summer of 2005, I worked as a freelance photographer for the Hackney Gazette, a historic local newspaper serving the vibrant East London borough. My primary focus was on capturing the essence of community events and festivals, documenting a lively season of celebration across Hackney.
My assignments were diverse, immersing me in the heart of local life. I covered gatherings such as the Young Socialists' summer fayre at the Round Chapel, the dynamic Well Street Festival, the colorful Shoreditch Parade and Festival of Light, and the traditional summer fete at St John of Hackney church.
In 2005, Hackney was firmly established as a dynamic East London borough with a unique identity shaped by its history and a strong creative heartbeat. The borough had long been a magnet for artists, musicians, and designers, drawn to its industrial spaces and diverse communities.
In 2005, the Hackney Gazette was a weekly local newspaper owned by Archant Ltd. It was the primary source of news for the borough, with a strong focus on community life. The paper's content reflected Hackney's diverse character, covering everything from local politics and housing issues to community events, sports, and human-interest stories. It was a key part of the borough's daily life, documenting both the headlines and the vibrant grassroots culture of the time.
Working as a freelance photographer for the Hackney Gazette provided me with an immediate and direct way to engage with the community after moving from Shepherd's Bush in West London
I worked for the Hackney Gazette as a freelance photographer on weekends. This role was a valuable contrast to my weekday work for The Times, allowing me to stay local and connect with a specific place and its people by documenting local festivals and community life.
My time photographing for the Hackney Gazette was defined by a strong sense of community and a focus on celebration. I documented events where different generations came together, capturing a spirit of unity through food, music, and dance.
I used different photography style; reportage to document events as they unfolded, street photography to capture un-posed, candid moments of life, and street portraiture to create direct, consented portraits of individuals. This blend of techniques allowed me to provide a comprehensive visual record of the borough that summer.
Music, dance, and costume served as important forms of cultural expression that summer. At festivals and events, individuals utilized these mediums to convey their identity, culture, and heritage. The diverse range of music, combined with traditional or creative dress and energetic dance, visually and audibly communicated the distinct backgrounds of the communities present.
