In addition to Ansel Adams’ Yosemite, another photography book I received for Christmas last year was East London Photo Stories: One Neighbourhood, 14 Photographers, published by Hoxton Mini Press. I love this book for several reasons. In contrast to all the heavily processed photos and glitzy photography books out there, this one feels to me to be more of an everyman’s photography book. I hope that comes across as the compliment that it is meant to be.

*I’ve Lived in London for 86 1/2 Years*, Martin Usborne

So, what is this book about? From the Introduction:

This book brings together a selection of pictures from each of the 13 ‘East London Photo Stories’ titles. In doing so it takes us right to the core of what Hoxton Mini Press is all about.

This book is about people. Sometimes the written stories are about the people in the photos, other times the written stories are about the photographers who are telling a story through photos. The book is about a place, and how it changes over time. Losely, it is about photographers and the personal projects they devote themselves to, projects that sometimes span years.

Clocking in at over 300 pages, I found the stories, and the accompanying photos so compelling, I read it from cover to cover.

One great thing about photo books is they give you a glimpse into the lives of others. Another great thing is they can introduce you to new ideas about photography itself. And occasionally, and this may be why I liked this book so much, they can validate your own work and confirm that you don’t have to produce Vogue Magazine-level photos to be proud of your work and exhibit it for others to see.

*East London Swimmers*, Madeleine Waller

To date, this book, more than any other, is what inspired me to create this website, and put my work online in ways not tied to the temporary existence of social media.

This book also encouraged me to create a photo book of candid photos I took during my niece’s wedding reception, and give it to them as a gift, i.e. to get my photos out of my computer where no one can see them, and share them with others, as photos are meant to be. Maybe I’ll share parts of that book online. Maybe I won’t. Some things are personal after all, but it is also the work I am currently most proud of, so we’ll see.

For a review, you could argue that I spent a lot of time writing about my own work, but actually, that is my point. Photo books are meant to inspire, and this book has done just that for me. It inspired me to think about my work differently and take risks that I was not willing to take before. For that, I am very grateful.

East London Photo Stories was not anywhere on my radar. And it certainly was not on my wishlist. Interestingly enough, this book was purchased in Norway, packed in a suitcase, flown across the Atlantic, wrapped, and placed under the Christmas tree. The book’s journey to me does not make the book more valuable than the other gifts I received, but it does add to its and my story. You often never know the impact the things you do, big or small, will have on those you do them for.

* One or more links on this page are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

East London Photo Stories

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