Producing a series of shots of an independent shop and a connected worker in Brighton was an interesting task to do in Brighton as there are so many independent shops each filling a very specific niche. Many shops have very tribal, community and carnival themed shops. The first three photographs in the above slideshow demonstrate the process of walking through the lanes trying to find an appropriate shop to take pictures of. They were all really very interesting and vibrant shops, however I felt that I wanted to slightly challenge what the definition of a shop could be and portray something else.
The first image (Tribalik) portrays the very tribal and carnival theme of specialty shops in the Brightonian lanes, as well as demonstrating how the workers in these shops often embody the merchandise in not only their appearance - clothing, hair, accessories etc. - but also their personality. It was really fun talking to the shop workers as they continued their everyday work activities.
The second image (Two Feathers) portrays the native american shop in Brighton's lanes. This image is similar to the first in that the worker is carrying on every day work activities as he is being photographed, however it is less apparent of how this worker embodies the merchandise in the store in his appearance and personality. This worker was busy with a customer so I didn't disturb him except for asking permission to take his photograph.
The third image (oddballs) was shot from the outside of the shop through the window. I found the colourfulness of the shop and how little bits of chaos were arranged into a slight structure - in baskets and shelves. However the overall appearance of the picture is a rather busy one - which I felt could reflect the state of mind of the subject, who appears to be wholly engrossed by whatever is on his mobile phone. As we did not go inside this shop, it may be that this is not in fact a worker of oddballs, however I found the result photograph aesthetically pleasing and therefore included it.
The following 7 photographs are of a crochet and knitwear stall on the beach (www.i-foundyou.com). I felt that this was exactly the "Independent Shop and a Connected Worker" I had been looking for. The merchandise was not in a glass windowed building - challenging the conventionality and the definition of a store, it was being made by the worker as they were "shopkeeping" and being put directly out into the display case. People and dogs were walking by, and the shopkeepers little dog would be jumping about and barking while she worked and schools of seagulls floated overhead, with the old Brighton pier in the background. It was a wonderfully scenic moment and the shopkeeper was a wonderful, interesting lady with whom we engaged in conversation for a longer while.
The second image (Two Feathers) portrays the native american shop in Brighton's lanes. This image is similar to the first in that the worker is carrying on every day work activities as he is being photographed, however it is less apparent of how this worker embodies the merchandise in the store in his appearance and personality. This worker was busy with a customer so I didn't disturb him except for asking permission to take his photograph.
The third image (oddballs) was shot from the outside of the shop through the window. I found the colourfulness of the shop and how little bits of chaos were arranged into a slight structure - in baskets and shelves. However the overall appearance of the picture is a rather busy one - which I felt could reflect the state of mind of the subject, who appears to be wholly engrossed by whatever is on his mobile phone. As we did not go inside this shop, it may be that this is not in fact a worker of oddballs, however I found the result photograph aesthetically pleasing and therefore included it.
The following 7 photographs are of a crochet and knitwear stall on the beach (www.i-foundyou.com). I felt that this was exactly the "Independent Shop and a Connected Worker" I had been looking for. The merchandise was not in a glass windowed building - challenging the conventionality and the definition of a store, it was being made by the worker as they were "shopkeeping" and being put directly out into the display case. People and dogs were walking by, and the shopkeepers little dog would be jumping about and barking while she worked and schools of seagulls floated overhead, with the old Brighton pier in the background. It was a wonderfully scenic moment and the shopkeeper was a wonderful, interesting lady with whom we engaged in conversation for a longer while.