One of the 10 Commandments happens to be "Love thy neighbor," and that doesn't just refer to your actual neighbor, but also to the people who surround you on a daily basis; take the Up My Street photo spread as an example. It is a portrait series of shopkeepers who work in the photographer's home area. Having passed them every evening for six years, he decided to capture them amid their livelihood.
Shot by London-based photographer Dylan Collard, the Up My Street photo series is simple yet poignant. Collard has managed to keep a dramatically dark set for each image taken thus far in the ongoing project. I even like that he has consistently used a red light accent that gently caresses the scene as well as the subject.
Shopkeeper Portraits
Dylan Collard Captures His Neighbors in the 'Up My Street' Series
Trend Themes
1. Neighborhood Portraits - There's a trend of capturing everyday people in their work environment, offering a more intimate look into the community.
2. Dark and Dramatic Photography - Photographers are experimenting with lighting and tone to create striking portraits that evoke emotion and mood.
3. Ongoing Photo Series - Photographers are pushing boundaries by turning their projects into long-term, evolving series that capture the evolution of people and places over time.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Innovation opportunities include experimenting with lighting, angles, and subjects to tell unique stories and authentically capture communities.
2. Small Business - Shopkeeper portraits can help small businesses build brand awareness and foster community connections through authentic storytelling.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Companies looking to appeal to local audiences can use shopkeeper portraits to create relatable and emotional advertising campaigns.