As someone who spent the first 23 years of her life in a small suburb upstate New York where people make small talk with strangers, chat with their neighbours and smile at everyone in the streets (and possibly utter a “good morning” in passing), one of the biggest challenges I had when I moved to London back in 2007 was adapting to the people.
They’re really a warm bunch when you get to know them, but being a big city of some 8 million faces from hundreds of countries, the need to carve out a personal bubble is understandable. You get used to it after a while, though, this lack of eye contact, the awkward closeness on the tube, the reluctance to speak to strangers.
Despite this, for me, the people are the greatest part of London – the languages and accents, the diversity in every sense of the word, the fashion, the expressions of creativity, etc. When someone lets you into their bubble, as people do when I interview them for LLO, you get a real sense of what this city is made of and what you find is something truly inspiring.
Other times, it’s fun to sit back and observe life in action. It’s been a while since I’ve posted a series images of Londoners from the Flickr pool. I’ve missed picking out my favourite shots as well as sharing the talent of London’s fabulous street photographers. So that’s what I’m going to do now:
Photo: Matching nicely by John Kortland
Photo: Rows and rows by John Kortland
Photo: Sensible shoes by John Kortland
Photo: Black and white in colour by John Kortland
Photo: Yami Gautam, Bollywood Actress by John Kortland
Photo: For richer, for poorer by John Kortland
Photo: Happy face by John Kortland
Photo: People of Soho: The fashion retailer, Lorna, in Bridle Lane by Pete Zelewski
Photo: Exhaust fumes by John Kortland
Photo: Tahnee-Barbican by Becky Frances
Photo: People of Soho, the celebrity hairdresser – with a client list that includes Sienna Miller, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kiera Knightley and Johnny Depp it’s hairdresser Johnnie Sapong in Marylebone Passage by Pete Zelewski
Photo: Don’t Try It At Home, George by John Kortland
Photo: People of Soho: The creative artist, Spanish Graphic Designer and Illustrator Adriana in Nottingham Court, Covent Garden by Pete Zelewski
Photo: Up against it by John Kortland
Photo: Having a nibble by John Kortland
Photo: Senior rasta by John Kortland
Photo: 3D View by John Kortland
Photo: Diane Abbott MP by John Kortland
Photo: Face in the crowd by John Kortland
Photo: Victoria Park Portrait by Becky Frances
Photo: Father and Son by Darren Johnson
Photo: Taking a Break by Graham F Kerr
Photo: People of Soho: Makeup artist Rose from cult British beauty brand Illamasqua in Bridle Lane by Pete Zelewski
Photo: Figurehead by John Kortland
Photo: Glamorous by Steve Reed
Photo: Wrapped up against the cold by John Kortland
Photo: Pink and plugged in by by John Kortland
Photo: Blue mood by John Kortland
Photo: Well studded by John Kortland
Photo: London underground by Jiro
Photo: Curls by John Kortland
Photo: Ring tones by John Kortland
Photo: Aya by H Matthew Howarth
The people shots are good! But Londoners are the most pig ignorant folk on earth! Try a a few days in Edinburgh, or indeed anywhere north of Watford!
Good morning,the 23 pictures of thous incredible people,Each one is telling you some thing through his /her eyes.(life in pictures)excellent.jalal
Great post – showing the diversity of Londoners
Just to let you know, I’ve nominated you for an inspirational blog award, you can read my nomination post here: http://howtocrossanocean.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/day-70-get-nominated-for-an-inspirational-blog-award/
Reblogged this on How to Cross an Ocean and commented:
One of my favourite bloggers.