Some Unexpected Journalism

I went to Guildford to capture some street photography, my bread and butter, on the 3rd of may. (Before I started this blog)

I love guildford for its wide, car-free high streets and narrow alleyways. Many indoor shopping micro-malls with glass roofs which let light through and creates many interesting shadows.

I set off from my hometown of Reigate and got the train down in less than 40 minutes! Super!

Older folk waiting for a bus.

I got off at Guildford station and instantly started taking photos of the surrounding buildings.

First building I spotted leaving the station.

Inside the main shopping centre, there were beautiful shadows cast from the midday sun. many shoppers in white clothing too – I could feel a Trent Parke moment coming.

I’m pretty happy with the look of these, specially the middle photo. Something simple , yet very cliché, can still look great.

As I walked outside the shopping centre onto the main high street, I heard loud, microphone amped shouting. I scurried towards it quickly.

I found myself in amongst the trans lives rally taking place. I had no idea this was even happening today.

I was in my element! Taking photos right up close of everything that was happening, and since there was a big rally here, I felt as if I didn’t need to explain myself to anyone. I guessed that photographers would be here taking their own photos and everyone would be fine with that. From what I saw I was the only one!

Now I felt as if I had a purpose, like someone from a local paper or someone part of documenting the event for the Trans Community, so all my “street photography nerves” vanished.

Street performers ignoring the Palestine rally.

Down the street was also a smaller rally for Palestine, so much going on! I chose a great day to venture here 😂

View from the bottom of the hill. Palestine rally.

I must have spent at least 2 hours talking to folk involved and asking them for portraits. Both at the Trans rally and the smaller Free Palestine rally.

The divide between older and younger generations was super obvious, many locals were not able to pass through to the shops past the trans rally due to the sheer amount of people taking up the whole high street, and also due to the person with 2 placards obstructing passers by.