Bearing Witness - Emmanuel Cole

Bearing Witness to the streets of London

Occasionally there's a moment, and only later can you look back and say, yeah. that was it.
The moment Photography came into Emmanuel Coles life was 2010, after a chance encounter on the number N38 bus. As is often the case. It was a simple enough exchange, some guy sat next to Emmanuel. showing him the photos, he'd snapped that day. Emmanuel had never had the opportunity to engage with the visual arts before but he was transfixed.
Having an obsessive nature, Emmanuel soon started teaching himself how to take photographs. reading up and watching videos online. Not long after, he told his uncle he wanted to become a photographer. His uncle didn't hesitate, buying Emmanuel’s first camera, a Canon 1000D.
With a camera in his hand Emmanuel was able to connect with the diverse cast of characters he would encounter on his walks around the London. For Emmanuel that connection with the people you photograph is a unique exchange It's about compassion, trust and respect.
"It is photography that gave me my love for the places and faces of London. It has also given me those moments of connection, street encounters with fellow Londoners. My mission became, sharing those people's stories. In the end, that's what it's all about. The street and its many stories. That's where it is happening, and that's what I'm attentive to. Now I'm looking through a lens. not the window of my mum’s car, but the urge is the same, I want to bear witness.
That means moving through the city with a special form of attention A certain patience. Because, there is always happening, life, and occasionally you're there to see it. Occasionally there's a moment, things slow down. the city arranges itself differently. And I think. snap."

Over 50 photographs of the streets of London (Hackney. Brockley, Farringdon, The Underground, Heathrow, New Cross, Peckham, Seven Sisters, Canning Town and more) between 2014 and 2018 

Height 280mmk, Width 265mm, Hardaback