All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer
Between 2007 and early 2009 I spent nearly 18 months walking the back streets of London’s famous (and infamous) Whitechapel area in the early morning in order to complete a project called “Walk to Work” which I published as a book.
This photograph was taken just before dawn in December 2008 on the M8 using my Wide Angle Tri-Elmar, ISO640, zone focused at f/5.6. Fulbourne Street is famous because in 1907 popular history has it that Lenin and Trotsky, while visiting London, addressed their revolutionary brothers in the building at the end of the street. In the foreground you can see a parish boundary bollard dated 1818. Whitechapel is full or small pockets of history like this, which makes it a fascinating photographic project.
Why I use a Leica:
All photographs (bar one taken with a DLUX2) published in my book were taken with a Leica M8 and various Leica lenses. Apart from being a Leica shooter the main benefit of using a Leica digital rangefinder is that it is a very discrete camera. I was able to shoot pretty freely with only one instance of being hassled because of the low profile of the camera. Another important feature of Leica equipment is the superb optical performance which was great benefit shooting ‘wide-open’ in the dawn light, especially during dark winter mornings. The M8 was a constant companion with me and never faltered during the project, it was 100% reliable.
Louis Berk is an educator and documentary photographer. Please visit his website louisberk.com to find out more about his book «Walk to Work», or you can visit his personal blog for even more Leica shots.
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Walk to Work has pride of place in our living room. Brilliant photos, excellent social history, an essential work for anyone interested in this amazing area and its many stories.