Free Photographic Omnibus

Just in case you need some proof that “street studios” have been around for a long, long time, then take a few minutes to watch this video. (sorry, can’t embed it)

If you don’t feel like watching the video, then at least glance at these images:

A photographer named Daniel Meadows spent a lot of time criss-crossing Britain in his “omnibus”, stopping whenever he felt inclined and setting up a portrait station.  He would make prints overnight and then his subjects could come back and pick up their print.  For free.  I stumbled upon his work about a year ago and I must say, this project has been a big inspiration for me in terms of my own street portrait endeavors.  He, in recent years, has even begun the process of tracking down some of his subjects from the 70’s and re-photographing them some 30 years later.  Quite interesting.

You know, I must admit, I don’t really get intimidated by the whole “it’s all been done” debate/realization that can surface among artists.  Instead, I find it to be inspiring because rather than needing to be the “first” or “only” one with an idea, I choose to believe that somehow, I get to, on the smallest of levels, be a part of this particular tradition of street portraits.  I am proud of the legacy that Daniel and others have laid down before us and am honored to bring my own sensibilities to this genre of street photography.  Simple enough.