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London People I
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London People I

In the mid 1960s I had an assignment from Holiday Magazine to shoot people of Paris. It worked out fine. I got eight pages, and that was that.

So I got the idea to do it in London. One of the reasons was that I was impressed with the many faces that obviously were not English: Moroccan, Nigerian, Asian, etc. But as I got into the assignment I realized that most of my images were of the English.

To me, they were exotic as anyone else. I find the English wonderfully eccentric, colorful, individualistic, and wholly without subterfuge. They are what they are. They’ve been this way forever and they wouldn’t think of changing. It also helped that I almost speak the language.

Some time ago I tried to classify people’s reaction to being photographed.

For instance, the Italians pose, they are proud, they know they’re beautiful. The Japanese want to take your picture. The Germans want to know if you have permission, etc, etc.

I always thought of the English reaction: they look behind their back to see who you’re really photographing.

They’re not self-conscious nor did they show off, pose, mug for the camera or otherwise dilute what I was trying to do. It was a gas.

Two Men Arguing, London
Two Men Arguing, London
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Three Women with Sunglasses, London
Three Women with Sunglasses, London
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Woman in Bus, London
Woman in Bus, London
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Tour Bus with People, London
Tour Bus with People, London
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Two Women, Four Kids, Baby Carriages, London
Two Women, Four Kids, Baby Carriages, London
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Profile of Young Girl, London
Profile of Young Girl, London
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Two Men, Girl on Beach, London
Two Men, Girl on Beach, London
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Two Men Talking, London
Two Men Talking, London
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Blind Man with Sign, London
Blind Man with Sign, London
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Two Women, Black Child, London
Two Women, Black Child, London
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Man in Lawn Chair, London
Man in Lawn Chair, London
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Two Bobbies with Young Girl, London
Two Bobbies with Young Girl, London
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"Haughty" Lady, London
"Haughty" Lady, London
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Close-up, Wide Open Eyes, Girl's Face, London
Close-up, Wide Open Eyes, Girl's Face, London
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Smiling Woman Looking Down, London
Smiling Woman Looking Down, London
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Blonde Woman with Black Glasses, London
Blonde Woman with Black Glasses, London
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"Conductor" on Bus, London
"Conductor" on Bus, London
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Man with Pursed Lips, Blue Sweater, London
Man with Pursed Lips, Blue Sweater, London
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Head, Man with Scarf and Cap, London
Head, Man with Scarf and Cap, London
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Man with Top Hat, London
Man with Top Hat, London
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Man Against Blue Wall, London
Man Against Blue Wall, London
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Child's Head, London
Child's Head, London
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Smiling Face, Older Lady, London
Smiling Face, Older Lady, London
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Man with Glasses, Big Ears, London
Man with Glasses, Big Ears, London
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Profile of Young Woman, Slight Smile, London
Profile of Young Woman, Slight Smile, London
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Man with Cigarette, Slavic Face, London
Man with Cigarette, Slavic Face, London
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Woman in Bus, Rainy Windows, London
Woman in Bus, Rainy Windows, London
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Man in Pearly Kings Wear, London
Man in Pearly Kings Wear, London
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Close-up Head Profile, London
Close-up Head Profile, London
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Man with Tuba and Reflections, London
Man with Tuba and Reflections, London
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Black Woman, Colorful Headpiece, London
Black Woman, Colorful Headpiece, London
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"Bobbie" Gesturing at Me, London
"Bobbie" Gesturing at Me, London
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Man's Head, Monocle, Cigarette, London
Man's Head, Monocle, Cigarette, London
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Man Carrying Onions on Head, London
Man Carrying Onions on Head, London
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Man with Bird, London
Man with Bird, London
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Man with Blue Cap, Cigarette, London
Man with Blue Cap, Cigarette, London
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Man Lying in Grass, No Shirt, London
Man Lying in Grass, No Shirt, London
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Sad Man Looking at Me, London
Sad Man Looking at Me, London
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Man with Tattoos on Face, London
Man with Tattoos on Face, London
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Girl in Greyish Sweater, Red Cheeks, London
Girl in Greyish Sweater, Red Cheeks, London
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Woman in Bar with Pearls and Glasses, London
Woman in Bar with Pearls and Glasses, London
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Exotic Man with Jewish Star, London
Exotic Man with Jewish Star, London
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Close-up Head, Black Man, London
Close-up Head, Black Man, London
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Man with Hands Clasped, London
Man with Hands Clasped, London
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Shadow of Woman on Green Chair, London
Shadow of Woman on Green Chair, London
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Woman with Red Umbrella, London
Woman with Red Umbrella, London
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Woman in Green Coat, Pinkish Scarf, London
Woman in Green Coat, Pinkish Scarf, London
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Man, Hand to Chin, London
Man, Hand to Chin, London
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Two Women, One with Kerchief, London
Two Women, One with Kerchief, London
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End of London People I_london-people-27Man8Kissing8Woman8Motorcycle8London
End of London People I_london-people-27Man8Kissing8Woman8Motorcycle8London
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