The life in Peterborough

November 28, 2016 8:11 PM

Amateur street photographer Chris Porsz wandered the streets of his native Peterborough for hours in the 70s and 80s, capturing brief portraits. After rediscovering his trove of photos, he was inspired to recreate some of the shots for his second book, Reunions (SLBuzzfeed).
posted by Diablevert (11 comments total)

The little girl in the pink hat walking with her family in the snow has the runway strut down pat at what, like, 4?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:19 PM on November 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

Beautifully done - thank you!
posted by speug at 9:21 PM on November 28, 2016

This is great, thanks!
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:30 PM on November 28, 2016

Brilliant! It's amazing how much everyone has aged. The after effects of growing up in Thatcher's Britain, no doubt.
posted by monotreme at 10:52 PM on November 28, 2016

Obligatory soundtrack
posted by D.C. at 11:35 PM on November 28, 2016

Yes, I lived in Thatcher's Britain and I've aged, too.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:43 PM on November 28, 2016 [7 favorites]

That was great, thanks.
posted by milkwood at 11:56 PM on November 28, 2016

Clearly when the socialist revolution comes we will all cease to age as perfection sweeps over us like the dawn light rising.
posted by pharm at 1:15 AM on November 29, 2016 [6 favorites]

I think it's more to do with Peterborough. I was born there and all my relatives appear to have aged quite a bit.

Not that Thatcher being an avatar of Kronos wouldn't explain a few things.
posted by Segundus at 2:04 AM on November 29, 2016 [5 favorites]

Really great work. There is a clear difference in the poses, though. The 80s pics show a variety of feelings - some brash, some shy, some angry. The last set all exude the same feeling - "happy to have survived". Has the photographer changed his style, or is life just like that?

I noticed this because I just saw a great show of Diane Arbus' work at the old Whitney in NYC. Her portraits are great because she spent a lot time with her subjects, and encouraged them to show the camera their best side. Sometimes it's hopeless bluster, but what struck me was the dignity that she could elicit. The 80s photos in this set are a lot like Arbus'.
posted by Steakfrites at 1:00 PM on November 29, 2016

John and Ade get around, they're both in the 2nd and 14th pictures.
posted by unliteral at 6:35 PM on November 29, 2016