Found Photography
Found photography, often synonymous with found photos, refers to photographs that were not originally created with the intention of being considered art. These are usually anonymous photographs that have been given a new aesthetic value or interpretive angle by an artist.
For me this image perfectly embodies the essence of found photography. It's a candid snapshot capturing a moment in everyday life, and its subjects are unaware they are being photographed. We see two police officers in uniform, a classic London black cab, and a double-decker bus with an advertisement declaring "I LOVE LONDON", all hallmarks of the city's vibrant street scene. I traced the scene to the corner of Parliament Square and the A302 by Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.
The vehicles' body styles and the iconic Routemaster bus in the background suggest a time period from the 1970s to the 1980s. The people's clothing and uniforms also reflect this era.
This photograph likely wasn't intended as an artistic statement when it was taken; it was probably just a person documenting their surroundings or a moment during their day. Yet now, when you've found and scanned it, the image takes on a new meaning. It becomes a window into the past, reflecting the urban life of London during that time. The composition, with the contrasting directions of the gaze of the two officers, adds a dynamic element to the scene, and the range of vehicles provides a sense of the era's transportation.
Other London images from the past
When re-contextualized, such images can be appreciated for their aesthetic qualities, the story they might suggest, and their historical value. In the realm of found photography, they become artefacts of another time, cherished for the unintentional narratives they create and the emotions or memories they may evoke.