PATTERNS AND TONES

"Norwich Market Portraits No. 1" 2017 It's the third year in a row I've documented merchants in Norwich Market . Th ere is an undeniable feeling of joy that washes over me when I'm shooting these portraits. It becomes almost overwhelming, a knowing that draws me to these people and their market stalls. It could be that the images to me are timeless. When an image is timeless, I know I've got the shot. This year, I was happy to see so many smiles across so many faces. It could be that we arrived at the beginning of August and summer was having a positive effect on my subjects. The first set I shot back in 2015 was in the month of April when it's still quite cold and damp in Norwich. Hot tea and warm coats were prevalent, as well as a less jovial countanance. The second set  I photographed back in 2016 was taken in September under white puffy clouds which quickly floated by above us. The harsh weather was yet to decend upon the market stalls and a...

"Graham Street Portraits No. 2" 2016 Graham Street Market is the longest running sidewalk market  in central Hong Kong. It  is filled with vendors hawking everything from vegetables, meat and seafood to cleaning products, dishes and trinkets. Last week I walked around the market stalls and produced a set of portraits I present to you here. They differ from my Norwich Market Portraits for I was taking these pictures unbeknownst to the subjects. I did not interact with them and they did not see me, although a few caught on to me as I walked by. Growing up in San Francisco, I always had a reverence and fascination with the stores in Chinatown. Culturally different and a bit mysterious, this feeling of awe and curiosity still filled me as I wandered up and down the hilly streets peering into a world that contained unfamiliar products and smells. Although these portraits were taken on the sly, they still capture the hard working ethic whic...

"Norwich Market Portrait No. 5" 2016 My yearly visit to Norwich, England now includes an annual pilgrimage to the cities' medieval market stalls to photograph the hawkers and their wares. It is always a delight to stroll down the narrow lanes and peek into each stall to see what each one has to offer and to ponder their selection of items to sell. Those who grant me permission to capture their portrait are genial and open folk that take pride in what they do. It's not a glamorous environment but it is filled with camaraderie and a community of sellers who have a make a living out of turning a dime into a dollar. I look forward to continuing this series every time I visit this fair city and hope one day to exhibit them in one of their local galleries. My wish is to give back to Norwich images which will provide the locals a mirror to admire and ponder their jovial and hard working hawkers. Julie Green Septem...