Neil Thomas Douglas / A Stranger View

The project came to me after reading Martin Parr’s book, ‘The Last Resort’.  I love his quirky and colourful outlook on the great British public and thought it would be fun to put the camera in the hands of the public and get their visual opinion on their surroundings.  

The project also came from my appreciation of street photography.  I have always enjoyed the way street photography heightens my awareness of my surroundings.  It makes me look up when I would not normally do so, it makes me react to sounds I would not normally pay attention to and it makes me see stuff that others without a camera round their neck may miss.  A Stranger View asks people to stop, look, think and shoot.  I like that you get so many different perspectives on the same space, on the same day.  

For me the best part of the project so far would have to be the people triangle that assembled outside Nice N’ Sleazes or when I done the notepad version and someone left, “Just sat for a minute to people watch and realised how wonderful life can be.  I am perfectly happy and your book gave me a chance to share that with a stranger.  I hope life brings you that happiness it has brought me xx”.  And of course being exhibited on We Sink Ships! 

The worst part of the project would be getting the cameras stolen in both Edinburgh and London and also when someone left me a picture their hairy bum. 

 You can view ‘A Stranger View’ photo exhibition on We Sink Ships website.