TITLE: Grockles

Grockles. In the seaside towns of England’s south coast, few words define both the social and political reality as the word Grockle. In local parlance it means a tourist, and it is often used as both a joke and a slur. With second homes driving locals away, water shortages, and tourist economies overly reliant on seasonal work, Grockles has come to define a political moment of displacement. Paul Carruthers’ long term street photography project explores tourism from the inside.

AUTHOR: Paul Carruthers (United Kingdom)

Influenced by the remarkable vision and distinct style of Gary Winogrand, my artistic practice seeks to capture the essence of candid moments in the urban landscape. Like Winogrand, I am fascinated by the raw energy and complexity of everyday life, and through my lens, I aim to freeze these fleeting moments in time, revealing the hidden narratives and human connections that often go unnoticed.

With a keen eye for composition and a deep understanding of the power of timing, I immerse myself in the rhythm of the streets, constantly scanning my surroundings for compelling scenes. I embrace the chaos and unpredictability of the urban environment, using it as a backdrop to tell stories and provoke questions about our shared human experience.

I employ a similar visual language to create images that are dynamic, gritty, and evocative. I am drawn to the interplay of light and shadow, the juxtaposition of shapes and lines, and the layers of visual information that weave together to form a compelling narrative. Through careful framing and precise timing, I aim to distill the essence of a scene into a single frame, capturing the essence of a moment that might otherwise be lost to time.

My approach to street photography is one of immersion. I become an observer, watching the crowd while keenly aware of the stories unfolding around me. I seek to capture the candid gestures, fleeting expressions, and decisive moments that reveal the nuances of human interaction and emotion. In doing so, I aim to shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of our urban existence, exposing the beauty and complexity that lies beneath the surface.

That all sounds well and good but all I really do is wander for miles with a camera with the images of Winogrand, Leiter and Eisenstaedt on my shoulder.

My wandering has also managed to win me a few awards.

British Life Photographer Of The Year
Shortlisted The British Photography Awards
International Winner Head On Photo Awards
2nd In The Fine Art Photography Awards
2nd ND Awards
Top 10 street photographers in the world, Rank #1 UK - Oneeyeland