Book review on "London at home" by Magda Segal and Alan Bennet

'London at home' is a collection of photographs showing different people in their homes from all over London. I found these photographs extremely interesting as they show people from all different backgrounds, not necessarily posing professionally, but in a natural state that reflects their own live's. For example we have the contrast of a wealthy retired couple living in Hampstead, and a french polisher and son living in Kentish town. i also like the fact that the photographer noted their occupations as well. The rooms that the sitters are photographed in reflect their occupations and lifestyles, for example the 'Rock'n'Rollers' that are photographed around a jukebox. Another aspect of the book i liked was that at the back, the author has included pictures of the outside of the buildings where each resident lives. This gives a very interesting perspective of the lives of each resident, ad shows the reader how much a home can be a reflection of someones personality and occupation.

The book could inspire portrait photographers to take a different approach to their subjects. sometimes it makes a more effective photograph if it is taken in more informal surroundings in order to convey the subjects personality so that the photograph looks less 'staged'.

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