Deptford High Street
This little book is the outcome of a 18-month project (2009-2011), which aimed at utilising photographic research to meet local people, gain local knowledge and create my sense of belonging to the area I had just moved to. I photographed and spoke to shopkeepers, customers and residents on the High Street, asking them to share their experiences of this street and Deptford in general. Lived experience is deeply embedded in history; even if interpretations are subjective, as psychological truths these accounts are just as important as factually reliable accounts. Story-telling reduces the gulf between the researcher and participants, which is necessary in building relationships with the people whose history is being talked about. In the pursuit of more uninhibited responses, participants were assured that comments would remain anonymous and that images would not correspond to the comments. Through these stories of lived experiences I gained a better understanding of the social and political history of Deptford and how different people perceive the changes taking place in the area. This project formed the basis of lasting friendships and relationships and led to other projects in the local area which can be viewed on my website (anitastrasser.com). The project was also a precursor to Deptford is Changing: a creative exploration of the impact of gentrification, a book I published in 2020. The book is available for reading in Deptford Lounge, West Greenwich Library, Goldsmiths Library and Special Collections.
This little book is the outcome of a 18-month project (2009-2011), which aimed at utilising photographic research to meet local people, gain local knowledge and create my sense of belonging to the area I had just moved to. I photographed and spoke to shopkeepers, customers and residents on the High Street, asking them to share their experiences of this street and Deptford in general. Lived experience is deeply embedded in history; even if interpretations are subjective, as psychological truths these accounts are just as important as factually reliable accounts. Story-telling reduces the gulf between the researcher and participants, which is necessary in building relationships with the people whose history is being talked about. In the pursuit of more uninhibited responses, participants were assured that comments would remain anonymous and that images would not correspond to the comments. Through these stories of lived experiences I gained a better understanding of the social and political history of Deptford and how different people perceive the changes taking place in the area. This project formed the basis of lasting friendships and relationships and led to other projects in the local area which can be viewed on my website (anitastrasser.com). The project was also a precursor to Deptford is Changing: a creative exploration of the impact of gentrification, a book I published in 2020. The book is available for reading in Deptford Lounge, West Greenwich Library, Goldsmiths Library and Special Collections.
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I've been to other High Streets in different areas, but as soon as I came here I
noticed that it was different - I had the feeling of stepping back in time. People
stand on street corners engaging with each other, they all know one another.
Deptford is different from most areas where the normal juxtaposition is a nice road
with houses and a council estate at the end of it. Here almost everyone lives in a
flat or a council estate, and this puts things into perspective as all people are on
the same level. I was brought up on a nice road in a nice house in North
London (and proud of it), but now I love living in a flat in Deptford.
Deptford High Street is heaven, there is something for everybody. I like to spread
myself around to see what places have got. They only thing I don't like are the
beggars, simply because the same people keep coming up to me asking for money.
It gets annoying after a while.
I don't like cities, they have no feeling, so what I like about here is that I don't feel
I'm living in London. Everything is on my doorstep and I can choose to access it or
ignore it. It might be the same in other areas, but I came here and feel it here.
The best thing about Deptford is the rapport and personal relationships I have
built up with customers and families over the years.
What I like is that I know people around here. I live on the High Street, and I
know my neighbours, people in the shops, and I find the nice collection of
shouting on the street calming. I actually find it difficult to leave, it's got everything
I need.
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