An anchored community in gentrified waters

A photographer's perspective on a changing Deptford

We have talked a lot about gentrification and the redevelopment of London in this newsletter. We’ve talked about it generally, we’ve looked at Brixton specifically (more than once), and Nine Elms of course. We’ve even spoken to a gentrification researcher. But we’ve never really seen gentrification from a personal point of view.

Johnathan Hall is a photographer based in South East London whose work has previously focused on the movement and stillness on London’s streets (with his Still/Moving project) and the juxtaposition of old and new to be found on the banks of the Thames (in his Remnants and Icons series).

His most recent project attempts to capture the ways Deptford’s appearance and character have gradually shifted over the last few years, and how those changes have impacted the local community.

In this issue Johnathan explains why he was drawn to recording the changing face of the area, how he almost missed the shifts that were happening right in front of him and how his work has …