At 72 years old, former paramedic Chris Porsz from Peterborough couldn't resist the call of the camera lens. Armed with his Canon DSLR, he embarked on an ambitious 80-day journey across the entire span of Britain to create his latest photography book. His new collection, titled "Click! Land's End to John O'Groats," documents the photographer's 874-mile trek capturing the unique and quirky aspects of British street life in towns and cities, including his hometown of Peterborough.
The book features a diverse mix of captivating images that showcase both the humorous and poignant sides of British life. Among the lighthearted shots are pensioners peering curiously into a sex shop window and a seagull brazenly stealing chips from a girl on Brighton Pier. However, Porsz also included more serious photographs that honor national tragedies and significant moments in British history. His collection features powerful images related to Grenfell Tower, VE Day, and the July 7th London bombings, alongside a thought-provoking photograph of the 500-meter-long National Covid Memorial Wall, which displays approximately 200,000 hand-painted hearts representing each person who died from the virus.
"What I love about my street photography is those chance encounters and resulting conversations with complete strangers," Porsz explains. "After producing ten photography books I vowed no more – but I couldn't resist, so here it is. I much prefer the visual experience and feel of a physical book as opposed to flicking images on a screen. Time to look for the hidden depths which I hope you will discover in Click!" Many of his previous photography books, including "Reunions" and "Barking Mad," have achieved international success.
The latest photography project holds special personal significance for Porsz, as it began after his wife of 46 years, Lesley, sadly lost her battle with breast cancer in 2022. The route he chose was a nostalgic journey that retraced a path he first traveled with Lesley in 1974, when the adventurous young couple hitchhiked from John O'Groats to Land's End over the course of ten days. "Losing the love of my life, seeing old friends depart early and what I had witnessed during my paramedic career, gives me a sense of added urgency to make the most of my life now," Porsz reflects. "So, I decided to undertake this nostalgic journey before it's my time and while my legs and brain still work! I needed a positive project and a challenge which inspired me to get creative and indulge in my passion of street photography."
The ambitious project required Porsz to walk more than 800 miles and travel 9,000 miles by train in his quest to capture compelling images. "I headed for the big busy cities but, like fishing, I often returned without a bite and it explains why some places are unrepresented," he explains. "I walked miles around my noisy, luminous, glitzy stage, comprising barbers, nail bars, vape, phone, junk food and betting shops. I constantly scanned the horizon for those eccentric characters, buskers, inebriated stags and hens who stand out from the crowd and Click!"
Porsz describes his photographic philosophy as seeking out the extraordinary in ordinary moments. "I look for the absurd, the quirky, funny side of life in social interactions, and juxtapositions, from the sublime to the ridiculous, that most of us miss as we rush by." Despite the potential awkwardness of photographing strangers on the street, the experienced photographer has developed effective techniques for managing these encounters. "While most of us would be a bit apprehensive snapping the antics of strangers in the street, a smile and a quick explanation often got me out of any potential trouble," he notes with humor. "Probably the biggest threat is being hit by fast food delivery e-bikes and e-scooters."
"Click! Land's End to John O'Groats" is now available for purchase at £18. Copies can be bought through Amazon or Porsz's personal website, and the book is also expected to be available at Unity in Queensgate Shopping Centre in the coming days. The publication represents not only a artistic achievement but also a personal journey of healing and celebration of British street culture through the lens of an experienced photographer who continues to find magic in everyday moments.
