City scenes and urban fragments Part I

Being a native and inhabitant of London, I have always been amazed by the huge diversity of people, culture, history and architecture. With over 300 languages spoken and 37% of the population born outside of the UK this has to be, one of the most, if not the most, diverse city in the world.

What makes this metropolis unique is the richness of a blend of multiple communities, from the colourful Bangladeshi, West Indian and African culture of the now hip area of East London to the unique traditions of the Chinese community in China Town.

Dominating the ever-changing city skyline are the symbols of capitalism made of glass and steel.

To describe London as a melting pot is a well worn almost clichéd phrase but so apt at the same. The benefit of this diversity means a wide variety of food sold through a myriad of street markets, restaurants and Carnivals.

As a Londoner, it is traditional to have a moan about our tube system all the time, but if we are honest to ourselves, it’s an amazing feat of engineering for a transport system that was founded in 1863 that works almost perfectly!

You can’t help but get “that feeling” when you walk over the many bridges over the Thames after dark.

The generous helping of street art and murals define and stamp our unique mark that makes this city a creative and expressive place to live.

But with all the challenges of complex living , we have always come together as a community when needed. Remember the events after the London riots in August 2011, where huge swaths of the city took to the streets with brooms to clean up the mess of five ferocious days of anarchy.

This is a city not without its problems and it’s quite easy to be overly critical of it.

However, if you live here it’s hard to ignore that feeling of almost smug satisfaction as you absorb all that is good around you. This is why in my opinion London is the greatest city in the world.

“A bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else”

I have tried to paint a picture of this urban jungle through a series of images that I have captured whilst observing life as it passes before my lens.