People in Tavistock exhibition. Street photographs by Russell Youles and Steve Bloom

Everday scenes in Tavistock are the focus of the exhibition People in Tavistock, which features photographs by Tavistock residents Russell Youles and Steve Bloom.

This exhibition is a collaboration of two distinct styles of photography, colour and black and white, digital and analogue, automatic and manual, traditional and contemporary.

Russell Youles studied photography at Plymouth College of Art and Design and has always been fascinated by the traditional craft skills of photography. Heavily influenced by documentary photographers such as Bill Brandt, Humphrey Spender, Chris Chapman and James Ravilious.

Russell was curious about the idea of trying to capture everyday events in Tavistock, looking closely at the world around him. These photographs were made using vintage Leica equipment (some dating to 1930s) to create an authentic vintage ‘look’ to his images. All B/W prints are hand printed.

Steve Bloom is an artist who usually creates abstract paintings in mixed media and was inspired by Russell to take up street photography and has developed his own style making use of digital technology to achieve his artistic vision. Steve is influenced by modern art and pop culture and this can be seen in the composition and in the high saturation of his photographs.

Together Russell and Steve have created a unique record of street life in Tavistock, Devon. Images from the exhibition can be seen on their Flikr stream

The People in Tavistock exhibtion is at the Tavistock Wharf until Friday, October 29.

(Image:  Bus All rights reserved by Russell Youles & Steve Bloom)