ESSENTIAL ONLY

Over the last month or so I have photographed the a market as primary research for the collaborative project Aeon, even within that time frame it has changed dramatically. The first few visits majority of stalls were up and running however from todays visit only 6 remained open following the government guidelines of all non-essential shops to be open.

Figure 1 (Shoot 2 ) Figure 2 (Shoot 3)

Figures 1 and 2 show the same shop at the same time just a few weeks apart. The shop photographed is Called button box selling material, thread and anything you need for textile creativity. This of it as a giant sewing tin. Deemed non-essential the steel shutter have been shut since 4th November 2020 and will not lift until the government update their guidelines.

As far as the photographs I like the connection between the stripes precent in both frames acting symmetrical to one another. I’ve chosen to edit my photographs into black and white due to the aesthetic, the harsh artificially lights carpeting the market don't allow photographing colour sufficiently. I also like the timeless feel that black and white gives. Without the context of covid -19 or a date with these images it could be any time place or country.

Figure 3 (Shoot 1) Figure 4 (Shoot 3)

Figure 5 (Shoot 1) Figure 6 (Shoot 3)

Figure 4 and 5 perhaps not as strong juxtaposition as the first pair however, the reality of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the market is very visual within the second frame. Barriers and curtains blocking customers and stall worker. Only a few weeks apart and the market seems like a very different place, almost finished. The photographs are taken at roughly the same time and as the first image shows shopper wondering a market. The physical barrier and curtains on the stalls seem almost metaphoric for the governments new ruling, what makes one stall essential and the other not? I am aware what the government state as essential, but I mean essential for the future of the market. The stalls suffering from closing are not the only victims. The open stalls have fewer potential buyers in the town centre, let alone the market itself. Leading to reduction in takings easily falling into closer permanently.

Figure 7 (Shoot 3) Figure 8 (Shoot 3)

Figure 9 (Shoot 3)

These photographs explore the present state of the Queensgate Market and the uncertainty of its future. The coronavirus pandemic might be the tip of the iceberg that the market has hit after struggling to compete with online shoppers and fast fashion.

some images show the physical barrier between the future and present others show desperate faces trying to keep their loving shop/stalls open and holding on to what the future can bring.

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Figure List

Figure 1-Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 2 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 2- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

figure 3- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 1 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 4- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 5- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 1 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 6-Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 7- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 8- Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .

Figure 9-Boothroyd , H. (2020). Shoot 3 Queensgate Market . [photograph ]. Aeon- Reserch , Huddersfield .