Street photographer’s new book captures life in Liverpool from the 1970s to now

A new street photography book captures changing people and places in Liverpool from the 1970s to today.

Photographer Phil Maxwell, who was a student and teacher here for 10 years, then returned a decade ago, has built up a collection of thousands of images over the years.

Now he’s used that incredible archive to create a book which he’s dedicated to Scousers and their friends everywhere.

Phil says the book, Liverpool, not only documents the city’s transformation but also celebrates the everyday lives of its people and its enduring spirit.

With his camera around his neck, he began taking photographs mostly around Liverpool 8 when he was studying at Christ College, now Hope Uni, in the early ‘70s.

Phil said:

“There were always lots of kids who were out playing in the street then and if they saw me with my camera they’d come up and say, ‘ey mate, take our picture will you?’ and I’d take it, so that’s really where it started.

“Liverpool became my ‘University of Life’, where I made friends, went clubbing, photographed the streets, listened to people a lot wiser than me, and grew up,”

“It left an indelible mark on my outlook on life, and it was the perfect place to begin my photographic journey.”

Although usually Phil obliged whenever he was asked, the majority of his images are unposed.

He explained:

“Most of the time, as a street photographer, people don’t know I’m taking the pictures,”

“But there are all kinds of informal rules you have to follow, you have to be diplomatic and polite, and respectful too. 

“I like to show people at their best in their natural circumstances, I wouldn’t show a photograph which is in any way demeaning to someone, so you have to use your instinct.”

Many people don’t realise they, or family members from previous generations, feature until they see the images in Phil’s blog or on display.

Phil added:

“The first photograph in the book must have been taken about 1978, in Liverpool 8 with the Anglican cathedral in the background. This lad, maybe aged about 8 or 9, asked me to take his photograph. 

“I put it in my blog, and the lad – who’s a grown man now – contacted me and said it was the only photograph he’s got of himself in childhood so he was delighted to see it. 

“That happens quite often, people go through the blog and they’ll spot someone and contact me to say they don’t have any other photographs of them, so there’s an interesting hidden history to these images.”

The A4 book has been curated by Phil’s partner, film-maker Hazuan Hashim, who used his creative eye and editing skills to select images from a vast array of places, subjects and eras.

One thing they have in common is they are all black and white.

Phil said:

“Black and white is a great leveller,”

“Some of these photographs could have been taken in the same year but they’re actually 50 years apart. That is what black and white photography does, it eradicates time difference to a certain extent.

“I love it because when I first started printing photographs as a kid it was all black and white then, and all the photographs I looked at in my local library, that first got me interested in photography, were black and white.

“I once saw a quote outside a gallery in Penang that said, ‘if you photograph somebody in colour you photograph their clothes, but if you photograph them in black and white you photograph their soul.’ I would totally agree with that.”

Although he has travelled the world taking photographs over his career, encountering different reactions in each country, it’s Liverpool he’s always drawn back to.

He explained:

“When I’ve been out in town, late at night, with a camera and I’m walking around, it’s definitely not unusual for people to ask to have their photos taken. 

“Scousers are naturally showy, so they absolutely make a great subject for any photographer.”

Liverpool, by Phil Maxwell, will launch at The Casa on Hope Street on Wednesday December 3.

For more information about Phil Maxwell and his new photography book, visit his website.

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