Yesterday I visited The Bank Of Ideas, a former UBS building that is currently being occupied as part of what is being reported in the mainstream press as the Occupy London campaign. I did go with the intention of doing portrait pictures of the protesters and squatters inside the building. Unfortunately most were adverse to having their picture taken and lost interest in me because I wasn’t an “official” agency or press photographer.
So after listening to a couple of discussion groups that had formed on the first floor and talking to protesters taking part I decided to wander off and explore the occupied UBS building on my own. As a photographer who normally photographs events and specifically people at those events, taking interior pictures of this old office block isn’t something that got me all that excited. I’m just putting the pictures from inside The Bank Of Ideas on my photography site to show the wider world what’s inside.
The following shots are from the original Occupy London Stock Exchange camp at St Pauls.
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Shame about the attitude of the occupiers, as I expect there to be many ‘characters’ amongst them. Anyway, they obviously don’t realise that everbody can be a publicist nowdays, whether official or not. Their loss I’d say.
I suppose it was really my attitude that was the problem rather than theirs. They just asked that I obtained permission before photographing anyone. Really I should have just shot away regardless or imposed myself on them. I’m planning on going back and setting up a little area to do some portraits, providing the courts don’t allow bailiffs/police into The Bank Of Ideas before I get the time to do it. Hopefully come away with some pictures good enough to submit to the Guardian.