A Photo Documentary - Matlock At Work

Matlock photographer MIKE NORTH recently held his first exhibition of Matlock at Work at the Imperial Rooms, Matlock. He explains how the project was realised and why he's been encouraged to continue it into 2008.

"The initial aim of these portraits of local people at work was to create appealing images. At the same time, I would be taking the viewer beyond the shop front and showing the faces behind familiar names or, alternatively, putting names to familiar faces.

At first I was apprehensive about the intrusion of a photographer pursuing a personal project but almost everyone I approached was enthusiastic and very supportive.

Within a few days the project had taken on a life of its own. Although I have lived in Matlock for 30 years I was soon discovering for myself a diverse range of businesses and talents that make up the town. A turning point was meeting Lindsay Allen of Matlock Town Council and Nicola Wildgoose from Derbyshire Dales District Council: together we planned an exhibition in the town and a link to the 'Shop Local' campaign and regeneration plan.

I also came to realise a wider significance to this project: I was capturing a moment in time in the life of Matlock. Indeed, several people pointed out to me that I was assembling a valuable archive for education and community use. After all, the retail world in particular has an ever changing face.

I stayed true to my original concept to create images that showed the character of the people and the ambience of their workplace. I grouped five or six images together on an A2 size display board and the final result was 34 display boards each with a unique feel and style which reflected the person and their working environment.

I worked quickly and unobtrusively when shooting the photographs in an attempt to capture action and atmosphere. All the images were shot using a small hand-held camera and only ambient light. Whilst this created technical problems, it helped to form the unique 'personality' of each display board.

What started as a short personal project to last only a few months has grown into a year-long event. Spurred on by the interest of the people who work in Matlock, the people who live in Matlock, and the people who visit Matlock, I intend to continue this project until the end of this year and mount a series of exhibitions to show progress. The final event A Snapshot of Working Life in Matlock 2006-2007 is planned for the spring of 2008.

I feel that this project has helped bring different parts of the community together. It's certainly raised my own awareness of the important role small businesses and retailers play in the town and, from the comments I received from visitors, I sense that they also appreciate the town a little more." 

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