Big Issue vendors capture everyday lives through photography project
A photography exhibition at BBC Scotland launched last night, with work by photographer David Burnett who worked with homeless vendors from The Big Issue.
The ‘Eyes of the Street’ exhibition, organised by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), features images by Big Issue vendors and professional photographers.
Six vendors from the Big Issue took part a photography workshop before being handed new cameras, donated by Canon, with which to capture their daily lives.
Burnett explained that the photography would allow the vendors to convey what their lives are like.
“It's about giving people who haven't had much experience of photography the chance to see if it's something that clicks a button for them. We're trying to open people up to photography. Some folks get it quickly; some can spend days and days and they don't. Some people are just born with a bit of an artistic sensibility. But even if you're not, that's OK. The great thing about photography is you don't need to be licensed to do it; you can just pick up the camera and go,” said Burnett.
The Big Lottery Awards is funding the project for All Fund, the Scottish Community Foundation, Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation and the Russell Trust.
The free exhibition will move to the Mitchell Library in Glasgow from 23 July to 31 August.