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Last Days Out With Colin O’Brien

October 20, 2016
by the gentle author

Today, I look back at some of my favourite pictures by Contributing Photographer Colin O’Brien from 2013 – 2016. We clocked up over fifty assignments for Spitalfields Life working in partnership until his death in August this year, giving me cause to look back over all the adventures that we had together. Tonight at 6:30pm, I shall be reminiscing about my experiences working with Colin as part of his retrospective exhibition THIS ENGLAND at Unit G Gallery, 12a Collent St, E9 6SG.

Terry Smith, Envelope Cutter at Baddeley Brothers, July 2013

Anna Carter, Carters Steam Fair, August 2013

Carters Steam Fair, Victoria Park, August 2013

Savvas Kyriacou, Muscleworks Gym Bethnal Green, September 2013

Tony Stevens, Daneford Trust, Bethnal Green, September 2013

Gerry Cottle, Gerry Cottle’s Circus, September 2013

John Dolan & George the Dog, Shoreditch, October 2013

Steven Armstrong, Postman in Whitechapel, December 2013

Elam Forrester says goodbye to her home in Samuel House, Haggerston, prior to demolition, February 2014

Peter Sargent, Butcher in Bethnal Green, February 2014

Bob Rogers, Speakers Corner, February 2014

David Dobson, Landlord of the Blind Beggar, Whitechapel, March 2014

Ash Grove Bus Depot, Hackney, April 2014

Whitechapel Mission, May 2014

Whitechapel Mission, May 2014

Bob Mazzer, Howard Griffin Gallery, Shoreditch, June 2014

Jay the Tailor, Druid of Wormwood Scrubs, Primrose Hill, Midsummer 2014

Brogan Ferron, Weavers Fields Adventure Playground, Bethnal Green, September,  2014

Lottie Ferron, Weavers Fields Adventure Playground, Bethnal Green, September 2014

Chris Georgiou, Tailor, Kings Cross, September 2014

Jasmine Stone & her daughter Safia, Stratford, October 2014

Boar’s Head Parade, City of London, December 2014

Nativity Procession, Spitalfields, December 2014

Last day of The Gun, Spitalfields, February 2015

Walthamstow Marshes, August 2015

Flossie Reed & Vi Charlton, Hop-picking at Lamberhurst, Kent, September 2015

Ahmed Nassr, Olive Seller, Queen’s Market, Upton Park, October 2015

Lego Exhibition, Docklands, December 2015

London Bridge, January 2016

Upton Park,  June 2016

George Parrin, Ice Cream Seller, Whitechapel,  August 2016

Leon Powell, Denmark St, August 2016

I hope as many readers as can do so will come along to St James Church, Clerkenwell, on Thursday 17th November. The bells will ring from 5:30pm and we will commence at 6:00pm. We will be showing photographs and there will be reminiscences, readings, music and films, and a big party in the crypt to celebrate our friend from Clerkenwell, COLIN O’BRIEN. Make it a date in your diary.

You may also like to take a look at

So Long, Colin O’Brien

Colin O’Brien’s Last Assignment

Days Out With Colin O’Brien

6 Responses leave one →
  1. October 20, 2016

    He had an obvious rapport with the sitters of his portraits, and a keen eye for the telling detail in his street photography. He was a very talented photographer. My condolences for your loss.

  2. October 20, 2016

    I find myself mourning a man I haven’t met, but wish that I had done so.

  3. Eddie Johnson permalink
    October 20, 2016

    The picture of the steam fair at Victoria Park brought back memories, I worked at the very first fair after the war on the knocking down tin with a duster stall, I was there for a week and the man never paid me.

  4. October 20, 2016

    So sad to hear that this genius has passed away …
    Mr Colin O’Brien (1940-2016) — R.I.P.

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  5. October 20, 2016

    Colin O’Brien – a great photographer & wonderful human being.

  6. pauline taylor permalink
    October 20, 2016

    Some great images here, so thank you to the late Colin and to you GA for introducing him to us. I wonder if that man is still there on Hyde Park Corner and if his placard still has the same message, if so he is dead right!!

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