Comments on: John Claridge’s Soho Portraits

By: Cindy Hacker

Cindy Hacker — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 16:36:40 +0000

Thanks, John, for keeping the Soho flame alive and reminding us of those who have passed our way. These insightful portraits are a real treasure.

By: pam

pam — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 09:28:52 +0000

Now more than ever do we need a book of Soho photos before the last memorable bricks are torn down..the French is hanging on in there..and lunch upstairs again but…incredible memories of all those characters, thanks John, I am glad my photo isn’t there!

By: Mike Hannett

Mike Hannett — Fri, 19 May 2017 14:44:40 +0000

More marvellous pictures, John and thanks for sharing them. A priceless record of a disappearing age.

By: graham cornthwaite

graham cornthwaite — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 06:26:53 +0000

Wonderful work. All the ‘Usual Suspects’ here.

Not since Hogarth or Dickens has anyone documented the face of Soho like John has, this is a historical document which deserves to be preserved in the Tate Modern archives.

I can smell the coffee from Bar Italia taste the croissants from Pattiserie Valerie’s feel the beat from Ronnie Scott’s taste the Beaujolais from the French and feel the warmth of every doorway smile “Allo Darlin”

As I have said before John is the original Cockney Sparra’ with the eye of an Eagle.

Sadly I don’t see much of the man now but he inspired my own humble photographs and I have my kodak memories him. God Bless you J C x

By: Marzena Pogorzaly

Marzena Pogorzaly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 20:31:50 +0000

These are quite extraordinary! Looking at your portraits always fills me with awe and admiration mingled with envy. I have no idea how you do it but I’m glad that you do…

By: Jimmy Fitz

Jimmy Fitz — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 13:50:45 +0000

Reflexologist:)

Great Series. Great Photographer. Great Charactors.

By: Marion Cairns

Marion Cairns — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 12:38:30 +0000

These are incredible portraits by John and capture both the character and mood of the time. A slice of history at the French Pub a unique venue in Soho. Can’t wait to get my copy of the book. Thanks for recording these wonderful people and place.

By: Paul Walton

Paul Walton — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 23:09:05 +0000

We’re losing Soho over time and also the characters that made it. John has invested years capturing the people that made Soho so unique. Fantastic.

By: John Chillingworth

John Chillingworth — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 17:21:08 +0000

When writing about the creative brilliance of John Claridge, his enterprise and intellect ensured that I numbered him among the finest photographers in the twentieth century. Just like his earlier picture books, publication of his Soho portraits will convey, not only the character of his sitters and the importance of their subject, but John’s sense of timing and emotional connection with a way of life that will never be seen again.

By: Deidre Wallace

Deidre Wallace — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 13:06:13 +0000

As Soho seems to be changing so dramatically, it is great that as a result of your atmospheric photographs, an important era has been captured for posterity. Thank you John.

I especially like your photographs of Gaz Mayall and Pinkietessa. You captured their essence extremely well.