England Uncensored: The Book
Today we want to present you ‘England Uncensored’ a book by Peter Dench:
Peter, tell us a bit more about yourself and your motivation behind the book.
“As a photographer I have had the privilege to work on assignment in over 50 countries across the planet but it is to England I return and consistently point my lens. It is my home, my passion and the people who I want to understand the most.
“The world’s attention is again set to turn towards England for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games, the coverage will be as polished as the crown jewels. England Uncensored is a laugh out loud romp through this often badly behaved nation, it is not an idealized brochure of a green and pleasant land, it is the truth, warts and all.
Please give us some info about the images featured in the book.
An elderly couple kiss in a weather shelter on Blackpool promenade.
“I was in Blackpool on assignment for German News Magazine STERN photographing how the English love and Blackpool has for a long time been a destination for people in, or looking for love. This couple caught my eye and I fired off a frame. As I often use fill-in flash they noticed the camera and quickly peeled away from one another.
“After the photograph was published I had several telephone calls; “Hello is that Peter Dench?” “Yes”. “Did you take that photograph of the elderly couple kissing in Blackpool as I think that’s my dad, but that’s not my mum”. On each occasion I explained exactly when the photograph was taken and it turned out it wasn’t their dad!
A skinhead bares his torso in a busy pub on a Friday night in the Lancashire village of Bacup.
“I always have my camera on display. I was in Bacup for the first time and popped my head in the door to see if the situation had potential for images and walked in.
“There are generally two reactions when a stranger walks into a pub with a camera. Half will want you to bugger off, half to have their picture taken.
“I was invited to sit with a man celebrating his birthday when the skinhead walked in. He saw the camera, pulled off his camouflage top, threw it to the floor and struck this pose.
Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.
“Traditionally this woman would meet her friends for a drink each year on Ladies Day in the bus shelter opposite the race course entrance. On this occasion there was already a man drinking high strength lager already sitting there.
What is the whole concept behind the photo book?
“In general there’s a big demand for photo books but publishers aren’t always willing to adapt to the demand. Using the crowd fund platform emphas.is seemed sensible. The photographer gets to design the book how they want it. It’s quick, exciting and it gets people involved.
I have 60 days to reach my target!
“If enough people think the book deserves to exist and pre order a copy, it gets printed, if not, all the pledges are returned!”
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Yes, please, Peter, I could give copies to Americans who think England is Downtown Abbeyland . . .
Thank you for your message.
I'm not working at theprintspace anymore, but my colleagues monitor my emails and will get back to you soon.
In urgent cases please contact Artur (artur@theprintspace.co.uk).
Thank you.
Kind regards
Wido Falkenstein
How do you get the book?
Hi Richard, you can get the book or collectors edition direct from http://www.emphas.is click on the 'UK Uncensored' project then choose from the right hand column. Best. Pete