Black and white photos often come to mind when we think of the past. They seem to fit the seriousness of history, the distance of time. But Shirley Baker, a photographer working in the 1960s, saw things differently. She captured the streets of Manchester, England, bursting with life and color.
Baker focused her lens on the working-class neighborhoods of Manchester, areas undergoing massive redevelopment. Old, often rundown houses were being demolished, making way for modern buildings and tower blocks. This period, while aimed at progress, caused disruption and displacement for many families.
But Baker didn’t just document the changing landscape. She captured the spirit of the people who lived there. Children laughing in the rubble of demolished buildings, their games adapting to the shifting environment. Women chatting on doorsteps, forming connections despite the uncertainty around them. Men sharing a smoke and a moment of respite amidst the dust and construction.
These images, bursting with color, challenge the stereotypical view of life in the slums . They weren’t just places of poverty and despair, but communities brimming with resilience and a sense of shared experience. Baker’s photographs remind us that even in challenging times, people find ways to connect, find joy, and build meaningful lives.
Baker had a knack for capturing small, everyday moments that spoke volumes. A young boy proudly showing off his pigeon, a symbol of hope and freedom against the backdrop of demolition. A group of children engrossed in a game of marbles, their faces etched with concentration and excitement. A woman hanging laundry, a simple act transformed into a moment of grace and dignity through Baker’s lens.
