A photographer takes a picture through the railings at Admiralty Arch, 1953. Photo by Bob Collins.

Firstly I will admit that this post is not necessarily street art based, but it is photography art and the photos are from the street, so perhaps we could, or should call it street art.

Anyway, last weekend I headed to the Museum of London to check out their London Street Photography exhibition which is open until September 4th. The temporary, but free, exhibition showcases over 200 candid photos of everyday life on the streets of London dating back to 1860. Think black and white images of horse drawn carriages, groups of street urchins peering into camera lenses, and Teddy Boys with their immaculate hair and stylish threads.

Recruiting Sergeants at Westminster, c.1877. By John Thomson.

Personally I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and spent over two hours immersed in the photos, staring into the faces of unexpected victims of early point and shoot photographers whilst imagining what it would have been like to actually be living in London during the Victorian age or throughout the Blitz. So if you have a spare afternoon, head along and check out the work of the 59 photographers, their own relationship to the street and ultimately how photography has developed over time. It really is very interesting.

More information can be found on the Museum of London website.

Photos (c) Estate of Bob Collins and Museum of London. Taken from Museum of London.