Ben Nathan from Pinhole London on a unique photography project involving young people recreating historic local images with old-school technology

Exploring local history not only provides a window into the past, but it offers an opportunity for communities to think about the present and imagine what the future holds for their local area.

This was a concept Enfield youth leaders thought about over the summer, as they took part in an innovative photography project designed to not only shed light on how communities around the River Lee Navigation canal had lived in the past, but to explore the role local history plays in the present and future.

The project, delivered by community arts non-profit Pinhole London, saw nine senior young leaders from Enfield Island Village search through archives to pick out historical images of local landmarks and buildings, from canal locks and factories to pubs and water towers. They then travelled to the places featured in the images to capture the places as they look today, using pinhole cameras they made themselves with upcycled materials.

Later, in a temporary darkroom set up in the Enact Community Centre, the participants developed their photographs, watching their contributions to local history come to life in developing solution.

It quickly became clear that preserving our past isn’t just about documenting what’s already happened, it’s about creating opportunities for future generations to engage with and continue the story. Nathan Adeniran, a youth worker at Enact, put it perfectly when he observed: “Rather than seeing local history as the past, we need to see it as the future.”

Indeed, at the heart of the project – which was supported by a National Lottery Heritage grant – was the idea that the participants are themselves part of the area’s history. By blending historical reflection with creativity, participants were able to engage with their surroundings and place themselves at the heart of their local community’s story.

An exhibition of the images is on display at the Museum of Enfield at the Dugdale Arts Centre until 11th January. The captivating images have also been preserved for future generations and researchers in a booklet Enfield’s Forgotten Island: Photographic Time Travel which has been distributed to local libraries and is available to purchase from the shop at Dugdale Arts Centre.

The final collection of black-and-white images is a touching, personal and communal reflection of the area’s heritage through the eyes of the people who live in it. The pictures contribute to an important photographic record of the area that stretches back more than 150 years and will continue on long into the future.

At Pinhole London, we are committed to improving access to the arts and empowering communities to connect with their local history.

For more information about the pinhole photography workshops on offer:
Visit pinholelondon.org

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