Picturing High Streets Collection
A national collection of 377 images that tell the stories behind the shopfronts on the English high street.
Three winning photographs of Norwich high street life, selected from over 100 entries to the Picturing Norwich competition, went on display in a major exhibition at The Forum, Norwich, in June 2023.
These evocative pictures of the high street were taken by the people of Norwich and join the Picturing High Streets national collection telling the stories behind our shopfronts.
The three winning Norwich photographs and seven runners up have entered Historic England’s Archive, the nation’s archive for England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history as part of the new Picturing High Streets national photography collection.
Three winners and seven runners up were chosen by a panel of expert judges including:
The judges have shared their reflections on how these images celebrate what makes Norwich special, from high street heroes to favourite hang outs and meeting places, and the historic features and buildings that give the city its unique character.
Take a look at the Picturing Norwich winning images below:
This contemporary take captures many of Norwich’s key landmarks, showcases the vast Norfolk sky, and celebrates the convivial and convening role of the public house in 2023.
St Peter's Street has become a significant place of expression for Norwich residents in recent years. Although it has long been a place for celebratory gatherings - from the Lord Mayor's procession to the start of the Pride parade - more recently, protests, vigils and other forms of solidarity have brought people together here. For me, this image - so meticulously framed - depicts the rebellious and carefree approach to what our high street means today, particularly to younger people. I'm grateful to those who choose to use their high street for what they feel is important to them and I feel proud to live in a city full of compassion and creativity.
This photo was chosen for its summary of what’s so special about Norwich’s High Street: the blend of old and new. Here we see Tombland and some of its businesses, captured beautifully through The Erpingham gate, which is over 600 years old. The judges also loved the light in this photo, and the way the gate and crossing frame the overall image.
Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.
A national collection of 377 images that tell the stories behind the shopfronts on the English high street.
A national collection of photographs documenting England’s high streets, taken by artists and members of the public in the early 2020s.
How the Picturing High Streets 3-year project involved the public in creating a contemporary record of England’s high streets.
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