I have written this piece today as part of the #Mondaymasters initiative.

First let me say how great it was to revisit the work of this British photographer who not only documented the changing political landscape of South Africa but also created a English series that is one of my favorites.

I guess many of the younger Togs reading this will be thinking that Barrett is promoting "old school" reportage again, Bla Bla Bla ! I would ask you to stop and look a bit deeper if your about to view this work with a level of complacency, this guy was creating Street Photography before many of us knew what it was. The image below is one of my favorite captures ever .

This image is from his book The English which was shot during the late sixties & early seventies before being published in 1978. Many of the shots were created in my native North East including Byker, it makes me think that every third person on Tyneside must have been a Documentary Photographer at this time.

I hope you enjoy discovering the work of this Magnum photographer if he is new to you and perhaps learn a little more about England and the English. .

The English by Ian Berry, now out of print but worth tracking down if you can.

I'm ashamed to say I had to wipe the dust from my copy of this great book before photography for this piece, its great to see these great pictures again.