16 February 2011 Last updated at 03:12

Street Photography in London

Three young children sit on the pavement next to the curb, 1892. Photo: Paul Martin, 1893 © Estate of Paul Martin, courtesy Museum of London

Paul Martin is one of the photographers featured in a new exhibition of street photography at the Museum of London. Martin was the first photographer to use a disguised camera, taking candid pictures solely for the purpose of recording life as it is.

Wolfgang Suschitzky’s socialist upbringing influenced his approach to photography and by the 1930s camera technology had matured to allow photographs to be taken almost anywhere. Suschitzky went on to work as a cinematographer.

Cyril Arapoff made distinctive photographs with unusual vantage points using his German Rolleiflex camera. He went on to have a distinguished career in the documentary film industry.

Three boys sit on the roof of an old car whilst a fourth boy plays below. Photo: Henry Grant Collection, Museum of London

Henry Grant began his career by taking portraits of children and went on to become a freelance social documentary photographer working until the 1980s.

Flower seller in 1961. Photo: Lutz Dille ©The Estate of Lutz Dille, courtesy Museum of London

Lutz Dille was originally from Germany but also worked in Canada and the UK. He had the simple idea of photographing people just as they are, and also produced several films featuring his photographs, one in 1961 looked at Speakers' Corner.

Bob Collins was concerned with capturing the dynamism and energy of the capital. As well as shooting the stars of showbusiness, radio and television, he also took documentary photographs and captured offbeat moments.

Woman in cape with hood crosses an empty street in the fog. Photo: Paul Trevor, courtesy Museum of London

The late 1970s saw many photographers flocking to London’s working-class areas, much in the manner of their 1930s predecessors to capture the ‘old’ before it disappeared.

Man playing a harmonica leaning against a wall. Photo: Paul Trevor, courtesy Museum of London

This portrait was taken in 1978 and was part of Paul Trevor's extensive Eastender project, documenting the East End of the city.

It’s Pants in Walthamstow, 2002 / Photo: Adrian Fisk, Courtesy Museum of London

In recent years street photography has bloomed with many photographers introducing an element of humour within the frame. London Street Photography opens at the Museum of London on 18 February.

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