sunil shah

The fabric of modern society contains much diversity. Social culture is heavily defined by the media, market forces, status aspirations and the search for subcultural identity. Twenty first century modern living seems more and more homogenized, pasteurized and sterilized. Shopping malls, retail parks and pedestrianised high streets, haircuts, clothes and TV shows. Everyone seems to look the same and aspire to the same ideals. In these times not all survives, as the world slowly changes some ideas and lifestyles begin to fade, some become subcultures or go underground, some may resurface into mainstream consciousness. However, what is seen now will not necessarily be part of our world in say, 20 years time. What was once mainstream culture or even a way of life can become solely the heartbeat of a few who strive to keep their work or vision a reality, against the odds. This is a photographic study of today's fading lifestyles.

Once thriving in a different era and now much less so, the businesses you see here have had to adapt and struggle in an uncertain economic and culturally changing climate. All the traditional values of service still exist. These places do not have the mainstream status they once had but they do have a valued and a very distinct presence in the community.