Freddie Miller, originally from Bristol and now living in southeast London, has always had a strong interest in subcultures. His latest project, titled The District, came about quite naturally when he was invited to participate in an exhibition in Deptford, with the aim of documenting life on the Pepys Estate housing estate, one of London’s largest council estates. His shots look back to those of Tony Ray-Jones, taken by the photographer in the 1970s when he documented the same neighborhood for Architectural Review. Like Ray-Jones, Miller’s approach has been decidedly informal. The protagonists of the project are the young residents of the neighborhood, contacted by Miller through social media. It was on Instagram that he made contact with Skitszo, a drill artist he met with a group of his friends who were interested in using the photographs to promote their music. This connection with the drill community proved to be perfectly in line with Miller’s interest in subcultures, setting the stage for a collaborative and immersive project.
Building trust with the subject is important for shooting well
Before he began taking photographs, Miller spent time in the neighborhood to build trust with the residents. During the summer he devoted two or three days a week to meeting with the kids, socializing mostly with Skitszo and his friends. For Freddie Miller, it is indeed a necessary step to create a collaborative environment in which they can discuss interesting places and setups for photographs, leading to a more authentic representation of their lives.
Challenging stereotypes and negative perceptions
In contrast to Tony Ray-Jones’ black-and-white and decidedly starker images, Miller wanted to present a more nuanced and celebratory depiction of the Pepys Estate and its residents. Inspired by Enda Bowe’s reflective depictions of urban life in “Clapton Blossom,” Miller focused on the musical ambitions of the drill artists, the strength of their friendships, and the pride they felt for their community. His photographs seek to counter the negative stereotypes often associated with drill music and urban neighborhoods by highlighting the positive aspects and aspirations of the young people he documented.
A harsh and stark reality
Despite his celebratory intent, Freddie Miller does not avoid the more difficult aspects of life on the Pepys Estate. During his visits, he observed a tangible sense of neglect by local authorities, with the youth club and community café both closed, leaving few places for young residents to gather. While celebrating the vibrant community, his photos also hint at these problems, providing a more complete view of the environment.
Courtesy Freddie Miller
