Local Essential West Oxford Shops Open for Business during Lockdown 3
During this latest lockdown it became more apparent that the public are resorting to the large online retailers, rather than a local shop in the community. So, I decided to start a photography project highlighting the fact that all the independent essential businesses in the community were happy to remain open, serve customers in a safe environment and offer help, advice and a personal service.
The Story from the Shops
When chatting to the owners it became obvious that many members of the public ‘had no idea they were still open’. The opening hours would be on the website but in fairness it’s not always clear whether these hours apply during lockdown, but in all cases they did.
Each shop owner has an interesting story to tell of their experience of Covid-19 and operating in the current climate.
I spoke to Lucy, who is running Jericho Coffee Traders Roastery. She said:
We are open for takeaway coffees and ground coffee, but often our customers don’t know the shop is still open, just with slightly reduced hours.”
Lucy is also working for a friendly doorstep theatre project with WhatNot Theatre, which she hopes will raise the morale of the local community.
The businesses Featured –
- Aldens Meatmaster – Butchers
- Jericho Coffee Traders Roastery – Coffee shop
- Aldens Fishmarket – Fishmonger
- Pickle & Lime – Greengrocer
- The Oxford Wine Company – Wine Shop
- Woodlands Pharmacy – Pharmacist
- Magenta Self Storage – Storage Company
- Beaumont Veterinary Group – Vets
- Warlands – Bicycle Shop
Taking the Photography on the Day
From the point of view of the photography, I had to be quick. explain why I was there clutching a camera and flash equipment, and get a representative portrait without holding up any customers or spending too long in the shop.
Newspapers like high contrast and punchier colours because of the paper stock, so I hand held an Elinchrom studio flash and bounced the light off the ceiling or even direct to get a better image. Manual focus is a challenge when the camera is held with one hand so the trick is to use an aperture of about f/5.6 and memorise the distance on the lens so that I know it will be sharp when I frame the image. This aperture means more flash is required which also increases contrast for the newspaper.
Press Coverage of the Photography and Local Business Story
Oxford Mail – Feature in Newspaper
We were very pleased to see that the Oxford Mail newspaper ran a double page feature using the photography and promoting the local businesses. This will hopefully increase the trade and allow the shops to remain open long after the lockdown lifts.
A quote from the article –
The innovative idea came to light when Mr Fry noticed that a number of essential shops and cafes operating within a square mile of his home were being overlooked by locals, who may not even know they are still open.”
Oxford Daily Info – Blog Post
The Oxford Daily Info also featured coverage of the photography project and reported on all the businesses in West Oxford which are still open over lockdown.
Round & About Magazine – Summertown / Botley / Boars Hill
The March 2021 edition of Round & About for Summertown, Botley and Boars Hill featured Piranha Photography‘s story about local businesses operating during Lockdown in Oxford.
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Professional corporate photographer, providing company headshot photography and video for businesses in London, the rest of the UK and Europe. Piranha are commissioned by FTSE100 companies and start-ups alike, for numerous projects, covering a wide range of work and styles. Portraits and office photography for use on websites, events coverage and PR shots for press and publications, as well as Board and location photography for annual reports. Using top of the range Leica cameras and lenses. We process the images promptly and to an extremely high standard.