A photograph by acclaimed photographer, Don McCullin taken in London in 1969. McCullin considers it one of his finest pictures. Here he explains its context…

“There are social wars on your doorstep. People used to write me letters, saying, “I want to be a war photographer.” I’d say: “Help yourself – it’s in your cities.” This man slept by a fire in Spitalfields market, very close to the City of London, which generates billions and billions of pounds for the people who own it. You couldn’t have more of a contrast. One side is everything, and the other side is nothing.

I call this picture Neptune, because he looks like the sea god. I thought he was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen.

by Jaded_Variation9111

20 comments

  4. That’s my retired Dad when my Mam isn’t there to feed and look after him for more than 8 hours.

  5. Have you seen the old man
    In the closed down market
    Kicking up the papers
    With his worn out shoes?

    In his eyes, you see no pride
    Hand held loosely at his side
    Yesterday’s paper
    Telling yesterday’s news

  6. McCullin photographs are powerful and his sense of humanity and guilt about them is emotional to read

  8. See the man, the crushed up man, with a crushed up Carrolls packet in his hand. Doesn’t seem to see or care or even understand. And all he says is ‘f yiz all’.

  11. From a fantastic article in the Guardian. You should consider linking it, OP

  18. Yikes! Very problematic photo, that’s the end of his media career anyway or maybe he’ll become PM of Canada, who knows.

  20. Did you get permission from Danny Healy-Rae to share his image?

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