Unveiling the Underbelly: Through the Lens of Lewis

Lewis, a Mancunian freelance photographer, has made it his mission to capture the essence of urban life, often focusing on areas that many might dismiss as mundane or unsightly. His journey, much like his art, is deeply personal and profoundly influenced by his working-class roots.

“I’m just a working-class lad,” Lewis explains. “But my mum introduced me to the arts from a young age. I saw my first opera at nine and my first ballet at ten. I just thought that was the way that everyone else was, but when I got to university, I realised that wasn’t the case!”

“The arts are seen as more of a middle-class thing,” Lewis continues. “Even for some of my friends, the thought of going to an art gallery is ridiculous to them, and it shouldn’t be. I’m hoping that taking photos of working-class places opens photography up to people who wouldn’t normally view it.”

To encourage more people to engage with photography, Lewis runs classes through his business, Urban Lens Academy, and offers photography tuition to young people via Artroot, a venture focused on schools and youth groups. “People are taking more photographs than ever, but they’re not going anywhere. I think photography should be for everyone because I’m a great believer that everyone needs a way to destress, and art is a great way to do it. With photography, you could go out and take a shot and be happy with it without any skill or training. But I do think there are certain barriers to working. I’ve been trying all my life to open it up more.”

“Hopefully, that shows that if you’re willing to work hard, you can do whatever you want.”

Lewis’s approach emphasises identity and personal vision before delving into technical skills. This method, which he plans to expand through his upcoming Urban Lens Academy, aims to democratise art and make it accessible to everyone, regardless of background. “Hopefully, when I’m in front of a class of young people, my accent and how I show that I’m the same as them. It doesn’t matter if they want to get into art or something else – hopefully, that shows that if you’re willing to work hard, you can do whatever you want.”

He believes that photography, in its simplicity and immediacy, is a perfect medium for expression. His teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that everyone sees the world uniquely, and he encourages his students to embrace this individuality.

Photography found Lewis early, with an adventure-set camera at the age of six, though it lacked film. He began filing mental snapshots of his surroundings, a habit that would shape his distinctive style. “I like to show the beauty in things that people wouldn’t normally notice the beauty in,” he says, emphasising his focus on urban landscapes and the nuances of everyday life.

Growing up in Manchester, with its storied past and vibrant present, serves as a major influence on Lewis’s work. He is particularly inspired by the work of Shirley Baker, a Mancunian photographer renowned for her candid, working-class street scenes. “Cities are living, breathing places,” he muses, describing how the city’s character imprints on its inhabitants. “There are certain places around the world that have a massive effect on your personality and your psyche that remain regardless of if you move elsewhere. I was working in Berlin, and if I met another Mancunian, I could tell where they were from straight away and not just from the accent. There’s a certain attitude Mancunians have – they’re inbuilt sceptics, but when you actually get to know them, there’s that warmth, and then there’s a sense of humour underlying it, and I try to get that across in my photographs.”

“When I’m feeling down or panicked or out of place, then I immediately pick up my camera.”

During the pandemic, Lewis turned his lens to Blackpool. “I remember first hearing rumours of this illness spreading in China, but it never usually spreads worldwide. By the next day, it was in the country, and the supermarket shelves were empty. I remember feeling panicked. When I’m feeling down or panicked or out of place, then I immediately pick up my camera.”

Usually working freelance, Lewis found his work drying up during lockdown. So, he decided to spend his time photographing local places that he was familiar with, but soon found his expectations being blown apart. “Being from Manchester, I used to go to Blackpool all the time, and I grew to dislike it a lot. I used to go to the Sandcastle Centre with my daughter when she was young, but with the nightclubs being open during the day, it created friction with families trying to enjoy the place with young children. I went to Blackpool expecting to portray it a certain way, but when I got there during the pandemic, and it was quiet, and no stag dos were staggering around the street at 10 in the morning, it became a completely different place to me.”

This aligns with his broader mission: to use photography as a tool for social commentary and change.

Lewis is inspired by Mancunian photographer Shirley Baker, known for her working-class street scenes. Looking ahead, Lewis is drawn to documenting cities like Stoke-on-Trent, which he describes as facing significant decline. His interest lies in showcasing these areas, not just to highlight their struggles but to advocate for the help and recognition they deserve. This aligns with his broader mission: to use photography as a tool for social commentary and change.

“It’s a shame because places like that were often the heart of the community, but then they’ve been left to decline. I want my photograph to point out that these places need help; these people need help. That’s the reason I got into photography in the first place.”

For those interested in exploring Lewis’s evocative work, his ever-evolving Instagram gallery, @photographybylewis, offers a glimpse into his ongoing projects. The Urban Lens Academy is perfect for aspiring photographers who want to gain the tools and inspiration to see the world through their own unique lenses.

NorthernLife Sep/Oct/Nov 24