DUX DUCKETT

Hi - I’m Brian Lloyd Duckett, ‘Dux’ to my friends.

Julius Caesar suggested that “experience is the teacher of all things”. It’s a bold claim but, as my main job is now teaching street photography, it’s just as well I’m something of a veteran! I think street photography has always been in my DNA, even from my days at school. For me it’s all about the fun and the playfulness – maybe the mischief – of creating images which make people smile. Maybe I was a comedian in a previous life.

My Dad’s pal, legendary local press photographer, Tommy Ball, was often round at our house with his Rolleiflex over his shoulder. At the same time, my great art teacher (thank you, Mr Freear) really inspired me to persevere with photography and I think he convinced me that the kid with the camera round his neck would be cool and more attractive to girls (not sure about that one). And so a passion was born.

At the age of 15 my first published press image was of a dead dog in a litter bin, taken during a summmer’s work experience with the once-great Southport Visiter newspaper.

Now entering its 10th year, StreetSnappers is my pride and joy. I’ve long been a passionate street photographer and I guess my interest derives from pounding the streets of London, draped with cameras, as a news photographer. I founded StreetSnappers to bring together this passion for street photography with a love of teaching – something I only discovered I was good at later in life.

I’m still active as an editorial and commercial photographer and am a member of the BPPA (British Press Photographers’ Association).

I guess I’m what you might call an ‘observational’ street photographer. I enjoy finding the ‘unusual in the usual’ and recording the absurdities of 21st century life. I admire the work of street photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Gary Winogrand, Elliott Erwitt, William Klein, Daido Moriyama and Alex Webb; I also appreciate the work of the aestheticists such as Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert and Ernst Haas - or social documentarians like Martin Parr, Helen Levitt and Sergio Larrain. Each brings a rich diversity of style and approach to this wonderful genre of photography. But it’s not only the ‘greats’ who matter: I get as much satisfaction out of seeing my workshop students develop over the months and years – sometimes progressing from complete beginner to highly accomplished street photographer. There’s no greater reward for a teacher.

Outside of photography, my passions for tennis and sailing almost compensate for my love of food & wine. And I love all things Italian.

Workshops

I run documentary and street photography workshops around the UK and in European cities such as Lisbon, Prague, Venice and Paris – with other cities to follow. I lead workshops for small groups and I also run one-to-one workshops and mentoring programmes.

Books

My first book, ‘Mastering Street Photography’, has become an international best-seller and the follow-up – ’52 Assignments: Street Photography’ – is hot on its heels (both published by Ammonite Press). My third book, ‘52 Assignments: Black & White Photography’ was published in early 2022. Two other books were published during 2022: ‘Street Photography Workshop’ (Ammonite Press) and the ‘Street Photography Pocket Guide’ (Rocky Nook). My books are on sale at bookshops worldwide and signed copies are available directly from me here.

I’ve just been commissioned by Rocky Nook to write my seventh book, ‘A Street Photography Manifesto’, which will be published in spring 2025.

YouTube

On my YouTube channel you’ll find videos relating to street photography: tips, techniques, reviews, Q&A sessions and critique. Please subscribe if you would like to stay in the loop. You can watch my videos here.