Picture Essay

Nigel Henderson

Nigel Henderson beautifully captures the charm of everyday London life alongside the long lasting effects of World War II

photograph of two boys in a playground, from about 1953 — Nigel Henderson, Unidentified children playing on Chisenhale Road, London, c.1953© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of three men inside a barber shop circa 1949 - 1956 — Nigel Henderson Photograph of the interior of a barber shop, c. 1949 –1956© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of a street scene of ABC empire theatre in the late 1940s early 50s — Nigel Henderson, Photograph of ABC Empire theatre, London, c. 1949 –1956© Nigel Henderson Estate

Black and white photograph of Nigel Henderson taking a picture of himself in a mirrored wall by a busy street — Nigel Henderson, Photograph of Nigel Henderson, self portrait, nd.© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of a man in the doorway of a building which is in ruins, possibly due to bomb damage, post WWII — Nigel Henderson, Photograph showing a silhouette of a man through a building in disrepair, possibly bomb damage, c. 1949 –1953© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of a boy in a street covered with bunting, for Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 — Nigel Henderson, Photograph of street view during Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation celebrations, 1953© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of four men outside a shop in East London around 1951 — Nigel Henderson, Photograph of four young men outside a shop in East London c. 1951© Nigel Henderson Estate

black and white photograph of a band on and around ladders, about 1949 to 1956 — Nigel Henderson, Photograph of Ronnie Scott Orchestra, c. 1949 –1956© Nigel Henderson Estate

Celebrate Nigel Henderson’s birthday this week with this selection of negatives digitised as part of the Archives and Access project.

Find out more about the Archives and Access Project.

See also

Dying Technologies: the End of 35 mm Slide Transparencies

This project investigates the future of artworks for which 35 mm slides form an artistic medium and explores the implications of the discontinuation of analogue slide film and related technologies for the preservation and display of these works of art.
On the hoof and shooting from the hip

David Campany

Between 1930 and 1980 photographers from across the globe came to capture the essence of London. To coincide with an exhibition at Tate Britain featuring around 150 works, David Campany looks at how many of these visitors saw more than their British counterparts, and introduces a selection of photographers who reveal the stories behind the images