Directing traffic (corner Swanston and Lonsdale Streets) c. 1978

YOUNG, Terry

Registration number

1926513

Artist/maker

YOUNG, Terry

Title

Directing traffic (corner Swanston and Lonsdale Streets)

Production date

c. 1978

Medium

digital file (scanned negative)

Credit line

Keywords

Terry Young, c. 1978, police officer, Swanston Street, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, photography

Summary

This photograph of a policeman by Terry Young was taken on the corner of Swanston Street and Lonsdale Street around 1978.

“These images of the people of Melbourne were taken during my formative photographic years. Inspired by the likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Eugene Smith, Walker Evans and many other influential photojournalists. It is not to say that these images are anywhere in the same category of these famous photographers, far from it. But we are all motivated by great artists as we look for a connection with the subject matter around us. Interestingly, I would not take this type of imagery now. The photographs were taken over 45 years ago and surprisingly they still resonate with me. They portray a time, a place and people who no longer exist as they do now. Eventually all our images become records of history. I hope you can see what I saw in them so many years ago.” - Terry Young, 2025