I think the nearest thing to this that I can refer to locally (ish) is from Cardiff. I used to work in an area of Cardiff called Penarth and there was an estate known as the 'Billy Banks' estate. When I frequented the area, around 2000 - 2001, the council was already in the process of emptying the largely rundown blocks of flats and only a few were seen to be still occupied. The council had decided to redevelop the flats and since demolishing the original billy banks estate in recent years, have now developed the 'new' luxury flats known as 'Penarth Heights'. But the BillyBanks estate as I remember it was on a hilltop with stunning views over Cardiff and had been referred to as 'Wales' ugliest eyesore' in its latter years. But directly beneath it, alongside the harbour, were recently built luxury apartments which were a direct social contrast to anyone who saw them.
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| screenshot of google results for billybanks estate photograph © Peter Brabham (www.flickr.com) |
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| screenshot of google results for cardiff harbour apartments |
I have done some searching and found a photograph showing the two in one, for you to get an idea of the contrast.
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| screenshot image showing the old billybanks estateand the harbour luxury apartments. © dejeka.wz.cz |
Interestingly, I also came across an article on BusinessInsider.com where there are some very interesting social contrast photos taken by photographer Kim Kyung-Hoon around Beijing in China. The article can be found at this web address:
The collection of images show the wealth gap of Chinas population from the buildings down to the lifestyles of the inhabitants.
Social contrast unfortunately is present everywhere. There are no two people the same and nowadays everyone is categorised into labels. Two main ones are rich and poor. Where I live we have areas of town which are labelled as poorer areas, and then the streets or areas which are more commonly known as richer areas. These social labels are not something that I have ever thought to think about photography-wise and not necessarily something that I would go out and photograph anyway. So it was interesting to research this and actually sit down and think about it.
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