Black & White photograph from Stuart Paton, Hoi Polloi series

Hoi Polloi A photography project by Stuart Paton

Born and raised in the central belt of Scotland, Stuart Paton is a street photographer whose pictures tend to revolve around themes like alienation, identity and social dissonance.

“My photographic baby steps with Don McCullin holding my hand. Circa nineteen oatcake. This is (mainly) Britain at the time Margaret Thatcher was pioneering neo-liberalism and much of the country was being coshed.

For a while I did harbour some fanciful idea of becoming a war photographer but it was McCullin’s social documentary that really got under my skin. So although I’ve no battle scars or tales of derring-do to brag about…. a fair amount of bus fare money, cul-de-sacs and cold pies lie behind the pictures.

Maybe it’s only in hindsight that the world seemed a more straightforward place to understand and depict. Thatcher’s model has imploded but nonetheless the world appears to be a more confusing, fucked up place. Maybe it’s just that I let go of McCullin’s hand but I also feel that a more splintered reality invites a different photographic approach.

The social signifiers have shifted once more and so these days I use a more oblique photographic alphabet. If the world was a potato before it’s more like an onion now.

Anyway…. I sometimes wonder what became of the people in the pictures. Personally, I’m still picking at the same scab.” Hoi Polloi by Stuart Paton

– Discover more of Paton’s work here: Stuart Paton and on Flickr.

NB: Hoi Polloi is Greek expression that means the people. In English, it has been given a negative connotation to signify the masses.

Call for entries

© Alessandra Manzotti
2025 Travel AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

This summer, we’re looking for images that go beyond the picturesque, revealing the true essence of a place. Share your photos that capture the spirit of its people, the richness of its traditions, and the rhythm of daily life. From bustling markets to serene vistas, every compelling narrative is welcome!

*EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT* – Submit by July 15th to receive 50% off on ALL submissions!

 

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +890k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio

Recent Articles

More Articles

Privacy Overview
The Independent Photographer

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website or helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

We use third-party cookies, including tools like Google Analytics and Meta Pixel, to help us understand how visitors interact with our website. These cookies may track your activity across other websites and are used for analytics, performance monitoring, and advertising purposes.

Enabling these cookies helps us improve your experience and provide relevant offers and content. You can opt out at any time via the cookie settings.