The Real British Life in the 1970s

In the early 1970s, a small group of photographers calling themselves the Co-Optic Group—including Martin Parr, Gerry Badger, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, and Stephen Weiss—set out to take picture-postcard snapshots of what the ‘real Britain’ looked like. Their results are by turns nostalgic and extreme, with deckchair kips, tobacconists and a child forever blowing bubbles in front of Enoch Powell.

Enoch Powell Electioneering in 1970, by Paul Hill. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

Girl on a Spacehopper in 1971, by Sirkka Liisa Konttinen. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

Cricket Power in Acton, by Stephen Weiss. Photograph: Stephen Weiss/Co-Optic Archive.

Seaford in 1972, by Roy King. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

Blackpool in 1971, by Martin Parr. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

Brighton Billboard, by Dorothy Bohm. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

John Knill Ceremony in 1971, by Homer Sykes. Photograph: Co-Optic Archive.

Salford in Lancashire, by Nick Hedges. Photograph: Nick Hedges/Co-Optic Archive.