Spirit Behind the Lens

The collected photographic works of Eddie Otchere, Britain’s foremost chronicler of Black youth culture.

Spirit Behind the Lens is a reminder that photographic narratives are the bedrock of photography. Its intimacy is borne from the printed material that defined the history of contemporary Black culture. A whole life on film, curated by pivotal moments donated from the past. The photography of today is taken from the journals of yesterday. The visual world of one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic photographers, Eddie Otchere.

Hailing from the epicentre of London’s jungle scene, this book documents how Otchere crafted the visual identities of house, garage, jungle, drum n bass and hip-hop, working with artists including lil Louis, So Solid Crew, Kemet Crew, Goldie and Black Star. Accompanied by a written memoir in which Otchere outlines his practice, influence and personal history, Spirit Behind the Lens is not only a history of Black British culture told through the work of its greatest and most influential photographer, but a manual on how to navigate the emotional aspects of being creative and an exploration of the romance of photography itself.

Jennifer Lopez, Biggie Smalls, Sherrelle, Wu Tang Clan, Aaliyah, Nas, Goldie, Wizkid, Cleo Sol, Jyoty, Spike Lee, Tariq Goddard, Neil Gaiman, OutKast, Snoop Dog, Lenny Kravitz, Ministry of Sound, Twilo, So Solid Crew, Kemet Crew, Goldie and Black Star.