Photographer joins Shrewsbury’s past and present

Thursday 17th February 2011, 6:30PM GMT.

A composite of Swan Hill, by Richard Hammerton

These incredible pictures are the latest offering from a county photographer who is taking people back in time by providing them with privileged glimpses into Shropshire’s past.

Photographer Richard Hammerton, of Shrewsbury, seamlessly blurs the line between the past and present with striking computer-generated images.

Having released a number of similar photos last year he is now keen to exhibit work and is asking with old and interesting pictures to help develop his project.

“I would really like to build up a much bigger collection of these images, ultimately to the point where an exhibition or a book might be achievable,” said Mr Hammerton.

“Shropshire Star readers must be one of the best potential sources of old photos and I would really like to hear from anybody with photos of Shropshire, and particularly Shrewsbury who would be interested in supporting this project.”

The latest batch of pictures show the town at various points in history – overlaid on to a modern image – including scenes of Swan Hill and St John’s Hill.

Mr Hammerton, who works in public speaking and education for Marches Energy Agency, had been inspired to create the pictures after seeing photographs in the same style showing scenes of Russia.

He said: “I have lived in Shrewsbury for the past eight years, I feel very much at home here and never seem to run out of interesting photographic subjects.

I have recently set up my first online gallery to sell some of my pictures.”

Log on to http://www.photoboxgallery.com/rhphoto to view the images.

Anyone with pictures to offer him can e-mail r.m.hammerton@gmail.com or phone 07790 111229.

View more: Shrewsbury news.