John Gill gives the After the Coal Dust talk to camera clubs, photographic societies and community groups – in person within reach of West Yorkshire (further afield by arrangement), or over Zoom or Teams anywhere in the UK and worldwide.
Since 2020 he has spoken to more than 70 clubs and societies, from Stirling to Herne Bay, and talks are now booked into 2028.
What the talk covers
It is an illustrated talk built around photographs from the project: the former coalfield communities of Yorkshire after the pits closed, and other towns where steel, textiles and the seaside trade have gone the same way. The pictures are candid street photographs – markets, high streets, seafronts and the people in them – shown with John’s commentary on what was happening in each place and how the picture was made.
Expect humour as well as hardship, a few images chosen because they sparked debate, and plenty of time for questions at the end.
What clubs say
Your images are brutally honest of forgotten people in some of the most deprived places in the country. They represent an important photographic and historical record of the impact of post-industrialisation… I also think your images offered hope and laughter. In fact, I haven’t laughed so much in ages. It was brilliant.
Steve Lindsay, Durham Photographic Society, September 2026 – read the review
They made me reflect on the lives that people lead, the challenges they face and how under certain circumstances any one of us could end up on a different path.
A member of Gosforth Camera Club, October 2026 (by Zoom) – read the review
Throughout the evening the audience was captivated by the images displayed and John’s narrative. At the end there were many questions and everyone agreed it had been a really good evening.
Wakefield Camera Club – read the full report
Recent talks
Gosforth (Zoom), Rushden and District (Zoom), Durham, Beauvale in Nottingham, Rhyl (Zoom), Stirling (Zoom), York, Workington (Zoom), Settle, Ashford (Zoom), Batley, Herne Bay (Zoom), Clay Cross, Aireborough, Otley and Leicester (Zoom). The full list and the upcoming dates are on John’s talks page.
The book at talks
Copies of the A5 edition of After the Coal Dust are £10 at in-person talks (£12.50 delivered from this website).