Down The Tube vintage photos of London Underground

The London Underground system is one of the most familiar aspects of travelling in and around London. It is used by a wide section of people living, working and visiting the capital. The modern stylized underground map gives the impression that this metropolis is criss-crossed by a giant spider’s web linking most of Greater London and parts of the Home Counties.

In many ways the underground is a microcosm of a modern city, with its busy, congested environment particularly for commuters during the morning and evening rush hours. The discomfort of some travellers showing in the way they would recline, lean and perch, their faces displaying a vacuum of mind and soul resigned stoically and dispassionately to the journey. — Paul Baldesare

The exception would be the children who made the journey into an adventure by using the carriages rather like a gymnasium clambering and standing on the seats, hanging and swinging on the hand supports.

The project was shot candidly, that is without the subject normally being aware. This allowed a more spontaneous and objective approach to the subject. It also meant that the photography wasn’t influencing the outcome of the scene allowing it to unravel in the same way as if I wasn’t there. There was no intent to fool or deceive the subject. — Paul Baldesare