From club culture to crooners

The tall frame of photographer Tom Oldham is hunched over the computer in his tiny office at the top of his modest house in East London. Competition images are ready to submit but Tom isn’t ready to submit them. What if they don’t win? He would think less of the work. Tom doesn’t want to think less of the work, he thinks it’s very good. The sound of wrapped-up revellers can be heard exiting The Lauriston pub. The faint smell of marijuana taints the winter air outside. The deadline is less than an hour away. It’s time to decide.

I first met Tom in 2013 on a half-day journey to Falmouth University where we were scheduled to give a talk to students. Our paths had nearly crossed many times before. When Tom was selling suits at fashion retailer Next in Bournemouth town centre, I was touting trousers in Top Man a few doors along. When Tom’s National Diploma