Mass Observation: This is Your Photo – in pictures

Founded in 1937, Mass Observation's aim was to record the ordinary lives of ordinary people in order to counteract the stereotypes of the same that held sway in the British media of the time. Armies of volunteers interviewed people about their lives and opinions. Photographers such as Humphrey Spender were dispatched to make visual records of British communities. Though not in fact used at the time, Spender's images are now recognised as an important part of the Mass Observation archive. This photograph is from the series Bolton Worktown, 1937
Photograph: Humphrey Spender/Courtesy of the Mass Observation Archive

Parliamentary byelection – Children hanging around outside, 1937/38 by Humphrey Spender
Photograph: Humphrey Spender/Courtesy of the Humphrey Spender Archive/Bolton Council

Humphrey Spender, People on Bench, 1937-38. "We were called spies, pryers, mass-eavesdroppers, nosey parkers, Peeping Toms, lopers, snoopers, envelope-steamers, keyhole artists, sex maniacs, sissies and society playboys," said Spender of the Mass Observation photography project Photograph: Courtesy of the Mass Observation Archive

Humphrey Spender, Crowds, Blackpool, 1937/38
Photograph: Humphrey Spender/Collection of Bolton Library and Museum Services

Humphrey Spender: Library Reading Room, 1937-38 Photograph: Humphrey Spender/Bolton Council, from the Collection of Bolton Library and Museum Services

From Exmoor Village, a series of photographs shot by the famous postcard artist John Hinde for Mass Observation in 1947
Photograph: John Hinde/Courtesy of The National Media Museum

From the series British Circus Life, 1948, by John Hinde
Photograph: John Hinde/Courtesy of The National Media Museum John Hinde

Another shot from John Hinde's Exmoor Village, 1947
Photograph: Courtesy of the National Media Museum

From the series Britain Revisited shot by Michael Wickham for Mass Observation in 1960 Photograph: Courtesy of the Mass Observation Archive

From The Garden and Gardening, 1993
Photograph: With permission of Curtis Brown Group

From Images of Where You Live Cities, Towns, Villages 1995 Photograph: Mass Observation Archive, University of Sussex Courtesy of the Mass Observation Archive

Taken from You and Gardens, 2007 Photograph: Mass Observation Archive, University of Sussex Courtesy of the Mass Observation Archive