The streets of Durban’s inner city tell a complicated story—one of decline, resilience, and adaptation. While many view the city’s crumbling infrastructure and rising crime as signs of irreversible decay, local street photographer Sean Stretch sees something more: a visual record of history in motion, a testament to how people interact with and reclaim urban spaces.
Stretch’s journey into street photography was unplanned. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, when movement was restricted and the city streets emptied, he began cycling through Durban with his phone in hand, capturing scenes of the urban landscape.
“The bike gave me the ability to travel across the city, capturing lighting effects over cityscapes and the agility to quickly access and exit most areas in relatively safe ways,” he explained.
At first, his focus was on natural light and architecture, but as he moved through the city, he began documenting more than just buildings.
“A by-product was recording city infrastructure and how people interact with it—illustrating urban decay, council maintenance, service delivery, transformation, and the evolution of the city,” he said.
Durban’s CBD has undergone significant changes in the past few decades. Once a commercial hub, many businesses have relocated, leaving parts of the city in disrepair. Cracked pavements, broken streetlights, and abandoned buildings now define much of the landscape, giving rise to perceptions that the city is falling apart.
For Stretch, these elements provide a striking aesthetic.
“Urban decay provides an interesting backdrop, and that range of colour and texture becomes part of creating dramatic images,” he said. His photography highlights the contrast between fading grandeur and the everyday resilience of those who continue to use these spaces.
Rather than simply documenting neglect, his work aims to spark conversation about what is lost when cities fail to maintain their infrastructure. “I am either looking at how natural light is falling onto cityscapes, buildings, and streets—capturing and highlighting city planning and our architectural heritage—or focusing on how people are using the space, the quality-of-life they derive from it, and how a sense of ownership of the inherited city is created,” he said.
Capturing these moments is not without its risks. Durban’s inner city is often perceived as unsafe, with high crime rates and deteriorating public spaces. Yet Stretch pushes back against the idea that danger is unique to the CBD.
“This work has shown me how neutral the city is. I don’t think it is any different to the suburbs.
Crime can happen at any moment, and we adapt to be aware of our surroundings and prepared for different scenarios. That’s called survival, and those instincts serve you well in all aspects of life,” he said.
Shooting in public spaces also comes with ethical considerations. Street photography often involves capturing raw, unscripted moments, and there is always a fine line between documentation and intrusion.
For Stretch, authenticity is key.
“Being authentic about what you are doing matters—connecting with and being part of the people rather than looking in as an outsider,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of giving back to the communities he photographs.
“Find ways to give back to the community where you are not just taking away pictures but are also offering something in return,” he said.
While many associate Durban’s CBD with crime, grime, and neglect, Stretch’s work reveals a different side of the city—one filled with movement, culture, and human interaction.
“The city is what you make of it. There are so many interesting spaces to walk or cycle, shop, eat, meet people, and experience a special and completely unique local Durban culture,” he said.
His images challenge dominant narratives that depict the city as a place to be avoided. Instead, they highlight the vibrant street life that continues despite infrastructural decline.
“Change being the only constant, we can only hope things move in a positive direction. I hope the photography reminds us of all to work towards improving our environment,” he said.
Durban’s transformation is ongoing, and while the city’s challenges are undeniable, Stretch’s photography offers a rare perspective—one that neither ignores the decay nor glorifies it but instead documents it as part of an evolving urban landscape.
For those interested in Stretch’s photography, his work is available for both digital and print purchase. He also offers freelance photography services and commissions. He can be reached through social media for collaborations or inquiries.
IOL