Dougie Wallace featured in one episode of the occasional TV series “What Does The Artist Do All Day” recently. It was mostly about his latest work snapping the rich shoppers around Harrods. The idea is to publicise the stranglehold that the rich now have on London but I wonder if many of his subjects might not be flattered by the attention. He has a strong nerve: his method is to get right up close then use a double flash unit with the camera a couple of feet or less from the subject. This creates a photo where none might have been. First there is often a recoil with a shocked expression and second the close-up flash often creates the Ugly Effect, like Martin Parr or Bruce Gilden. Several times in the programme DW is reassured by acquaintances that this is the truth, he is simply photographing what is there; but like all photography it is a constructed truth. He used much the same technique when photographing stag and hen parties round Blackpool with much the same result. Yet, curiously, his photos of Indian taxi-drivers have a more benign look and the subjects seem more dignified. This is photography used very purposefully. The simple, cartoon-like quality of these images has great impact, but very little respect. You wouldn’t describe them as nuanced but I don’t think they are meant to be.