As a freelance documentary photographer Tony Othen worked mostly for clients in the charity and education sectors, so his work always had a purpose: to support the aims of the charity and the development of the educational body.

“Knowing why the picture was taken is vital. Let me give an example: walking into an elderly lady's poorly furnished flat I didn't shoot when she was smiling — only when she was looking sad. My reason for being there was to promote the work of my client, who were encouraging young people to volunteer to help those in need. It was my gut feeling that if this lady looked too happy the objective would not be served, so I waited until she looked sad and reflective. My image was real but not necessarily representative. It was a moment caught in time; not posed, just selected.

With millions of pictures put up on social media every day, it is hardly surprising that some of mine found their way onto group sites with a strong geographical focus. At first I felt a little hurt — no permission, copyright — until I read the comments alongside images taken some fifty years ago. They triggered memories but also personal, social and historical viewpoints that might otherwise have been lost. For me they gave a new purpose to the pictures: the original one had passed, but now there was a whole new audience.”