London in 1979: photographer captures the city on the cusp of a new decade

Swedish photographer George Kindbom has only visited London once - back in 1979 - as a 27-year-old man eager to travel the world and observe the idiosyncrasies of its various cultures. He certainly came to the right place.

Through his images he captures an almost alien generation of eccentric characters free from the trappings of technology and all those Instagram filters. Margaret Thatcher had just won her first general election, the Jubilee line was recently inaugurated and the next decade was about to change the world beyond recognition.

Kindbom made the trip with five friends, over a decade before he turned his photography hobby into a full-time job. And while the photos may be a little raw, their candidness portrays a city and it's people as through rose-tinted glasses.

Despite catching such intimate portraits, Kindbom never spoke to the people in the photographs. Instead he invites the viewer to create their own story behind the scene, just as he did 38 years ago.

"It's a different culture from what we have in Sweden," says Kindbom. "I am from a small town called Huskvarna and everyone looks the same and they all know each other. The people in London were less friendly but it was such a shock to see how everyone was so different and unique. But it was amazing. I really wish I could go back someday."

You can view more of George Kindbom's photos at kindboms.se