Like many cities, there are countless surveillance cameras in Budapest, keeping watch over stores, banks, government buildings and various properties that are deemed worthy of extra protection. During a short trip my eye was frequently drawn to the signs that announce the presence of these cameras and after a few days I started to photograph them. Some businesses use a standard-issue sign but many do not. In addition to relaying a telling detail of our society of social control devices at every turn, the signs become a catalog of different video camera designs, from the more simple styles of the 1960s and early 70s, to bulky VHS camcorders of the 1970s and 80s, and smaller HD cameras of the 90s and 2000s.

These photos were taken between July 10-13, 2010 - primarily in Pest, though at least one was taken on the Buda side of the Danube River. Special thanks to Jen Blair who pointed out some of the signs that I would have overlooked during our walks through the city.

Marc Fischer: Marc [at] publiccollectors [dot] org