Photographer Matthew Hatcher Documents US Surveillance Camera Network

Matthew Hatcher, an independent photographer, has released a self-published zine called "We've Been Watching You," which explores the network of surveillance cameras in urban America. Hatcher, who resides in Philadelphia, was inspired to initiate this project after he observed numerous cameras on his way to the gym. This zine is the first installment of a trilogy, with the upcoming edition focusing on the militarization of police forces. In the context of ongoing discussions about surveillance, Comparitech's research reveals that the average city in the US has 11 cameras for every 1,000 residents, while Atlanta exceeds 124. By 2024, Philadelphia had recorded 7,000 cameras. Hatcher has previously worked with Bloomberg, AFP, and other organizations. In 2020, he was shot with rubber bullets by Detroit police, and the case against the officer was dismissed in 2024.