In Imperfect, his most significant book to date, photographer David George brings together some 200 unpublished photographs – striking night-time colour images, and fine monochrome photogravures using the century-old intaglio method. It is the culmination of eight years’ work, drawn from more than 4,000 images made while walking hundreds of miles over carefully planned routes along the major river corridors of North-East England.

Uniquely, George has deliberately relinquished control over the final outcome, accepting ‘imperfection’ as part of his process. The result is a body of work of exceptional power and subtlety: a memorable record of land shaped by industry. Images that invite us to think about our landscapes – and what they reveal about our society.

Raised in Middlesbrough, David George has worked for 45 years as a freelance photographer, exhibiting and publishing nationally and internationally. He teaches analogue and alternative-process photography at London Metropolitan University and lives and works in East London.

Imperfect is published by Edinburgh’s MuseumsEtc — an independent publisher for photography, social history and political books — next month. More info/preorder here.