A while ago one of you lot posted a post about an upcoming show by photographer Chris Killip.
When I find out who it was I’d like to take you aside and… shake your hand.
What a wonderful rabbit-hole.
From Chris to Graham Smith to Tish Murtha to Fay Godwin to Jane Bown
Leafing through Killips book, 1946 - 2020 - Youth on Wall, Jarrow, Tyneside - just floored me
By the by, the movie Tish is now available on various streamers. Enjoy
That goods good - thanks for the tip!
After 50yrs there’s something remarkable in Tish and Smiths photos. At the time they were taken they were just unremarkable everyday pictures of people and places familiar to the photographer.
Killip put in a bit more effort. He’d rent a room or caravan and live in the community he photographed for months at a time. Talk about commitment.
Godwins photo of an open empty moorland doesn’t just tell a story. Bottom of frame is a small barely noticeable wooden sign with the word ‘private’. That’s a whole thesis on land ownership, right to roam, class divisions…
Bown could knock out a banging portrait within 15mins of rocking up to the shoot. No lavish production, wardrobe, hair or make-up. Just careful use of window light (or a spare 100 watt bulb she carried in case light was bad)
Any photo or photographer move you enough to spew a few words?
