Black and White

I have mentioned , in a previous post, the prodigious talent of Jane Bown
The Grauniad has an interactive site/tribute to her work set out by decade.
Either it has been a bit unstable today, or my Firefox is on the Fritz.
However, I look forward to exploring it in the future and I hope it is going to be around for some time!

A Prodigious Talent

A trip to London and a visit to the Grauniad Newsroom which currently has an exhibition of the “Unknown Bown”, a photographer of Prodigious Talent.

I was convinced after seeing it that my memory only graduated to colour from black and white (as far as I know she only worked in this medium) after about 1965. The Gypsy Child, Maidstone ’61 is a real stunner. By-election, Rochdale, ’58, is an interesting storyboard of politics at the time. I think the name of the candidate on the leaflets carried by the people in the shot was Jack McCann. If it is possible go and see it. Be shocked at how parts of England in the 50’s and 60’s looked like a failed communist state.
If you’ve got it you can plough a singular furrow to great effect!

Visits to Hampstead Heath and Anglesey Abbey convinced me that, even if you have no talent, a dodgy, digital, daguerreoista, with a bog standard point and shoot can hardly fail in decently lit, autumn arborial surroundings.

And of course it was too tempting to miss a snapper snapped.

Apologies to the woman whoever she is.

Photographer Watch

A recent trip to the south coast and a visit to A's friends and relations produced a clutch of opportunities to point and snap at the wonder of nature. Perhaps it is because I will never produce wonderful snaps of my own that I take such delight in snapping big boy (and girl) snappers. And boy was this a big one!


A visit to Westonbirt Arboretum, along with half the population of Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire, gave a rare view of the species homo digitus cameraensis as well as fine autumn colour.

There seemed to be some disagreement about territorial rights; unfortunately the necessary man in the long white coat festooned in sweaters, floppy hats and sunglasses was nowhere to be seen.

Some of us just got a teeny bit over tired and emotional and decided to go for a cup of tea!

I'm sure anthropologist would have field trip in such circumstances. Maybe I should start a flickr photostream.
What is the collective noun for digital snappers?
Light Byte! Hmm.