Jane Bown, Photographer. RIP

[David Johnson]

Another of my heroes bit the dust a few days before Xmas.

Jane Bown spent most of her life working for the Observer where she took mainly black and white portraits of just about everyone.

I saw an exhibition of her large, black and white portraits at the Lowry in Manchester a few years back and it had some stunning stuff.

For those who are interested in black and white portraiture, this link has some classic shots such as Beckett, Mick Jagger and Bjork.



As it states in the link "Bown photographed the great and the good, the rich and the poor, the ordinary and extraordinary with a compassionate and gentle eye"

RIP

[Taffoski]

Excellent pictures David, will need to look into more of her work.

Thank you for sharing.

Cheers,

[Arginald Valleywater]

Stunning photos. The Lowry is very hit and miss but when good is very good indeed.

[David Johnson]

If you want to find out more about Jane Bown, there is an excellent DVD called Looking for the Light which is available from the Guardian/Observer, I think.

She used natural light wherever possible by positioning the "celeb" near windows and shot often at f2.8 at a 1/60s to get narrow depth of field.

Unlike the "celeb" photographers of today with their army of assistants with complicated lighting setups, Jane Bown would turn up with a wickerwork basket with her cameras and film and an anglepoise lamp if the natural light wasn't good enough!!

Worth a watch.

[Taffoski]

Thank you for the information David.

I have ordered and look forward to watching it.

I will let you know what I thought of it when I have seen it.

Regards,

Taffoski

[David Johnson]

Hope you enjoy it. I will feel a bit guilty if you don't!