stunsworth Posted January 5, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 5, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) My copy of the new book of photographs by the James Ravilious dropped through the letterbox today - Amazon.co.uk: An English Eye: The Photographs of James Ravilious: Books: Alan Bennett,Peter Hamilton,James Ravilious - and what a joy it is. There are some wonderful photographs in the book that come as close to summing up rural England as any I've seen. For the most part taken in a small part of Devon there's a real sense of place and time. There's an interesting discussion of his technique too. ISO 400 film pulled a stop to control contrast and the use of old uncoated Leica lenses (35/50mm Elmars, 28mm Hektor) on his M3 together with a VIOOH viewfinder having rejected modern Leica glass as too high in contrast for what he wanted to achieve. Given that he was using uncoated glass and shooting against against the light for many of his shots it's no surprise that he used lens hoods modified with tape to precisely control the light reaching the film. In summary, a wonderful book. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 5, 2008 Posted January 5, 2008 Hi stunsworth, Take a look here James Ravilious, a forgotten photographer?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gravastar Posted January 5, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 5, 2008 Steve, thanks for the heads up about the book - a must get. I remember James Ravillious had a set of photographs published in the original Leica Photographie series of books which left me with a lasting impression. Starting next week 7-12 Jan in London there is an exhibition of some of his work which I hope to see. Information: Future Exhibitions Images: Future Exhibitions Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 5, 2008 Share #3 Posted January 5, 2008 Thanks Steve, Mines on it way from Amazon. There is also an excellent DVD Narrated by Alan Bennett and Co-produced by Peter West, Banyak Films presents James Ravilious; A World in Photographs Narrated by, as Pete would say, 'im as dad was a butcher in Leeds. There's a good crop of Photo books out at the moment. I've also got Jane Bown Amazon.co.uk: The Unknown Bown: Books: Jane Bown,Luke Dodd,Mark Porter,Germaine Greer and Don McCullin Amazon.co.uk: In England: Books: Don McCullin So plenty of inspiration about! Best wishes Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted January 5, 2008 Bob, thanks for the links. those images are all in the book. I originally heard of Ravilious when the BBC broadcast a documentary about him and his photographs last year. There's a timelessness to the many of the images. But it's no sentimental view of an idyllic rural life in Devon, quite the opposite it shows life as being very hard at times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted January 5, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 5, 2008 Bob, thanks for the links. those images are all in the book. I originally heard of Ravilious when the BBC broadcast a documentary about him and his photographs last year. There's a timelessness to the many of the images. But it's no sentimental view of an idyllic rural life in Devon, quite the opposite it shows life as being very hard at times. I saw the BBC4 documentary "James Ravilious - A World In Pictures" and have a recording of this 30 min program. If anyone would like to see this PM me. James Ravilious: A World in Pictures Thu 15 Nov, 10:00 pm-10:30 pm 30mins "Alan Bennett tells the story of photographer James Ravilious, son of the artist Eric Ravilious, who over a 20 year period, from the 70s, took more than 80,000 photographs in the area around his North Devon home. This collection has become one of the most comprehensive and poignant archives in the country." Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidStone Posted January 5, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 5, 2008 James Ravilious has certainly not been forgotten, but it would seem that he's becoming more widely known. He's the photographer whose work I always turn back to whenever I start to think that I 'need' another lens. A great antidote to the 'when do we get the M9' school. His photographs are as 'straight' as you get. No tricks. An amazing documentation of a time and place. A great loss when he died. Spread the word. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted January 5, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) A great antidote to the 'when do we get the M9' school A similar thought went through my mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 5, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 5, 2008 I am going to the exhibition on Wednesday when I can get the pesky work out of the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 5, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 5, 2008 I am going to the exhibition on Wednesday when I can get the pesky work out of the way. That's a pity Andy - I'm going on Tuesday after seeing the pesky client! We could have met up for a coffee! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted January 5, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 5, 2008 That's a pity Andy - I'm going on Tuesday after seeing the pesky client! We could have met up for a coffee! And the bad news is..... I'm going on Tuesday too! Also hope to take in the exhibition at the Gruniad and buy a camera................. no, not an M8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 5, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 5, 2008 And the bad news is..... I'm going on Tuesday too! Also hope to take in the exhibition at the Gruniad and buy a camera................. no, not an M8. What sort of time Pete? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 6, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 6, 2008 I am going down on Tuesday afternoon (don't know what time yet), so if I get to town early enough, maybe I could get to the gallery before it closes Pete has my mobile number. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted January 6, 2008 Share #13 Posted January 6, 2008 What sort of time Pete? Train gets to Euston just before 13:00, I thought that I would walk across to the gallery, then to pied Bull Yard, then to Guradnia.......... wot time will you be free? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 6, 2008 Share #14 Posted January 6, 2008 Train gets to Euston just before 13:00, I thought that I would walk across to the gallery, then to pied Bull Yard, then to Guradnia.......... wot time will you be free? Pete I would probably aim to be at the Gallery about 1.30 to 2.00 ish but it depends on the time I finish with my client. I'll PM you with my mobile number. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted January 8, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 8, 2008 Since I couldn't find the gallery opening times on their website, I 'phoned them. Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm The Coningsby Gallery 30 Tottenham St. London W1T 4RJ Nearest tube station Goodge Street, Northern Line, 100 yards. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 8, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 8, 2008 I got to see this this afternoon (unfortunately, as my meeting ran late, missing the chance to meet up with Pete). It is well worth a visit. Some truly breathtaking pictures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 9, 2008 Share #17 Posted January 9, 2008 I got to go to the Private viewing last evening and had a long chat with his widow. A charming woman and an inspirational collection. A privilege to be there. I'm off to overexpose my film, and under-develop it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share #18 Posted January 9, 2008 I got to go to the Private viewing last evening and had a long chat with his widow. Lucky, lucky you. The book goes into a bit of details about his technique. The thing to bear in mind is that like HCB he had a deep dislike for images with a high contrast. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 9, 2008 Share #19 Posted January 9, 2008 I have a deep dislike for "sneaky" photographs. You won't find any sneaky shots in Ravilious's oeuvre. My photographic outlook has been been completely transformed by what I learned yesterday. From someone who died 7 years ago. Who used a 1950s camera, with 1930s lenses. 2008 will be different from 2007, without a doubt. I am now a man on a mission. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted January 10, 2008 Share #20 Posted January 10, 2008 Yeah it was a good gig, shame we 3 could not get together. Good to hear that you are on an Olde Worlde Mission Andy. I got that out of my system 30+ years ago when robbers took my stuff; looking back at my photos I probably never quite recovered from that. But..... tomorrow is another day...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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