Very good summary of one of my favourite photographs, Neil. I love the quotation about optimism too.
And thank you very much for the mention. Working with Chris Killip’s son to design the website was a highlight of 2023. They call it work - surrounding myself with his photo books for inspiration!!
Thanks for this reflection on Killip's work on the North East. My own favourite Killip book is Here Comes Everyone with his photos from the West if Ireland. The setting could not be more different - rural rather than urban, colour as well as black in white, but the same affection for people and their trust in him shines through.
It is fascinating to see quite how different his work is in other places and periods. I only realised recently that he spent so long in America but have not seen anything from that time.
Your articles are always a joy to read! Thoughtful, compact and always an inspiration for my own writing! Thank you. His photographs are incredibly moving. Along with your words and thoughts it is a brilliant read! Thank you!
Weirdly, despite having no formal education, he was hired by Harvard as a lecturer of photography. Don't think he took any photos in North America, but his North East of England photos are incredible
Man, a footnote! Love it. What is missing from most posts on substack I do declare. But again, a fantastic piece of yet another fantastic photographer. Filling in the many gaps in my knowledge
Hi Neil, Chris Killip may be the greatest UK photographer of the period. I admire the work and enjoy the images immensely. Thank you for showing some of his great images! I might suggest that the term 'revolution' is perhaps a misnomer. Revolution is when the masses rise against the institutions. This was the opposite, the tone-deaf Mrs. Thatcher imposing her will on the people with complete disregard for the consequences. The consequences for which we still pay.
Thanks Søren! You might be right that it is against the spirit of revolution but it certainly upended enough lives. In Glasgow, the local transport authority voted to reregulate the buses yesterday, 38 years after disastrously privatising them. These wounds will take years to heal.
Very good summary of one of my favourite photographs, Neil. I love the quotation about optimism too.
And thank you very much for the mention. Working with Chris Killip’s son to design the website was a highlight of 2023. They call it work - surrounding myself with his photo books for inspiration!!
Thank you, Andrew. I hadn’t realised it was one of yours until a couple of days ago when I recognised your company. Great work.
Thanks for this reflection on Killip's work on the North East. My own favourite Killip book is Here Comes Everyone with his photos from the West if Ireland. The setting could not be more different - rural rather than urban, colour as well as black in white, but the same affection for people and their trust in him shines through.
It is fascinating to see quite how different his work is in other places and periods. I only realised recently that he spent so long in America but have not seen anything from that time.
Your articles are always a joy to read! Thoughtful, compact and always an inspiration for my own writing! Thank you. His photographs are incredibly moving. Along with your words and thoughts it is a brilliant read! Thank you!
🥰🙏
A guy that good don't need no formal education!
I've never heard of this photographer, what an amazing eye
Weirdly, despite having no formal education, he was hired by Harvard as a lecturer of photography. Don't think he took any photos in North America, but his North East of England photos are incredible
An amazing photographer. Tish Murtha is another incredible documentary photographer worth checking out who covered the same themes at the same time.
Coincidentally, I am going to see the recent film made about her on Friday!
https://refractive.scot/event/fri-22nd-march-2024-the-wynd-centre-paisley-tish/
Nice! I wish I had the opportunity to see that here in the US
Possibly available to rent on iTunes https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/tish
Wow! Thanks. I didn’t even think to look there!
Excellent piece, incredible photographs. Thank you.
Thanks Wessie, much appreciated. With such photographs, it is writing on easy mode.
A really interesting article…. amazing photos
Great piece. Would love to know what kind of camera and lens he was using.
Thanks Mike! Good question. Apparently, he used a fairly bulky Linhof Master Technika.
https://photobookjournal.com/2016/03/19/chris-killip-in-flagrante-two/
https://njwv.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/chris-killip/
Man, a footnote! Love it. What is missing from most posts on substack I do declare. But again, a fantastic piece of yet another fantastic photographer. Filling in the many gaps in my knowledge
Thank you! Happy to hear it is bringing the news.
Middle Ages and the twentieth century intertwined.” - love this.
This is perhaps the most iconic image representing that idea: https://www.chriskillip.com/seacoal?itemId=8fr0cr68mf7ivncs27oehpb2xpgnwy so good
Hi Neil, Chris Killip may be the greatest UK photographer of the period. I admire the work and enjoy the images immensely. Thank you for showing some of his great images! I might suggest that the term 'revolution' is perhaps a misnomer. Revolution is when the masses rise against the institutions. This was the opposite, the tone-deaf Mrs. Thatcher imposing her will on the people with complete disregard for the consequences. The consequences for which we still pay.
Thanks Søren! You might be right that it is against the spirit of revolution but it certainly upended enough lives. In Glasgow, the local transport authority voted to reregulate the buses yesterday, 38 years after disastrously privatising them. These wounds will take years to heal.