Evocations of Place: The Photography of Edwin Smith - Softcover

Elwall, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1858946387 ISBN 13: 9781858946382

Publisher: Merrell Publishers, 2014

Synopsis

Hailed by the poet and architectural historian Sir John Betjeman as 'a genius at photography', Edwin Smith (1912 1971) was one of Britain’s foremost photographers. At the time of his death he was widely regarded as without peer in his sensitive renditions of historic architecture and his empathetic evocations of place. The recurrent themes of Smith’s work a concern for the fragility of the environment; an acute appreciation of the need to combat cultural homogenization by safeguarding regional diversity; and a conviction that architecture should be rooted in time and place are as pressing today as when Smith first framed them in his elegant compositions. By providing the first in-depth survey of his work, this book introduces Smith’s poignant imagery to a new generation.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Elwall (1953–2012) was Photographs Curator of the Royal Institute of British Architects, London.

Irena Murray is a Senior Research Associate of The British Architectural Library

From Booklist:

*Starred Review* This is an ardent work of revival. Elwall feels that Smith (1912–71) has been forgotten, and he marshals informative writing about photography as well as an ample selection of stunning images in Smith's cause. A painter first, Smith turned to photography to earn a living. He did a variety of subjects early on, including a striking series on workmen relaxing, but found his métier in architectural photography, thanks to the same series of English regional guides that brought writer John Betjeman to renown. What happened thereafter is well indicated by the chapter titles "Discovering Britain" and "Discovering Abroad." Smith preferred natural lighting and extremely evocative and expressive perspectives rather than the lamps and flashes for even illumination and the perpendicular angle of regard favored by photographers of modern architecture, in particular. Of course, Smith didn't photograph modern buildings, but instead old churches, cottages, garden and farm structures, and other premodernist vernacular architecture. His images are deeply and variously textured by the large palette of grays his methods, which Elwall engrossingly explains, obtained, but that only the most expensive printing techniques of the time did justice to in books. They couldn't be more beautiful. Olson, Ray

About this edition

• Publisher: Merrell Publishers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1858946387
• ISBN 13: 9781858946382
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 180