Television and Photography

Have been watching the series by John Sergeant - Britain's First Photo Album in which he tried to capture the essence of the work of Francis Frith. The Frith photographs, which were taken by a team of photographers under the leadership of Frith, are outstanding allowing for the difficulties faced by the photographers in the late 19th Century. There is something quite magical about them seemingly capturing the atmosphere which takes the photographs out of the ordinary. In part it is the attraction of seeing places that you know as they were over 100 years ago but also the skill of the photographer in the way that the image is composed and presented. Such ability can be learnt but one wonders how long it is before the necessary thought processes become second nature.

The disappointment, for me, was the attempts by Sergeant. He decided, sometimes for good reason, not to take the 'same' image but tried to capture the same spirit. In nearly all cases he failed and his work suffered from the immediate comparison with his forebears. In some cases his work were little more than snapshots and poorly composed although he seemed pleased with them. This may be because, as common with all photographers, he remembered the emotions he felt at the time of taking the image rather than assessing the result in the cold light of day.

For me the attraction of the series was the work of Frith.

I also watched the David Suchet programme "People I have Shot". Here Suchet was following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather Jarche. He was a press photographer who covered most aspects of that particular discipline and the majority of his work would now be seen as part of the genre 'Social Documentary' although that is to pigeon hole work that crossed several artificial boundaries. I am not good with people and find social documentary photography difficult so seeing the work of someone who appeared totally at home in this type of work was a valuable opportunity.

Suchet also followed in his grandfather's footsteps indeed using a camera given to him by his grandfather. For me Suchet's work in many respects matched that of his more illustrious relative and clearly he has a talent for putting people at ease and getting the best shots. Maybe this has something to do with his own fame as a well known actor and he gained access that perhaps would have been denied to others. Whatever the reason he provided an excellent programme that provided an insight into the work of his grandfather and his own talent.

I thought that this was a very good programme from which I gained a great deal. I may still be unprepared to undertake social documentary work but at least now I know awhat can be achieved.