I learned yesterday that James Ravilious passed a way two weeks ago. He had been sick of leukemia for a few years.

I'm not really up to the task to describe James Ravilious photography or his person so I hope some English photographers will contribute their thoughts and reflexions on these subjects.

For you who is unfamiliar with him he might be described as one of the most talented and sensitive photographers of English country life from the 1970's and forward. His main shooting grounds were the villages and country side of Devon in England which he photographed mainly in black & white (Tri-x) with his Leica range finder. He preferred lenses of previous generations with less contrast. I was impressed with his books when I found them and after that I found out that he lived in the village Chulmleigh, which is the neighbour village to a smaller village that I and my girlfriend visits during summers. Having spent time in this part of England, I was fascinated with the photographs that Ravilious had produced.

I recommend anyone with an interest in b&w images of down to earth people, English countryside, village life etc., pictures caught with great sence of timing, humour, and composition, to acquire some of his books. You will not be dissapointed.

As I wrote above, it would be nice to read the thoughts of others. Was James Ravilious a well known photographer in England? He should be!

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), October 15, 1999

Answers

I have just purchased his 1998 book 'An English Eye' in the Rural life Museum in Glastonbury. (One copy left there I think. And Amazon.co.uk can order for you.)

This features mostly shots of Devon rural village life between 1975 - 1995.

He is reasonably well known and a Google search yields some interesting stuff.

The book also contains a chapter with a few paragraphs about his choice of Leica M3 and uncoated lenses and home modified lens shade. (Plus light yellow filter)

The sample contact print shown in the book revealed his choice of film to include Ilford HP5 as well as the Tri-x you mention.

Check out the work of his (very well known) father, Eric Ravilious, a superb artist and engraver acive in the 1930s and 40s.

-- Trevor Hare (thare@emea.att.com), June 08, 2002.

More details of the book I mentioned above....

http://www.spelthorne.ac.uk/pm/lip/nov98/news2.htm

-- Trevor Hare (thare@emea.att.com), June 08, 2002.

And if you like James Ravilious, I think you will also like Chris Chapmans work in Devon especially this poignant exhibition of 28 prints showing the last days of Truelove Farm......

http://www.chrischapmanphotography.com/lastdm2.htm

Enjoy

-- Trevor Hare (thare@emea.att.com), June 08, 2002.

Thanks Trevor, I bought a book by Chris Chapman last year, which includes the pictures you linked to. Yes, Chapman is very good (and he's a good writer too, read about his relationship whith a donkey in the book).

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), June 10, 2002.

Hi again Peter. I have looked for the book you mention on amazon.co.uk but cannot find anything still available.

Can you tell me the title please? I can look for a used copy maybe.

Thanks

-- Trevor Hare (thare@emea.att.com), June 13, 2002.

Sorry for being late with the answer. The book is called Wild goose and riddon. It's a large and heavy book, the print quality is quite good.

Here is Chapmans homepage: http://www.chrischapmanphotography.com

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), June 19, 2002.

Thanks Peter.

I ordered and received the book yesterday. It was excellent.

Nice to see that it was dedicated to James Ravilious.

-- Trevor Hare (thare@emea.att.com), June 26, 2002.