Evocations of Place: The Photography of Edwin Smith - Hardcover

Elwall, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1858943736 ISBN 13: 9781858943732

Publisher: Merrell Publishers, 2007

Synopsis

Looks at the works of the British photographer and includes 180 reproductions of his photographs highlighting architecture, landscapes, gardens, and interiors.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Elwall is Photographs Curator at the British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects, London.

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: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1858943736
• ISBN 13: 9781858943732
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176