The Observer published its first Jane Bown photograph in December 1949, initiating a romance between Britain's oldest Sunday paper and one of the country's best-loved photographers. To coincide with the publication of Bown's definitive collection, Exposures, and her London exhibition, we've brought together all of Bown's work in this interactive guide.
It's interesting that in her older work none of her subjects are looking at the camera. Her photographs seem to be taken from the point of view of a 3rd party observer.
ReplyDeleteIn her later work, starting around the the 70's, you can see that she's moving towards a more direct first person style. More of her subjects are looking directly towards the camera, or it's clear that the event is the photograph.
I prefer the more recent pics. They seem far more interesting. The older ones just seem like documents of specific time and place.
Very observant, Sharktooth. Now that you mention it I also prefer the photographs of subjects looking at the camera.
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