Jane Bown

Jane Bown born 1925, a British photographer. She was born in Dorset and has worked for the observer newspaper since 1949. She studied photography at Guildford school of arts where her portraits of the famous 20th and 21st centuries have received critical acclaim earning her an exhibition of her work in the National portrait gallery in London. Jane Bown started her photographic career 56 years ago. She works in black and white light using a forty year old camera to represent her work of portraits. 

Jane's approach to taking photographs is refreshing as she herself works quickly using only available light usually in black and white without any assitants. In 1985 she was awarded an MBE and  CBE for an outstanding contribution to photography.

Photographs are Jane's way of negotiating the world as much as taking them as a finished product. When she looks at somebody through the lens she feels intense love for them and recalls each and every image she has taken into context.

Below are photographs that Jane Bown produced:

Woodsman c.1950
I have chosen this photograph as it represents how Jane Bown has used the camera effectively to produce this close up image of an axe in a person's hand. She has used particular lighting and views to produce a photograph like this.

Sheep dog trails, Hyde Park London, 1958

Gypsy children, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 1966