Perspective: Landscape

“Landscape” as a key element of Heritage Photography DAVID BRYSON

The Archaeology and Heritage Group in the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) is in many ways very distinctive as we can quite legitimately cover every other type of photography of the other groups, to a lesser or greater extent. What does make us distinctive though is our approach often addressed by our Chair, see Gwil’s latest rant, and what we photograph. This issue of Heritage Photography exemplifies this looking at aspects of “Landscape”. We cannot but be aware of landscape as a integral part of archaeology and heritage photography. The appearance of the landscape we live in has been determined by the continual historical changes and their effects. From vast and significant monuments and earthworks down to hedgerows and narrow country lanes. Archaeologist’s talk about the relationship between their excavations and the wider surrounds putting these into context. So as Archaeology and Heritage photographers we need to look beyond the buildings and fine details to look at the place of these in the landscape. This starts with the cover photograph taken by Paul Diette at a recent RPS workshop in Eastbourne, Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters guided by Mark Reeves, featuring the Beachy Head Lighthouse. Jim Souper’s photographs go further than the traditional views of the Island Stones of the Outer Hebrides to look at the juxtaposition of ancient, not so ancient, relatively recent and modern additions to the landscape. In this way we can see the landscape as living and ever changing.

Robert Galloway’s feature provides contrast in the landscape between the old and the very new as skyscrapers and tower blocks loom over the well preserved remains of Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. Similarly aerial views of the landscape, from regular contributor Eric Houlder, looks at the marks that previous generations have left on the landscape seen using false colour infrared film. Aspects of these issues were also covered from a wide range of personal perspectives in our Members’ Showcase which took place in October 2019 reported on by Mike Sasse. As Mike says in his report.

“Overall, the event demonstrated the diversity of members’ photographic interests and approaches to archaeology and heritage, but also the common interests and themes that bind the group together.”

Themes for the next two issues are: May 2020: “Alternative views of places of worship” I have noticed a lot of photographs on the facebook page for the group, now 47 strong, https://www. facebook.com/groups/rpsah/. Interestingly the nontraditional views often have a greater impact. So do submit an article or single images that show places of worship in a different light. September 2020: “Scientific and technical” An opportunity for many of our group who are working in “Archaeological and Heritage Photography” whether aerial kite photography, infrared or specialist techniques like Polynomial Texture Mapping (PTM) as well as simple ways to take great photographs of objects. Ideas for themes/issues for 2021 are very welcome. The aim is to have as many features and photographs ready in advance of the publication dates. Many contributors will have noticed that I am working through their submissions and whilst not everything can’t be published straightaway they are being published. If you have an idea for photographs or articles and photographs for the journal please contact me. heritage.editor@rps.org