Jim Rice
http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/rice-jim
"Rice grew up in Deptford, Lewisham, an area he has since often photographed. His interest in photography began whilst at school. Rice recalled taking his first 'proper photograph' when he met the music icon Jimi Hendrix in the King's Road during the 1960s. This chance encounter influenced Rice to pursue photography, and this later flourished into a photographic career. In the 1970s Rice became assistant to fashion and beauty photographer Peter Deal. Working with Deal for two years influenced Rice's technique and love of the subject, particularly portraiture. In the early 1980s, Rice became a freelance photographer and continued to record life in London. He specialised in portraiture, magazine editorial, commercial and location work, and liked to undertake long-term photographic projects. His work in the 1980s covered subjects from National Front rallies to the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Between 1990 and 1993 Rice explored an extensive documentary project, recording the industrial area around Deptford Creek. Several businesses and Deptford Power Station were among buildings being demolished to make way for riverside redevelopment. Rice's award-winning project resulted in a book, an exhibition at the Museum of London and widespread coverage. Towards the end of the century, Rice carried out various projects including fulfilling a commission from the London Docklands Development Corporation and starting a project to document the 'Last Jews of Whitechapel'. Photographic work by Jim Rice is held in the National Portrait Gallery, Bibliothque National Paris and the Museum of London."
I found Jim Rice's book 'Deptford Creek' again at a book sale. his project stood out to me in the fact that he, like me, has documented the area in which he lived, the gritty underside and behind the scenes type of images which i feel hold so much more narrative and meaning, a glimpse into an unseen world. his use of portraiture and landscape/scenes give an overall atmosphere to the area and insight into the hardship and history of working there.
Deptford Creek book information:
Deptford Creek has been a working river for centuries and with the establishment of Henry VIII's Royal Dockyard in 1513, it became an important shipbuilding area and home to a growing number of factories and shipping companies. By the 18th century, Deptford was firmly established as a prosperous shipping parish. It was from Deptford that Elizabeth I set off to tackle the Armada and from where Sir Francis Drake set sail for his voyage round the world in 1577. Christopher Marlowe was murdered and is buried here, Tsar Peter the Great came incognito to learn shipbuilding skills here and Samuel Pepys was a long-term resident in the area. The Deptford Creek of today, however, quickly dispels any romantic view of the area. As the bulldozers move in, Jim Rice's photographs capture an image of Deptford Creek that will soon be lost. In 1990, Rice won the Ilford Photographer of the Year award for his work on Deptford Creek.
Deptford Creek book information:
Deptford Creek has been a working river for centuries and with the establishment of Henry VIII's Royal Dockyard in 1513, it became an important shipbuilding area and home to a growing number of factories and shipping companies. By the 18th century, Deptford was firmly established as a prosperous shipping parish. It was from Deptford that Elizabeth I set off to tackle the Armada and from where Sir Francis Drake set sail for his voyage round the world in 1577. Christopher Marlowe was murdered and is buried here, Tsar Peter the Great came incognito to learn shipbuilding skills here and Samuel Pepys was a long-term resident in the area. The Deptford Creek of today, however, quickly dispels any romantic view of the area. As the bulldozers move in, Jim Rice's photographs capture an image of Deptford Creek that will soon be lost. In 1990, Rice won the Ilford Photographer of the Year award for his work on Deptford Creek.
I found Jim Rice was referred to as part of my reading of 'Street Photography from Brassai to Cartier Bresson'.
from Rice's images i do believe we are reading the character and social status of the subject as they are shown in their place of work, we are seeing them through their overalls and dirt, i believe Rice's main aim was to capture the atmosphere and document the area not necessarily the individual but they help contextualise the scene.
from Rice's images i do believe we are reading the character and social status of the subject as they are shown in their place of work, we are seeing them through their overalls and dirt, i believe Rice's main aim was to capture the atmosphere and document the area not necessarily the individual but they help contextualise the scene.