Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Visited the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh again today, and was pleased to view an exhibition of photos of trees by George Paxton, a 19th-century amateur photograpger. The website gives the following info:
"The history of photography is closely bound up with the study of botany; many of the early pioneers of photography such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Anna Atkins used botanical subjects for their photographs and this continued throughout the Victorian period and into the early Twentieth century. George Paxton was a brewer and amateur photographer with a strong interest in photographing trees and his collection of some 650 glass plate negatives was donated to the garden by his grandson Ian Marshall some years ago. Initial cataloguing and research during the lst year has revealed the need to know more about the little-known Scottish photographer and his collection. Over sixty images (largely of trees) have been printed and are exhibited here for the first time - in the hope that this exhibition may stimulate interest in Paxton's work as a photographer and these images in particular, but also the ongoing conservation and research role of the Garden's library archive and its contribution to public understanding and enjoyment. "
I was really impressed with many of the images, especially the ones of twigs, branches, fruit, stylishly laid on table tops, in imitation of botanical drawings popular at the time. I'll start with afew of these images, which I photographed through glass frames, and also contribute some images I took of the exhibition space. I really loved being at this exhibition, and encourage anyone who can get to Edinburgh to attend.
"The history of photography is closely bound up with the study of botany; many of the early pioneers of photography such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Anna Atkins used botanical subjects for their photographs and this continued throughout the Victorian period and into the early Twentieth century. George Paxton was a brewer and amateur photographer with a strong interest in photographing trees and his collection of some 650 glass plate negatives was donated to the garden by his grandson Ian Marshall some years ago. Initial cataloguing and research during the lst year has revealed the need to know more about the little-known Scottish photographer and his collection. Over sixty images (largely of trees) have been printed and are exhibited here for the first time - in the hope that this exhibition may stimulate interest in Paxton's work as a photographer and these images in particular, but also the ongoing conservation and research role of the Garden's library archive and its contribution to public understanding and enjoyment. "
I was really impressed with many of the images, especially the ones of twigs, branches, fruit, stylishly laid on table tops, in imitation of botanical drawings popular at the time. I'll start with afew of these images, which I photographed through glass frames, and also contribute some images I took of the exhibition space. I really loved being at this exhibition, and encourage anyone who can get to Edinburgh to attend.
1.
Look at how beautiful, and somehow modern, Paxton's abstract awareness is:
Paxton 1ahc by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
2.
The tone of these apples is gorgeous, and I'm afraid my photo does not bring out their beauty:
Paxton Apples by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
3.
Here I used contrast to bring out the structure...
Paxton BerriesFC by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
4.
Exhibition Chair by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
5.
Here I was photgraphing one of Paxton's trees, when the sunlight broke through and illuminated Susan...
Susan Reflecting by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
6.
Windows by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
7.
Paxton Glass Case by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
8.
Paxton Exhibition by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
9.
staircase by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
10. Upstairs was an art exhibition of work by William McKeown (1962-2011) whose work is concerned with the subtle differences of daylight. Here's my tribute to him...
Art and Light by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
Look at how beautiful, and somehow modern, Paxton's abstract awareness is:
Paxton 1ahc by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
2.
The tone of these apples is gorgeous, and I'm afraid my photo does not bring out their beauty:
Paxton Apples by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
3.
Here I used contrast to bring out the structure...
Paxton BerriesFC by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
4.
Exhibition Chair by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
5.
Here I was photgraphing one of Paxton's trees, when the sunlight broke through and illuminated Susan...
Susan Reflecting by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
6.
Windows by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
7.
Paxton Glass Case by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
8.
Paxton Exhibition by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
9.
staircase by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
10. Upstairs was an art exhibition of work by William McKeown (1962-2011) whose work is concerned with the subtle differences of daylight. Here's my tribute to him...
Art and Light by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
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Rhona will be away for three weeks - the longest she has ever been away from us. So expect a lot of photies over the next few weeks as I try to find something to busy my mind with!
