And who is Jeannette Buckley? I'll tell you that in a minute but before I do let me confess that I am somewhat prone to issuing forth generalised pronouncements - oh, you've noticed! Happily most of them are short-lived because usually some wise-acre instantly proves me wrong. However, some of them pass scrutiny unopposed, perhaps because my friends and aquaintances, and even my enemies, simply can't be bothered to put me right. I am dimly aware of the occasional exchange of glances accompanied by some discrete eye-rolling as, usually around the port or brandy time, I give them the benefit of my opinion on this, that or the other. One of my favourites is "photography isn't art"; and that brings me to the attractive Ms. Jeannette Buckley.
Her brother Kevin left a comment here last night and as his name contained a link, out of curiosity I clicked on it. I was transported - I use the word deliberately - to his sister's photographic gallery called Temps Perdu Photography. I browsed - and I blushed - no, really, I did! - for my previous foolishness. Some of these photos are extraordinarily beautiful. I have tried to cut and paste one or two over here but the technology is quite beyond me, although that is, perhaps, a good thing because it means you will have to go over there to have look. I urge you to do so. Under the general heading of 'Sea', take a look at 'The Cob' which I assume is the one at Lyme Regis. Notice the way she gets the four elements into the composition, sky, sea, pebbled beach and man-made stonework, all perfectly balanced with the curve of the cob contrasting with the straight hoizontal lines of the seascape. That is a wonderful picture.
One of my complaints about photography is that it frequently appears to be accidental, although it must be admitted that sometimes it will capture an evocative and memorable image, particularly in war photography. However, for me, the 'accidental' part rules it out as art - and here I am conscious that I really should try and define what I mean by 'art' - perhaps I will save that for another day. Anyway, Ms. Buckley demonstrates that many of her creations - again I use the word deliberately - are anything but accidental. Click on the 'Captured Flowers' section and take a detailed look at 'Lines and Light I'. This is a terrific composition. The rounded bowl and the natural irregularities of the flowers contrast with the angled straight lines of the blinds and the shadows cast by the blinds. Simply superb!
So, OK, I was wrong - again! Who's surprised?
Not just lovely, but appealing to the man on the Clapham omnibus. Some of them would make very fine upmarket postcards, or secular Christmas cards. A friend of ours - a painter rather than a photographer - took that route and got both satisfaction and income from it.
Posted by: dearieme | Saturday, 26 November 2011 at 12:26
Thanks for that David, very much appreciated.
Posted by: Kevin B | Saturday, 26 November 2011 at 14:28
Positively my pleasure, Kevin, and if they get DM's approval they must be good!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 26 November 2011 at 15:04
Yes, these are really beautiful photographs. I often overlook photography, and then I get reminded of how wrong I am to do so by my pathetic inability to take a simple snap, or the work of a real artist like Jeannette.
DD, as for your readiness to be corrected. I have sent Jeannette's pictures to Deltoid, telling them that the "Sea" pictures are evidence of rising sea levels near Yeovil.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Saturday, 26 November 2011 at 15:30
Glug-glug-glug!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 26 November 2011 at 18:00
It was brilliant for an ingenue such as myself to read your critique this morning David and I was also very encouraged by the opinions of your bloggers and the consequent increase in site traffic. Thank you all so much. I hope to post new photographs in January.
Posted by: Jeannette Buckley | Sunday, 27 November 2011 at 12:26
Please let me know when.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 27 November 2011 at 12:34