John Blakemore is widely regarded as one of the leading photographers and darkroom printers of the century.
Born in Coventry in 1936, Blakemore discovered a passion for photography whilst on National Service in Libya in the 1950’s. Inspired by Edward Steichen’s Family of Man and childhood experience of wartime Britain, he set to learning darkroom skills in the military camp he was based in.
Following his return from National Service, Blakemore went on to photograph the postwar rebuild of his hometown before moving on to freelance work. Here he developed his renowned ability to photograph natural landscapes with black and white film, as well as the tulips that became a trademark of his work.
Blakemore moved to Derby in the 1970’s to lecture at the University of Derby, inspiring generations of photographers through his skills, knowledge and wit. He instilled a passion for darkroom techniques still found there today.
John Blakemore’s work has been exhibited world-wide and published in books including John Blakemore’s Black and White Photography Workshop and Inscape. He has been the recipient of the prestigious Fox Talbot Award of Photography, is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and an Emeritus Professor of the University of Derby.
