A Pioneer Takes Flight
This autumn, prepare to be captivated by the story of a true visionary. ‘Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer’, a major new exhibition opening at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait, celebrates the life and work of the man who redefined the art of aerial photography. With over 100 photographs and personal artefacts on display, this is the first comprehensive showcase dedicated to this maverick of the skies.
The Man Who Stood Up to Art
Born in 1879, Alfred Buckham was more than just a photographer; he was an adventurer whose canvas was the sky itself. After learning his craft as a photography teacher, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916. It was over Central Scotland, which became his “natural playground,” that he honed a technique as daring as it was unique. Buckham preferred to stand in the open cockpit of his biplane, his right leg tied to the seat for safety, leaning into the wind to capture his breathtaking shots.
His commitment came at a cost. Buckham survived a staggering nine aeroplane crashes, one of which caused a serious throat injury that ended his military career. Yet, his spirit remained unbroken. He once wrote, “I always stand up to make an exposure… and loop the loop; and indulge in other such delights, with perfect safety.” This fearless approach is palpable in every image he created.
Masterpieces from the Cockpit
The exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Buckham’s creative genius. A central highlight is his iconic image, Edinburgh, depicting a biplane soaring over the city’s skyline around 1920. For the first time, this beloved photograph will be displayed alongside the very camera and original glass negatives used to create it.
Other stunning works on show include dramatic views of the Wallace Monument in Stirling, the majestic Forth Bridge, a 1923 panorama of London, and spectacular shots of New York and the Andes from a 1931 journey across the Americas. His photographs not only document the pioneering aircraft of the era, like the Bristol Fighter and early airships, but also transform landscapes into enthralling works of art.
The Art of the “Darkroom Jigsaw”
Buckham was a technical innovator as well as a daredevil. The exhibition delves into his creative process, highlighting his masterful use of composite photography. In an age before digital manipulation, Buckham would painstakingly combine a “jigsaw” of multiple negatives to produce a single, seamless, and often more dramatic, final picture.
Louise Pearson, Curator of Photography at the National Galleries of Scotland, notes, “This enthralling image becomes even more intriguing when you learn that it is a darkroom jigsaw – a composite photograph made through a combination of technical skill and creative vision.”
A Lasting Legacy
Alfred Buckham’s work continues to inspire a sense of wonder and demonstrates the powerful intersection of art and adventure. His ability to find breathtaking composition in the chaos of early flight is a testament to his unique eye. For those inspired by his visionary perspective on the world below, I invite you to explore a modern take on structured beauty in my own collection of architectural photography, where the lines of human ambition are captured with a similar passion for form and light.
One Comment
Which of Alfred Buckham’s daring techniques or photographs do you find most inspiring, and do you think such risk-taking still has a place in modern photography?