The north

by John Bulmer

John Bulmer was one of the first photographers to adapt to the sudden change to using colour photography for editorial photojournalism and one of the first to be employed by the Sunday Times Magazine when it launched in 1962. The professional relationship secured him a 60-page-a-year contract and had him travel to around 100 different countries in more than a decade on the newspaper’s behalf. The magazine’s first cover featured a footballer photographed by Bulmer surrounded by pictures of Jean Shrimpton’s armpit, photographed by David Bailey. In 1965, the STM commissioned him to photograph the north of England.

John says, ‘The North had always been known for its cobbled streets and terraced houses, and became somewhat of a visual cliche.

The use of colour presented a considerable technical challenge, Colour reversal film was the only film sharp enough and the speed of Ektachrome X, which was the film I  primarily used was only 64 ASA and had poor latitude.

I felt that to shoot the North on a sunny Summer’s day would not create the atmosphere I was after, so chose to do the assignment in Winter. Because of the low light this meant shooting hand held with low shutter speeds. I never used a tripod, as I was keen to shoot in the “Decisive Moment” style, so I only used 35mm cameras and often used rain or fog to soften a distracting background.

I was surprised and happy with the reaction of the people I photographed, who welcomed me, and appreciated the fact that someone should take the trouble to come all the way North to photograph them.

As well as The Sunday Times assignment, I went North for a number of other magazines- shooting in black & white, and one last shoot in colour a few years later for the German Magazine GEO in the mid seventies.’

In 2012, Bluecoat Press published The North bringing together John’s work. Around 78 of the 224 pages feature colour photographs, the remainder in black and white. The book sold out and has become a collectors ‘must have.’ It’s to be reprinted, with a Kickstarter launched at Photo North by Colin Wilkinson of Image and Reality. A selection of Johns seminal work will also be exhibited alongside Simon hill’s, The North Revisited.

John continues, ‘I was amazed to find the North had kept much of its imagery and grateful to have enough work In colour to balance my book, The North between the two media. I look forward to seeing Simon Hill’s view of the North 60 years on and I look forward to seeing you all there. All the best, John.’

John and Simon will be in conversation 1.30pm on Saturday 12 April

John Bulmer Pictures courtesy of Popperfoto.