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By Brian Liddy on

What do Scottish photographs look like? Part 1

Surely Scottish photography would be photographs by Scots, of Scots, in Scotland, wouldn’t it? But of course nothing is ever straightforward, so why should Scottish photography be any different?

What do Scottish photographs look like? Are they stuffed with tartan, heather and Highland cattle?

In case you’re wondering, I’m Scottish. I’m also lucky enough to work closely with an amazing collection of photographs here at the museum.

I’m looking forward to giving a talk at Impressions Gallery as part of their Feed Your Mind programme of lunchtime talks. I’ll be discussing the history of Scottish photography to complement the upcoming exhibition Beyond the Border: New Contemporary Photography from Scotland.

Scottish Photography 3
Man in Highland dress, c. 1865, Carte de visite portrait by W & D Downey, Science Museum Group collection

The talk will be an ideal opportunity to showcase Scottish photography from our collection.

I have to thank Impressions Gallery for asking me to give the talk in the first place, because it’s only now that I’ve started thinking about it that I realise I’ve always taken the notion of Scottish photography for granted. Surely Scottish photography would be photographs by Scots, of Scots, in Scotland, wouldn’t it? But of course nothing is ever straightforward, so why should Scottish photography be any different?

So, if you want to find out what a Scottish photograph truly does look like, you know what to do. Come to the talk at Impressions Gallery on 17 July 2014. I look forward to seeing you there.

1990-5036_11390
Iveraray Cross, c. 1865, Carte de visite portrait by W & D Downey, Science Museum Group collection

4 comments on “What do Scottish photographs look like? Part 1

  1. Enjoyed your post – ask the same question myself about New Zealand photography. Here at Te Papa (NZ’s National Museum) we have photographs made in Scotland and it strikes me that your selection above gives a stereotypical view of Scottish photography -link to some of ours imaged for online here:

    All the best for the talk.
    Lissa

  2. Thank you for your comment and good wishes, Lissa.
    I’m already working on the next blog post which will show surprising (atypical) examples of Scottish photography from the National Media Museum.
    I’m now going to follow your advice and look at examples of Scottish photography from your Collection. Will you be coming over for the talk at Impressions Gallery?
    Best wishes,
    Brian

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