David Potts (1926–2012)[1] was an Australian documentary photographer.[2] Potts worked with various fashion and commercial photographers. He left Australia in the 1950s to go to London where he worked as a photojournalist. Potts' photography work was considered distinctive with an unusual tone and sensitivity.[3]
David Potts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1926 - |
| Died | 2012 - |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Documentary photography |
Early life
editAfter finishing high school in 1944, Potts served in the Royal Australian Air Force. He later developed an interest in photography; in 1945, during the Repatriation Scheme, he trained to improve his skills.
Career
editPotts got practical experience at The University of Sydney.
Potts worked for Russell Roberts Pt Ltd, a commercial illustration studio, and worked with photographers such as Laurie Le Guay and John Nisbett. Potts captured photos of the Sydney scene with David Moore. Potts left Sydney in 1950 to work in photojournalism in London. Potts worked with Israel and Cyprus while working with Life Magazine, The Observer and Picture Post.[4]
In 1955, Potts returned to Sydney while continuing to work for Life Magazine. He formed a group, "The Six Photographers" in 1954, to discuss and criticize the work of its members. They held an exhibition in Sydney where they reasserted the importance of subject matter rather than pure style. The exhibition stressed the need to make spontaneous and personal recordings of observed entities and human behavior' as opposed to the slickness of commercial work.[5]
Since 1960-65 Potts has owned and operated his own studio in Sydney and has continued to live in Sydney working on his own photograph, however, Potts has been inactive in the professional industry of photography.
Potts became well known in London for photographing cat shows and Israel. Some of Potts' most famous work were of Judges of Cat Shows and in Cyprus.[6]
Works
edit- 1953–Nicosia, Cyprus, 1953, Black and White.[7]
- 1953–Piccadilly Circus, 1953, Colour.[8]
- 1960–Andrew Sibley, Sydney Painter[9]
References
edit- ^ "David Potts 1926". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ Newton, Gael (1988). Shades of Light. Canberra: Australian National Gallery. p. 128. ISBN 0642081522.
- ^ McFarlane, Robert. "Colourful chronicler of life". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ Newton, Gael (1980). Silver and Grey. Sydney: Angus and Roberts. ISBN 0207141096.
- ^ Newton, Gael (1980). Silver and Grey. Sydney: Angus and Roberts. ISBN 0207141096.
- ^ McFarlane, Robert. "Colourful chronicler of life". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ "Nicosia Cyprus By David Potts". Art Gallery New South Wales. Art Gallery New South Wales.
- ^ "Piccadilly Circus By David Potts". Art Gallery New South Wales. Art Gallery New South Wales.
- ^ "Andrew Sibley". National Portrait Gallery. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
