The North

by John Bulmer

John Bulmer's superb photographs were taken at a time when the North was undergoing a vast transformation. The collapse of traditional industries that had been the wealth creators of the Industrial Revolution was deeply affecting communities throughout the region; from the Black Country and Potteries, through Greater Manchester up to the coalfields and shipyards of the North East and Glasgow. The hard times etched on the faces of John's subjects told of a life of struggle framed against an often bleak industrial background. These were the people forgotten as the 'Swinging Sixties' changed the cultural landscape. Ironically, the first photographs were taken in 1960, the year Coronation Street was first screened with its own take on Northern life. The drama o the screen, however, could never get close to the rawness of the monochrome images of Nelson, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington or Hartlepool. The launch of The Sunday Times magazine in 1962 was to propel John Bulmer's photography in a new direction. The sudden switch to colour caught out most photographers, who continued to shoot in black and white. John made the adjustment seamlessly and became one of the magazine's main contributors. Today, colour is taken for granted but, ay the time, it was a radical body of work and its publication here is in recognition of John's importance as a photo-journalist of the first rank.

Genres: Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bettie]

Bluecoat Press: John Bulmer's The North is our best-selling book. Out of print, it is being reprinted for July release. As a special offer, John has printed and signed a limited edition of 50 x 10"x8" prints of the cover to accompany signed copies of the book. Pre-order:
https://bluecoatpress.co.uk/product/t...

[Jane]

A stunning collection of photographs from the 1960s to 70s - from black and white to colour. They trace the people and places where the landscape - both physical and human - changed. Images of streets paved with cobblestone, washing hung between the terraces like bunting, reminded me of some of the streets in Burley, going up from Kirkstall Road and around Lumley Road where my grandparents lived. Definite danger of romanticising!

[Mike O'Brien]

Photos of grim honest beauty, John Bulmer is a true craftsman.

[Matthew Moss]

Brilliant book, Bulmer's photographs are fascinating and each section gives a little background on his aims and the article he originally took them for. There is also some technical information at the end of the book. It's a great collection of snap shots of a part of Britain which has changed dramatically.