Heptonstall backlit, Yorkshire

Silver gelatin photograph entitled 'Heptonstall backlit' by Fay Godwin, 1978. Originally published in 'Remains of Elmet' (Faber & Faber, 1979), a collaboration with poet, Ted Hughes. Also published as a collectors edition in slipcase with 4 original photographs by Godwin (Rainbow Press, 1979). Republished in a revised and expanded version, 'Elmet' (Faber & Faber, 1994). Subsequently published in Land (Little, Brown & Co, 1985). This photograph is from the exhibition, Land, shown at the Serpentine Gallery, London, 1985. Fay Godwin was the 1986-1987 Bradford Fellow in Photography.

Silver gelatin photograph entitled 'Heptonstall backlit' by Fay Godwin, 1978. Originally published in 'Remains of Elmet' (Faber & Faber, 1979), a collaboration with poet, Ted Hughes.

Fay Godwin (1931 - 2005) is regarded as one of Britain's finest landscape photographers. She is known for her black and white photographs which reflect the diverse and changing nature of the British landscape and is seen as possessing a special ability to portray the essential characteristics of land, sea and sky.

Sensitive, subtly political and unsentimental, her work was published in several books, the most influential of which was Land in 1985. Land featured work taken over a ten year period and included many photographs taken whilst Godwin was in receipt of a major Arts Council grant, awarded in 1978.

This photograph, Heptonstall backlit, Yorkshire 1978, illustrates her masterful use of light and shade and striking compositional ability. This, along with a full range of mid-tones creates an evocative scene and emphasises the enormity of the Yorkshire landscape.