Commented Peter Adams, “Writing this book has presented me with 500 of the best lectures I have ever attended”.
Such a self-centred comment, but Peter Adams has always been focused on what is important to him. Not in a destructive way, but he has a defined view of his world that makes him both passionate, eccentric and slightly obsessive.
Peter lives in Pulpit Hill Road. It seemed to be appropriately named. He sat opposite me in a comfortable lounge, a little threadbare, with a large glass coffee table between us. I imagined his collar was back to front. To our side was a wall of books, behind me iconic and valuable photographs (such as my favourite “Stravinski 1946” by Arnold Newman and a box portrait by Ruth Bernhard), and an overtly large oil painting of an elaborately ornate teacup in green. I felt like a parishioner about to receive a sermon on a shared theology.
His ‘Bible’, A Few of the Legends reveals a complicated tapestry of thoughts, lifestyles and experiences from an eclectic concoction of social photographers. Pictorial photographers are of minor interest to Peter’s human sensibilities and explains his interest and expertise as a portrait photographer.
In this book, just as endearing as his interviews are his thoughtful portraits. Photographed on a carefully composed armature, Peter’s message-laden portraits have an elegance and simplicity that reveal a deeper truth or comment. To my mind they are just as important a legacy as the photographers’ stories.
Peter Adams’ historic book A Few of the Legends is not only a wonderful collection of 300 of the world’s better photographers, but a portfolio of some of the finest portraits taken by an Australian photographer.
Read more as Peter explains the project and reveals some more of his incredible portraits in the current issue of Better Photography (Issue 107). Click on the link below to subscribe - plus you get immediate access to over 50 back issues full of super informative material and inspirational ideas! Use coupon code BP40 to get 40% off - just $29.88 for an annual subscription.