The head of department and senior tutor of my first 2 years of photography training was a huge fan of John Blakemore's work.
When it was time to move on from Further Education to Higher Education, I applied for and attended interviews for 2 Art College places, a degree course at Derby and a HND course in Bournemouth. The BA (Honours) interview was headed by no other than John Blakemore!
Unfortunately, my photography expertise at that time was more documentary and picturesque orientated, and I understood little about the art side of the artistic side of the practise. As such, I was not offered a place at Derby, but was accepted at Bournemouth, where I spend the next 12 months, before applying for another degree course, this time at West Surrey College of Art and Design, where I met my soul mate. But that's another story...
Anyway, I have always held a soft spot for John Blakemore, who was knowledgeable enough to see my inexperience at the time. Sadly, the great photographer recently passed away. Rest in peace. Your photographs will be continue to be cherished by the photography/art world into eternity.
And, on that note, look what the postie delivered this morning, signed by the great man himself too!
