File 91 - Denis Thorpe

1 minidisc, 3 mini-DVCs, 1 file, 3 AIFF files and 1 WAV file (847.9 MB), 21 video files (8.33 GB)

Filmed interview with Denis Thorpe, photographer for the Guardian. Interview conducted by Martin Wainwright on 27 June 2001. Filming took place at the Lowry Centre where some of Denis's work was on display. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording and notes made after the interview.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Tracks 1-3
Test

Track 4
00.30 Discusses photograph, 'launching of rocket', from early collection, Daily Mail
01.30 Had to buy a Roleflex camera when he joined the national newspaper
02.07 How everybody had to wear ties at the Daily Mail
03.39 His father and grandfather worked in an iron factory
04.25 Discusses photograph, 'child waiting for diphtheria injection' for Picture Post
05.45 Discusses photograph, 'convent orphanage in Birmingham'
06.10 Discusses photograph, 'Manchester United's first football match after the Munich disaster'
07.00 Going to LS Lowry's house to photograph him painting
08.55 Photographing Lowry's possesions the day after he died
09.00 The City Gallery rebuilt Lowry's studio and rooms from these pictures

11.35 The Guardian wanted a colour front page for the launch of the magazine
18.45 Discusses photograph 'the first miner's shift when they lost their strike'
19.25 How he likes to have an open mind whilst on the job

21.45 Discusses photograph, 'horse fair and Northern Ireland photos'
24.30 Discusses photograph, 'school set up at Dewsbury' [Kirklees, West Yorkshire]
25.42 He likes shapes in pictures
26.05 Discusses photograph, 'Strangeways prison riot with helicopters overhead'

32.30 Discusses photograph, 'midwife at second daughters birth' used a join-up
36.40 How he uses light
39.45 Discusses photograph, 'steam trains going over bridge'

43.25 Waiting for the right light
48.20 Discusses photograph, 'old men at pier head'
49.20 Discusses photograph, 'the surreal'

50.18 Discusses photograph, 'fair craft'
50.45 Discusses photograph, 'miners, pickets and police playing football'
55.10 Discusses photograph, 'the quarry men' in Regent's Street
58.00 No laptop, no phone, just one £135 Roleflex and loads of film
59.16 Discusses photograph 'shepherd in Cumbria'

60.00 Discusses photograph, 'Hebden Bridge' waiting for the right light
61.35 Discusses photograph, 'ruined cottage'
62.42 Discusses photograph, 'shepherd'
64.45 Discusses photograph, 'steam train' looking into the light, why he wasn't on the train

Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository

Copyright: Guardian News & Media Ltd and Denis Thorpe