Fay Godwin (1931-2005) was a German-British photographer known for her natural landscape photography.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Photo Analysis

The Remains of Elmet. Fay Godwin. 1979

KEYWORDS

Dark, Whimsical, Cold, Troubling

FORM

This photo is a landscape of sand dunes. The dunes themselves are very dark and imposing which is conflicting with my own experiences with sand dunes where dunes are though of as sunny and used by children to sled down. As far as the eye can see, this photo is surrounded by nature. Even as the dunes end they are enveloped by rolling fields emphasising a need for nature.The weather beaten and worn plank track insinuates that the dunes are well loved and visited regularly which gives the photo a whimsical and nostalgic aspect that contrasts with the dark and intimidating landscape. The sky is very foreboding and looks ready to thunder and rain any second. The photo seems to reflect ideas on the strength of nature.

CONTENT

The photo was released in conjunction with ‘The Remains of Elmet’ a collection of poems by author Ted Hugh’s. Elmet was the name of the British kingdom that is now part of Yorkshire. Godwin’s photos were taken in the historic region of Elmet in this area of barren dunes. At the time of the collections release Margaret Thatcher rose to power as British prime minister, beginning a series of strikes in response to Thatchers harsh approach to public workers. Those living up North such as Yorkshire were most drastically affected in the ‘Winter of Discontent’ The photo could reflect this feeling of hatred for the government and instead wanted to escape into nature.

PROCESS

As part of a poem collection, this photo was likely made in a dark room and then replicated for the anthology it was part of. To capture so much of the countryside Godwin probably stood on one of the highest dunes to get this photo. I believe that the photo was taken with just the natural light. I suspect that the photo was taken on a camera with a lens of 28mm-35mm as is typical for landscape photos.