Peter Gowland

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 2, 2005

Check out this page of personal photos by Peter Gowland--

http://www.petergowland.com/Glamour0002.html

Mostly different from his glamour style, these seem like informal snapshots that over time have turned into a documentary photo essay about Will Rogers State Beach in the 1970s. Some have a Weegee sensibility, some are a bit like the classic Soviet athletic photos, and some very identifiably Gowland. I like them.

blansky · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks David, that was great. It's nice to see his "other" work. Quite a departure from the Rigid calendars.

I always have as strange feeling when I look at crowd pictures and know that all the people in them are all dead now or probably very old.

Michael

SuzanneR · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks for the link! I'm not familiar with his work, but having grown up in L.A., and spent many hours at those beaches... it brought me right back to myc childhood! There's some great stuff in there!

BTW, that last photograph with the volleyball courts... that beach is considerably wider now. The water looks so close to PCH in this photograph, and now you'd need a much wider lens to get PCH and the water in the same frame!

Thanks again!!!

Jim Chinn · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks for the link David. I especially like the shots of the crowds and athletic type activities.

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 2, 2005

For those not familiar with Gowland, he's mostly known for the classic _Playboy_ style of glamour photography and the Rigid Tool calendar. If you go back to the main page, there are various portfolios and a bio. I was actually just looking for info on parts for my 8x10" Gowland PocketView.

I think on the bio page there are some pictures of the rooftop studio he built when he was younger, with a stage on a huge lazy susan so it could be turned toward the sun.

garryl · Jun 2, 2005

Heck of a nice guy to correspond with too. Back when Verichrome when missing I E-mailed him. Had a good brief discussion. Hope to read his autobiography when it comes out in book form. Supposed to have more than the online posting.
David, don't you just wish you could afford one of his 8x10 TLRs?

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 2, 2005

I think Lens and Repro had an 8x10" Gowlandflex for a while priced at $6K. It's the gym membership that really boosts the price, though.

MattCarey · Jun 2, 2005

David A. Goldfarb said:
For those not familiar with Gowland, he's mostly known for the classic _Playboy_ style of glamour photography and the Rigid Tool calendar. If you go back to the main page, there are various portfolios and a bio. I was actually just looking for info on parts for my 8x10" Gowland PocketView.

I think on the bio page there are some pictures of the rooftop studio he built when he was younger, with a stage on a huge lazy susan so it could be turned toward the sun.

Somewhere on his site there is a great picture of him in WWII with a mini-speed graphic.

I worked for a printer when I was a kid. He printed up catalogues of his stock photos for Gowland, and he gave me the last few he had. I enjoyed them for their artistry...I wish I had been smart enough to keep those.

Matt

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 2, 2005

I mentioned this thread in an e-mail to Peter Gowland along with an inquiry about some camera parts, and he said he was very happy to read the comments here. He also mentioned that he's turning 90 and for the first time in 40 years turned down the Rigid Tool calendar job. He also writes--

I remember receiving $100, for my first center fold
Playmate, and going to Hef's home to watch Playmate
of the Year, accepting a $100,000 check and an Italian
sport car. How things have changed!

Alex Hawley · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks David. That was a good respite from the afternoon routine. I think Gowland is an all-around class act. And yes, I would love to have one of his Large Format TLRs.

BradS · Jun 2, 2005

David A. Goldfarb said:
I mentioned this thread in an e-mail to Peter Gowland along with an inquiry about some camera parts, and he said he was very happy to read the comments here. He also mentioned that he's turning 90 and for the first time in 40 years turned down the Rigid Tool calendar job. He also writes--

Peter Gowland is 90...??? Wow! I've always admired both his photography and his cameras. I too would love to get my hands on a Gowlandflex or, even one of his 4x5 pocket views. Good stuff. Thanks for the link David.

noblebeast · Jun 2, 2005

When I was a teenage photography student (in the 70's) I wanted to grow up to be Peter Gowland - mainly so I could meet the models. Yep, THAT worked out real well for me. I still enjoy his work more than any of the modern photographers that show more and say less. I guess I'm just an old fashioned boy...

Joe

garryl · Jun 3, 2005

noblebeast said:
I guess I'm just an old fashioned boy...
Joe

There's a lot of us still out here.
Remember when nude and glamour used to have mystery and tittilation- before Hustler?

True they have gotten more honest (airbrushless), but the "in your face" crotch
shots loose appeal after their novelty wears thin.

So he's 90, healthy, and still shooting beautiful naked women? Lucky Bastard

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