frednewman
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It saddens me to announce the Phil Davis passed away on Monday, July 2, 2007. Phil was best known as a photo instructor (Professor Emeritus of Art, University of Michigan), author and the inventor of the Beyond the Zone System (BTZS). Here is the obituary that his wife, Marty provided us. - Fred Newman
Phil Davis (1921- 2007}
Phil Davis died at his home in Webster Township on July 2, 2007. He was
born in Spokane, WA on October 15, 1921, the son of William B. and Mary
Augusta (Maples) Davis. The family moved to upstate New York when he was
twelve and after his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the
Army Air Force. He was commissioned in 1943 and served as a flight
instructor until his discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1945. He
graduated from Albright Art School in Buffalo, NY in 1948 and joined the
staff of the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design
as an instructor in design and drawing. From 1964 until his retirement,
he served as a Professor of Art in the University's School of Art,
teaching photography and drawing.
He received two Horace H. Rackham Foundation Grants, in 1967 for
investigation of historic photographic processes and in 1974 for further
investigation of non-silver processes. During those years, he also
worked as a freelance photographer in advertising illustration and
received numerous awards, medals and honorable mentions from the Detroit
Art Directors' Club and from similar organizations in New York and
Chicago.
As part of the University's Sesquicentennial celebration in 1967, Phil
conceived, produced and supervised installation of an exhibition of 264
photographs mounted on steel structures on the Rackham Mall between Hill
Auditorium and the Michigan League. A book of these photographs titled
"The University" was published by the University of Michigan Press. His
other publications included three textbooks, many magazine articles, a
limited edition of platinum prints made from noted cinematographer Karl
Struss's original glass negatives, and "The Dexter Portfolio", a limited
edition of mounted black and white prints. His work is represented in
numerous public and private collections, including those of the Detroit
Art Institute, Chicago Art Institute, International Museum of
Photography in Rochester, NY and the Museum of Modern Art in New York
City.
In addition to appearances as guest artist, juror and speaker at various
events, Phil conducted a series of workshops throughout the country in
his "Beyond the Zone System" method of producing photographs using
proven scientific testing methods which allow photographers to produce
superior photographs through a precise, working knowledge of their
chosen materials.
Phil retired as Professor Emeritus of Art in 1985 and in 1988 one of his
former students, Chicago architectural photographer Nick Merrick,
organized and curated "Phil Davis, Photographer: The Teacher and His
Students", an exhibit in the Paul Slusser Gallery of Phil's work and
that of 20 of his students.
He is survived by his wife Martha (DeLano), his sons Carl (Becky) of
Eaton Rapids MI and their children Anna-Lisette, Charlotte, Gretchen,
Philip and Lucy; Tim (Katy Robinson) of Byron Center MI; and Jon (Amy
Mattox) of Norcross GA; his sister Helen Beck Reimondo, her sons Tom and
Dave Beck and their families. In accordance with his wishes, cremation
has taken place and there will be no services. Memorial contributions
may be made to Hospice of Michigan or the Dexter District Library, 8040
Fourth Street, Dexter MI 48130.
Phil Davis (1921- 2007}
Phil Davis died at his home in Webster Township on July 2, 2007. He was
born in Spokane, WA on October 15, 1921, the son of William B. and Mary
Augusta (Maples) Davis. The family moved to upstate New York when he was
twelve and after his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the
Army Air Force. He was commissioned in 1943 and served as a flight
instructor until his discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1945. He
graduated from Albright Art School in Buffalo, NY in 1948 and joined the
staff of the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design
as an instructor in design and drawing. From 1964 until his retirement,
he served as a Professor of Art in the University's School of Art,
teaching photography and drawing.
He received two Horace H. Rackham Foundation Grants, in 1967 for
investigation of historic photographic processes and in 1974 for further
investigation of non-silver processes. During those years, he also
worked as a freelance photographer in advertising illustration and
received numerous awards, medals and honorable mentions from the Detroit
Art Directors' Club and from similar organizations in New York and
Chicago.
As part of the University's Sesquicentennial celebration in 1967, Phil
conceived, produced and supervised installation of an exhibition of 264
photographs mounted on steel structures on the Rackham Mall between Hill
Auditorium and the Michigan League. A book of these photographs titled
"The University" was published by the University of Michigan Press. His
other publications included three textbooks, many magazine articles, a
limited edition of platinum prints made from noted cinematographer Karl
Struss's original glass negatives, and "The Dexter Portfolio", a limited
edition of mounted black and white prints. His work is represented in
numerous public and private collections, including those of the Detroit
Art Institute, Chicago Art Institute, International Museum of
Photography in Rochester, NY and the Museum of Modern Art in New York
City.
In addition to appearances as guest artist, juror and speaker at various
events, Phil conducted a series of workshops throughout the country in
his "Beyond the Zone System" method of producing photographs using
proven scientific testing methods which allow photographers to produce
superior photographs through a precise, working knowledge of their
chosen materials.
Phil retired as Professor Emeritus of Art in 1985 and in 1988 one of his
former students, Chicago architectural photographer Nick Merrick,
organized and curated "Phil Davis, Photographer: The Teacher and His
Students", an exhibit in the Paul Slusser Gallery of Phil's work and
that of 20 of his students.
He is survived by his wife Martha (DeLano), his sons Carl (Becky) of
Eaton Rapids MI and their children Anna-Lisette, Charlotte, Gretchen,
Philip and Lucy; Tim (Katy Robinson) of Byron Center MI; and Jon (Amy
Mattox) of Norcross GA; his sister Helen Beck Reimondo, her sons Tom and
Dave Beck and their families. In accordance with his wishes, cremation
has taken place and there will be no services. Memorial contributions
may be made to Hospice of Michigan or the Dexter District Library, 8040
Fourth Street, Dexter MI 48130.
