Berwick-upon-Tweed's relationship with photography dates back to the medium's earliest days. A Pressphotoman piece on a fascinating new exhibition at the town's Granary Gallery revealing its many facets. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/27/t...

Another portrait by Sarah Partridge, W. & D. Downey's last photographer. Can you help identify its subjects?

An untitled beach scene by London society photographer Sarah Partridge (1868-1955). A Pressphotoman piece featuring new evidence identifying Miss Partridge as the final W. & D. Downey photographer. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/20/s...

Se están redescubriendo multitud de excelentes mujeres fotografas, importantes en la historia de su profesión. Como Sarah Partridge.

London society photographer Sarah Partridge (1868-1955) crossed paths with famous names throughout her career. A Pressphotoman piece on sharing commercial premises with a royal couturier and a celebrated actress. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/13/m...

London society photographer Sarah Partridge (1868-1955) crossed paths with famous names throughout her career. A Pressphotoman piece on sharing commercial premises with a royal couturier and a celebrated actress. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/13/m...

After filming Queen Victoria at Balmoral, J.J. & F. Downey of South Shields could hardly contain their excitement. Hence this newspaper ad for 'Downey's Living Photographs' that heralded a new era in mass media.

On 3rd October 1896, the first cinefilm featuring Queen Victoria was shot by royal photographers W. & D. Downey. A Pressphotoman piece on the Downey team from London and Tyneside that travelled to Balmoral and how the firm created history. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/06/a...

After filming Queen Victoria at Balmoral, J.J. & F. Downey of South Shields could hardly contain their excitement. Hence this newspaper ad for 'Downey's Living Photographs' that heralded a new era in mass media.

On 3rd October 1896, the first cinefilm featuring Queen Victoria was shot by royal photographers W. & D. Downey. A Pressphotoman piece on the Downey team from London and Tyneside that travelled to Balmoral and how the firm created history. pressphotoman.com/2025/10/06/a...

This chance find @keelrowbookshop.bsky.social in Whitley Bay prompted my latest photohistory blogpost ... Featuring the 'Pictorial Work' of Linked Ring member Viscount Maitland (1868-1931). Link below.

This chance find @keelrowbookshop.bsky.social in Whitley Bay prompted my latest photohistory blogpost ... Featuring the 'Pictorial Work' of Linked Ring member Viscount Maitland (1868-1931). Link below.

Photography as Art ... 'Sons of Temperance' by Pictorialist photographer Viscount Maitland (1868-1931). A Pressphotoman piece featuring examples of his work as a member of the celebrated Linked Ring Brotherhood. pressphotoman.com/2025/09/29/v...

Sad to hear of the death of the poet Tony Harrison (1937-2025), who grew up in the same area of Leeds as Mum's family. His poem 'V' caused quite a stir when it was broadcast on @channel4.bsky.social in the mid-1980s and our Bloodaxe Books copy will get a timely re-read this evening.

Saltwell Towers, Gateshead photographed by Matthew Auty (1850-1895) shortly before his sudden death. A Pressphotoman piece on his pioneering postcard views featuring Newcastle's neighbour across the River Tyne. pressphotoman.com/2025/09/22/g...

'Road to Holy Island' by J.R. Bainbridge (1891-1967). A Pressphotoman piece on its photographer and his part in the Shell Guide to Northumberland & Durham published in 1937. pressphotoman.com/2025/09/15/r...

'Road to Holy Island' by J.R. Bainbridge (1891-1967). A Pressphotoman piece on its photographer and his part in the Shell Guide to Northumberland & Durham published in 1937. pressphotoman.com/2025/09/15/r...

Here's JE Ellam's 1902 stereograph of Edward VII and his grandchildren that inspired his own portrait titled 'His Majesty'. The full story via the link below.

Is this a rare image of pioneering Fleet Street press photographer JE Ellam (1857-1920) portrayed in full Highland dress? A Pressphotoman piece on new evidence addressing that question supplied by fellow photohistorian @mikeyp1839.bsky.social pressphotoman.com/2025/09/08/m...

Our latest talk is now online ... 'World in a Suitcase: Canadian Stereographs from the Jack Brown Collection'. youtu.be/-0pWAHUvl5Q?... Or via the link in our bio.

Can you help locate Monck House where the Downey's were based in 1866 ...

In 1866, photographers W. & D. Downey opened a 'branch establishment' in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland. A Pressphotoman piece on their summer season there and how it led to a first commission from Queen Victoria. pressphotoman.com/2025/09/01/n...

Enjoying the Summer 2025 issue of 'Studies in Photography'. Looking forward to PhotoDalkeith starting this weekend (photo 2). And the 'Shifting Perspectives' conference in Edinburgh in November (photo 3) when I will be presenting new research on architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000).

Enjoying the Summer 2025 issue of 'Studies in Photography'. Looking forward to PhotoDalkeith starting this weekend (photo 2). And the 'Shifting Perspectives' conference in Edinburgh in November (photo 3) when I will be presenting new research on architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000).

'Miss Ward, the greatest of all Lady Divers' from an 1889 stereo by Underwood & Underwood. A Pressphotoman piece about where it was taken and how it became a big seller. pressphotoman.com/2025/08/25/m...

Another online talk has been added to our 2025 Programme. 'The Roaming Studio: The Itinerant Photographer in Berwick-upon-Tweed' on Tuesday 11th November (1900 GMT). Register and full details via link. events.rps.org/en/historica...

'Miss Ward, the greatest of all Lady Divers' from an 1889 stereo by Underwood & Underwood. A Pressphotoman piece about where it was taken and how it became a big seller. pressphotoman.com/2025/08/25/m...

Can you identify these locations on the River Thames photographed by William Tylar around 1896? Discover the answers in part 2 of a Pressphotoman piece about his photographic tour featured in a newly-discovered set of large prints pressphotoman.com/2025/08/18/t... Or via link in bio.

Check out the white horse and cart on the far riverbank with harvest in full swing.

Another online talk has been added to our 2025 Programme. 'Picture Post: A Twentieth Century Icon' on Thursday 2nd October (1900 BST). Register and full details via link. events.rps.org/en/g/z9tTjH8...

'Windsor Castle' around 1896 photographed by William Tylar of Aston, Birmingham. A Pressphotoman piece featuring another five prints from his River Thames series recently discovered at the National Archives, Kew. pressphotoman.com/2025/08/18/t...

Mrs. Barber, 'Dear Helen' to the late Biddy Baxter, still treasures the Blue Peter Competition Winner badge and signed letter she received in 1967.

'Mapledurham Mill' near Reading photographed by William Tylar around 1896. A Pressphotoman piece on his photographic tour along the River Thames featured in a newly-discovered set of large prints. pressphotoman.com/2025/08/11/t...

One of my favourite things about this photo is that Victoria gave it to John in a small gold frame. It always travelled with him. Part of the JB family archive until it was auctioned, and is now in the West Highland Museum, along with the Highland Ornaments Victoria had made for John in 1871.

Another photo from Downey's first Balmoral visit in 1866 is among my favourites of Queen Victoria .... with her dog Sharp. It is also featured in the @drfernriddell.bsky.social tv documentary.

Photos of Queen Victoria and her Highland servant John Brown by GW Wilson (left) and W. & D. Downey. A Pressphotoman piece on their appearance in @channel4.bsky.social documentary 'Queen Victoria: Secret Marriage? Secret Child?' pressphotoman.com/2025/08/04/v...

Bigg Market featuring Newcastle Town Hall and St. Nicholas Church beyond c. late 1860s. A Pressphotoman piece on the blacksmith turned bookseller who supplied such photos to a fascinated Victorian public. pressphotoman.com/2025/07/28/b...

Here's the Downey stereocard from which the photo came. More via the link below.

Bigg Market featuring Newcastle Town Hall and St. Nicholas Church beyond c. late 1860s. A Pressphotoman piece on the blacksmith turned bookseller who supplied such photos to a fascinated Victorian public. pressphotoman.com/2025/07/28/b...

A photographer in the NE seaside resort of Tynemouth launched his 'Promenade Carte' in 1882. Full details in my latest Pressphotoman post. Link below or via profile.

Photographers were on hand to capture our family's seaside holidays down the generations. A Pressphotoman piece on how one entrepreneurial operator invented the 'Prom Carte' in 1882. pressphotoman.com/2025/07/21/s...

This week in 1876, the Newcastle-Gateshead Swing Bridge spanning the River Tyne opened to river traffic. A Pressphotoman piece on a Realistic Travels 3D stereocard produced around 1920. Image: Right hand stereo half. pressphotoman.com/2025/07/14/s...

Looking forward to our latest 'Show and Tell' session sharing photohistory with fellow enthusiasts. Tuesday 15th July (1900-2000). Great opportunity to learn more about @rpshistgroup.bsky.social ... register via link. events.rps.org/en/g/z9tTjH8...

NEWLY DISCOVERED ... Antoni Gaudi's 'Facade of the Casa Battló, Barcelona' by architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000). Part of a group of mid-1960s colour images viewable in my latest blogpost. Link below or via profile.

'Houses in Burgos, Spain' by architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000). Taken in the mid-1960s for Oriel Press of Newcastle upon Tyne. A Pressphotoman piece on several newly-discovered examples of her colour photography. pressphotoman.com/2025/07/07/u...

Our July Newsletter is now available via the link in our profile. Including an illustrated report by Caitlin Greenwood of The Museum of North Craven Life about our recent visit to @tonyrichards.bsky.social wet plate photography studio

It's instructive to view this iconic @NPGLondon portrait with further knowledge about why William Bell Scott (left) wore a hat and wig. The reason why plus Scott's amazing artistic achievements in my latest Pressphotoman post.

A carte de visite portrait of artist William Bell Scott (1811-1890), known as the Northern Pre-Raphaelite, by W. & D. Downey. A Pressphotoman piece on his best-known paintings and how his physical appearance changed after their completion. pressphotoman.com/2025/06/30/w...

One of my favourite portrait photographs by W. & D. Downey of Newcastle upon Tyne. Taken a few months after opening its 9 Eldon Square studio and began advertising its new facilities and catalogue.

This week in 1863, a photoshoot took place in the garden of a house in Chelsea, London. A Pressphotoman piece on how it came about and the Victorian celebrities involved. pressphotoman.com/2025/06/23/c... Image credit: © National Portrait Gallery, London. Albumen carte de visite. NPG Ax38133.