The Photographs of
Alfred G BuckhamThe Man Behind The Camera
Alfred G. Buckham was a true pioneer in aviation photography.
His photographs of clouds, aircraft, landscapes and seascapes have received worldwide acclaim.
He produced some of the most outstanding aerial photographs of London, Scotland, New York, Central & South America, Egypt and others.
Proprietors of his photographs include the Getty Museum, the National Galleries of Scotland and the Royal Photographic Society. Examples of his work have been shown in many exhibitions, art galleries and can be found within many websites.
Alfred began his career as a photographer in 1905.
Within a few years he had won thirty-three awards for his work. He joined the Royal Photographic Society in 1913 and was elected a Fellow the same year. He went on to become a teacher and demonstrator of photographic techniques at Borough Polytechnic Technical Institute in London.
He worked in open aircraft, battling the elements with the associated problems of intense cold, enduring regular soakings and being sprayed with engine oil.
And if the elements were not enough, he had to operate within the confines and dangers of open planes whilst standing up to take such stunning photographs.
Capt Alfred Buckham in aircraft
His camera, constructed with collapsible bellows, required protection in the form of a home-made design of metal plates – without which permanent damage to the bellows would have resulted. And photographic plates had to be changed in the air – not an easy task!
He endured numerous plane crashes (9 in total), resulting in the loss of his voice box at the age of 39.
Although this made working at high altitudes even more challenging, not only for communicating with the pilot, but also made breathing more difficult.
Yet he continued to take the most incredible photographs.
