Peter Donnelly

As If It Were Yesterday Peter Donnelly

Heartfelt mood entrenched imagery and poignant moments captured on film represent thedeterioration of the flag-posts of an era much forgotten - the canals and railways so integral topowering Birmingham's industrial revolution and the development of the UK. These photographs form part of a project Peter Donnelly started in 1962, when he won The DailyTelegraph photographic competition with a unique set of images taken in and aroundBirmingham & The Black Country, England. The judges included David Bailey, one of Britain'sbest known fashion photographers, Emil Buhrur editor of the Swiss magazine Camera, Ian Jameseditor of The Photography Year Book & George Rodger founder ofMagnum Photographers Agency. Real people, real trains, Real moments in time like the mongrel dog waiting patiently outsidethe pub for his master to finish his pint. All captured on a Pentakon F 35mm Camera usingKodachrome and Agfa 35mm film. Decaying vistas, time-worn monuments, or simply sublime snapshots in time - thisselection of imagery and verse is also history with a heart. This book represents the loveand respect between father and son, created by Simon Donnelly to honour his father'splans after he passed away. The describing verses accompanying the pictures wereadded by Peter in his later years as he looked back in retrospect.