Richard Learoyd

Richard Learoyd is a contemporary British photographer known for his black-and-white portraits and still-life photographs. His work is distinguished by its use of the camera obscura technique, which produces life-size, highly detailed images.

Biography of Richard Learoyd

Richard Learoyd was born in 1966 in Lancashire, England. His interest in photography began at the age of 15, following his participation in a pinhole photography workshop. He pursued formal education in photography, earning a degree in Fine Art Photography from the Glasgow School of Art in 1990, where he studied under American photographer Thomas Joshua Cooper.

In 1991, Learoyd gained recognition through an artist-in-residence position at the Scottish Ballet. From 1994 to 1999, he taught photography at Bournemouth and Poole College. In 2000, he moved to London and transitioned to a career as a commercial photographer. His distinctive work, created using a room-sized camera obscura, was first exhibited in London in 2007.

Richard Learoyd's Famous Works and Techniques

Richard Learoyd's notable works include his large-format, life-size portraits and still lifes, created using a custom-built camera obscura. This device exposes light directly onto photo-sensitive Ilfochrome paper, resulting in grain-free images with exceptional detail. His process also includes black-and-white gelatin silver contact prints, honoring traditional photography methods.

Richard Learoyd's Art Style

Learoyd's artistic style is marked by the use of a camera obscura, an ancient technique that allows him to create life-size images directly on photographic paper. His subjects range from still lifes and portraits to nudes, all characterized by an intimate atmosphere and meticulous attention to detail. His work captures the texture and nuance of his subjects with unparalleled clarity, emphasizing the beauty in simplicity.

Notable Exhibitions and Collections

Richard Learoyd's work has been recognized internationally, with his photographs included in the collections of major institutions such as The Getty, Tate, Centre Pompidou, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. His contribution to the field of photography continues to be celebrated through exhibitions at leading galleries and museums worldwide.