It seems more and more photography collections are being discovered only after the passing of the photographer. Here is part of a collection by Wal Richards, a man who could not read or write, but would ride his bicycle around Maryborough Australia and documented weddings of strangers from the 40s to the 90s.
No one knew why, and no one even saw the collection until after he passed away, but some people say these are the only photographs that exist of their wedding. One resident said "We didn't actually think he had a film in the camera, but he did ... and he captures the moment quite well," and I think that comes through in the photos.
Kind of like when a child has a toy camera and pretends to take your picture, you don't feel the need to look perfectly posed. The people in these photographs look completely natural.
what a fantastic find!! It reminds me that recently, I visited (again) the museum of "Art Brut" in Lausanne, Switzerland. Most of the works where discovered after the death of the artists. Many people were also hiding their work. It was truly fascinating! They all seemed to have a urge to express themselves through all kind of medias.
Truly fascinating! The pictures are actually amazing in the spontaneity and aliveness they capture. How sad he wasn't recognized in his own time, but it's lovely they've been found now! Thanks for sharing.
What a delightful blog you have -- I am enjoying reading it and now plan to surf about some more and perhaps find advice on how someone like me can do what I have always wanted to do -- wear hats. I have a ridiculously small face and all hats make me look just sort of tired.
Wow l'm kind of in shock about this as l used to live in Maryborough Australia and l was at some of these weddings! It was well known that Wal would show up to all weddings on his bike to take photographs and brides and grooms were more than happy to pose for him. His hands were shaky in later years but he never missed a wedding! He was a mysterious kind of character and l am just blown away by this collection!
I knew Wally's niece, Janice. She was one of the ones who catalogued and organised the first exhibition of his work. She said one of the best things about doing it all was hearing from people whose 'official' wedding photographs had been lost or destroyed and knowing that they could now have new 'unofficial' photographs to remember their special day. It was really lovely to hear all about it.
I would love to look through the collection my grandparents lived in Maryborough their entire lives and i would love to see if he had photos of their wedding, as i only have one. How is it that i live only an hour away and i never knew of Wal and these photos and you live on the other side of the world and stumble across it?
22 comments:
that's so cool and very romantic - esp. when those are some of the only photographs some couples have of their special day. what a great find!
-Meg
www.mrcandme.blog.com
Wow, he's a gifted man!
what a fantastic find!!
It reminds me that recently, I visited (again) the museum of "Art Brut" in Lausanne, Switzerland. Most of the works where discovered after the death of the artists. Many people were also hiding their work. It was truly fascinating! They all seemed to have a urge to express themselves through all kind of medias.
An amazing story........ simply beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing it.
how very interesting! thanks for sharing:)
That's such an interesting story, I want to know more about him now! And what beautiful brides!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Oh that is so sweet about the photographer and the fact some of these couples can see themselves after so many years thinking there were no photos.
Truly fascinating! The pictures are actually amazing in the spontaneity and aliveness they capture. How sad he wasn't recognized in his own time, but it's lovely they've been found now! Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing story, to think that this man's passion was capturing all the moments of a wedding. Beautiful.
How bizarre! It's sort of creepy yet beautiful at the same time.
i love how non-landscaped houses were back then.
These are adorable!!
I aodre old photos, especially wedding ones.
These are all taken at a lovely time in history. I find the older ones where no one smiles a bit scary.
What a delightful blog you have -- I am enjoying reading it and now plan to surf about some more and perhaps find advice on how someone like me can do what I have always wanted to do -- wear hats. I have a ridiculously small face and all hats make me look just sort of tired.
Cool wedding photos, too.
I could not possibly love this more ♥ TY for sharing!
Wow! What an amazing story!! Particularly as that is right near where my grandma lives - I'll have to ask if she'd heard of this rogue photographer!
These photos are gorgeous! I really like them. Happy people, beautiful smiles. A great atmosphere.
These such lovely photos, thank you for sharing I just came across your blog today :)
Wow l'm kind of in shock about this as l used to live in Maryborough Australia and l was at some of these weddings! It was well known that Wal would show up to all weddings on his bike to take photographs and brides and grooms were more than happy to pose for him. His hands were shaky in later years but he never missed a wedding! He was a mysterious kind of character and l am just blown away by this collection!
Leah X
Bell, what a small world! How neat you've seen him, I would love to just fly over there and see the entire collection! Glad you enjoy it!
xoxo
Solanah
I knew Wally's niece, Janice. She was one of the ones who catalogued and organised the first exhibition of his work. She said one of the best things about doing it all was hearing from people whose 'official' wedding photographs had been lost or destroyed and knowing that they could now have new 'unofficial' photographs to remember their special day. It was really lovely to hear all about it.
I would love to look through the collection my grandparents lived in Maryborough their entire lives and i would love to see if he had photos of their wedding, as i only have one. How is it that i live only an hour away and i never knew of Wal and these photos and you live on the other side of the world and stumble across it?
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