Glaswegians PhotoArchive
The photographs in the Glaswegians Photo Archive were taken between July 1989 and early 1993 by people involved with the Cranhill Arts Project.
The idea was to document the lives of Glaswegians from our point-of-view - very much an insiders look at our city.
This simple idea grew into the biggest single documentary photography project ever undertaken in Scotland. In the run up to this time, through involvement with Cranhill Arts, a group of local people, had developed skills and experience in photography. Glaswegians PhotoArchive was a way we could contribute a document, a record and a testament to our city, our fellow citizens and for the future.
The photographs taken were widely exhibited in 1990 and 1991. Many participants have since gone on to work full-time as photographers.
Background
At the time, with Glasgow about to become European City of Culture, there was a lot of talk about what Glasgow was, where it was going, what was life like for Glaswegians. To us the city was its people so we set out to record their lives in a composite portrait.
Technical
Most of the pictures were taken with SLR cameras using both 35mm Black and White and Colour (negative) film. Some were taken using Medium format cameras again in monochrome and colour. Shooting, mainly with available light, 55 degrees north of the equator through the winter, meant having to use 'fast' very light sensitive films that can have quite coarse grain.
Photographers
About 22 people from Cranhill Arts, contributed at least one film to the project. Many contributed much, much more. The bulk of the images here were taken by: Charlie Crawford, Hugh Devlin, Margaret Anne Gahaghan, Liz Hodge, Alistair McCallum, Heather MacKenzie, Chris Nicoletti, Charlie Tracey and Ian Venart.
With access organised by and the exhibitions designed by Jane Carroll, Mary Cathcart, George Glen and Jamie Pettit.