Image
Albert James North collection
The collection consists of 133 photographs, 128 of which are by North, and 5 by an unknown photographer.
A selection of 79 photographs have been digitised.
Born in Dunedin on 26th August 1912, North and his family moved to Christchurch in the 1920s. He spent most of his working life in the city, and its people, parks, beaches, bridges and streets became the focus of his photographic work. North enlisted in the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force in 1940 and was captured in 1942. He spent the rest of the war interned as a prisoner of war, an experience which adversely affected his health, and resulted in him becoming a part-time photographer. After the war he found solace in his photographic studies, with Lyttelton Harbour becoming his favourite subject matter. North's nephew John Sullivan describes him as 'a perfectionist with a skill for developing wonderful tonal contrasts, particularly of clouds and ocean waves, during the print processing, long before computers came along'.
A selection of 79 photographs have been digitised.
Born in Dunedin on 26th August 1912, North and his family moved to Christchurch in the 1920s. He spent most of his working life in the city, and its people, parks, beaches, bridges and streets became the focus of his photographic work. North enlisted in the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force in 1940 and was captured in 1942. He spent the rest of the war interned as a prisoner of war, an experience which adversely affected his health, and resulted in him becoming a part-time photographer. After the war he found solace in his photographic studies, with Lyttelton Harbour becoming his favourite subject matter. North's nephew John Sullivan describes him as 'a perfectionist with a skill for developing wonderful tonal contrasts, particularly of clouds and ocean waves, during the print processing, long before computers came along'.
79
Albert James North collection
Alternative Title
Archive 978
Biographical Note
Born in Dunedin on 26th August 1912, North and his family moved to Christchurch in the 1920s. He spent most of his working life in the city, and its people, parks, beaches, bridges and streets became the focus of his photographic work. North enlisted in the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force in 1940 and was captured in 1942. He spent the rest of the war interned as a prisoner of war, an experience which adversely affected his health, and resulted in him becoming a part-time photographer. After the war he found solace in his photographic studies, with Lyttelton Harbour becoming his favourite subject matter. North's nephew John Sullivan describes him as 'a perfectionist with a skill for developing wonderful tonal contrasts, particularly of clouds and ocean waves, during the print processing, long before computers came along'.
Historical Note
Camera ownership was expensive in the early 20th century, and street photographers such as Albert James North made a living from photographing people at public events. He specialised in taking candid shots at Christmas parades, school fairs, the Agricultural & Pastoral show, and the beach. People would order copies, which he would then develop and print. Subjects include agricultural shows, bridges, botanic gardens, department stores, hotels, parades, pageants, parks, memorials, P-class yacht racing, shops, railways, royal visit, shipping.
Linked Agent
Photographer (pht): Albert James North
Donor (dnr): Albert James North
Member of
CCL:Format
Extent
1 item
Resource Type
