Last week I went to see the exhibition at the Royal Collection that I found deeply moving for a number of reasons. It was the first time that I had seen the two photographers work exhibited side-by-side and it is a testament to both photographers of the quality of the work but of the men themselves. Ponting's work clearly the more creative of the two with its breath taking vistas and sensitive framing left me a with a feeling of awe and tragedy. It is impossible to look at these images without feeling a surge of loss for the mean captured on the paper. The most moving image of all was the photograph taken when they reached the South Pole realizing that they had been beaten to their prize. The look of absolute hopelessness and despondency in their eyes is haunting and profoundly moving.
It is on for another three weeks so you need to be quick. The impression of this work will stay with me for a long-time to come.
