Master Photographer – Peter Dombrovskis

May 3, 2011 • Tim Parkin

Gordon Splits

I found out about Peter Dombrovskis when I was on a large format photography course with Joe Cornish and David Ward. Joe had a couple of books by Peter and both of them became very popular ‘hand arounds’ whilst whilst we enjoyed the few rare moments of downtime on a very intense course.

Following the course I purchased my own copy of ‘Simply’ and was entranced by the photographs. Here was a photographer with a strong compositional sensibility that could create beautiful work even in the dullest conditions; in fact many of his skies are completely blown out – beautifully so. And if you have read my blog before now, you may have seen Joe talking about Peter Dombrovskis in one of my first videos which I’ve included at the end of this article.

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6 Responses

1. TB2012

   What an incredible set of photo’s – I particularly love the ‘giant kelp’ image for it’s wonderful lines.

   On May 4, 2011 at 6:02 pm • Reply
2. an old pup

   What an inspiring article! The “Ice and Alpenglow” & “Giant Kelp, Hasselborough Bay” are my particular favorites from the above, but I will certainly be looking for more of Peter’s work.

   On May 4, 2011 at 8:34 pm • Reply
3. adrianw

   Peter’s work is certainly outstanding. On a recent workshop in Tas with Richard White (noted for his splendid B&W work) we went to the Wilderness Gallery where there are several rooms each filled with the work of one photographer. Peter’s work was clearly outstanding and, in my view at least, way in front of everything else there. In particular, the prints had a subtlety and elegance to them and some of the others were brash. A little like comparing Chet Baker to Dizzy Gillespie, Tim.

   On May 5, 2011 at 3:20 am • Reply
4. Brian

   Peter Dombrovskis work is outstanding . What a great eye to see simplicity of a view having the makings of great image.

   On May 6, 2011 at 10:55 am • Reply
5. Nigel

   Thank you Tim and thank you Joe for introducing me to this collection of images from Peter Dombrovskis which take my breath away. I have kept coming back to them in the past week and the more I look, the more I want to keep looking. I feel Joe is spot-on when he writes “There is no apparent reference to him, the photographer. There is no intrusion of photographic technique, or self-conscious artiness, just a penetrating gaze.” It is so well put and Joe has put his finger on what, I feel, makes these images exceptional. This sublimation of the ego is perhaps an aspect of landscape photography which deserves further consideration and discussion.

   I like the format of the book review too. I see it was an early Tim Parkin production. More reviews like this to camera would be good if it were possible. For those who have not seen it already, it is also worth viewing the short video on the Gordon Splits from the Tasmanian Wilderness Society which features Peter Dombrovskis at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E9fM7nimYE

   And thank you Tim, Joe and others for all you have done with landscapegb.com. It goes from strength to strength. It is the Radio 3 of landscape photography magazines.

   I think I shall go and track down a copy of Simply.

   On May 16, 2011 at 8:20 pm • Reply
6. Tim Parkin

   Thanks Nigel – feedback like this is great reward for the work put in

   On May 16, 2011 at 8:23 pm • Reply