Excellent summary of Thomas Cooper’s recent talk in Newcastle upon Tyne and his approach to photography. Gerry Badger has recently summarised Cooper’s position in world photography and places him very very high indeed. Personally I find his work hugely inspirational too and his black and white prints are as good as any I’ve seen. Seek out his work in the many bookworks he has done but, if possible, also see the original silver prints. At their best Cooper’s prints carry a strong visceral and emotional charge. A blend of strong and resonant content and superb print quality that is rare. He is up there with my favourite photographers and printmakers such as Edward Weston, Alan Ross, John Blakemore and Paul Caponigro.

Colin Dixon