David Cripps

David Cripps was one of the leading British photographers of his generation. His photographs of art and craft objects pushed the boundaries of documentation.

Born in 1938 in Fulham, London, he attended the Sir Christopher Wren School and then the London College of Printing in the mid-1950s. He was spotted while working for the Observer’s colour supplement, where he photographed fashion and still life subjects for its cover. His work then featured in Crafts Magazine, Sunday Times Magazine, the Crafts Council and Design Magazine. Other subjects included portrait photography, landscape, still life and flower studies.

Cripps’ interest in art and craft objects such as ceramics, glasswork and jewellery, led to his work on numerous artist monographs and catalogues. By emphasising an object’s form, colour and texture through the manipulation of light and shadow, he was able to provide it with a unique depth.