The secret photographer: Fifty years on, Robert Blomfield reveals street-life frames for the first time

Robert Blomfield self-portrait (Robert Blomfield)

A remarkable hidden archive of photos capturing street life in Scotland will finally go on display 50 years after they were taken.

Robert Blomfield, who celebrated his 80th birthday last month, moved from Leeds to Edinburgh to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1956, when he was 18.

He pursued his passion for photography and, over the next decade, spent his free time capturing life on the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The amateur photographer used a pair of Nikon F SLRs, shot mainly in black and white and did his own developing and printing in a makeshift darkroom set up in his student halls.

But a subsequent career in medicine took Robert to Newcastle, London and Wales, and saw his striking images stored away in cardboard boxes, unseen for decades beyond close friends and family.

“There weren’t many people doing street photography in Edinburgh then,” said Robert’s son Ed.

“His photos are like a time capsule and also have warmth and sometimes humour to them.

“He was torn over pursing medicine or photography for a while and but he hated being told what to shoot and at the same time felt a genuine calling to medicine.”

A stroke forced Robert to retire from medicine and put down his camera in 1999.

He still lives in his house in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, where he moved with wife Jane, and three sons, William, Edward and George in 1985.

Ten years ago, Jane, who passed away in 2011, started the huge task of cataloguing and digitising her husband’s photos, which number in the thousands.

Robert’s sons and his brother Johnny later continued the project and in November, The City Art Centre in Edinburgh will host the first-ever exhibition of Robert’s work.

“My mum always thought these pictures were special and wanted to get some recognition for them,” said Ed.

“Dad’s really chuffed about the exhibition and looking forward to going back to Edinburgh.”

The family is looking into ways to fund a photobook to accompany the exhibition.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair with limited use of his left side, Robert still takes photos when he can.

www.robertblomfield.co.uk

Here, he describes some of his favourite photos of Edinburgh.

The Student Union, Edinburgh (1964)

This was taken when I went for a coffee one morning in the Edinburgh University student union. I often went there to socialise. The morning sunlight was streaking through all the cigarette smoke and I just took the picture. I thought it looked a bit like a painting.

Children, India Place, Edinburgh (1965)

I used to like taking photos of kids because they’re lively and spontaneous and friendly (mostly!) when having their photo taken. They’re more natural in front of the camera than adults. Even in this shot, when they’re clearly posing a bit, they’re not as self-conscious.

Pram Walk, Edinburgh (1965)

I think this is rather a good one! There’s no sign of the parents, which was quite common back then – children often played in the street unsupervised. That’s probably my motor-scooter in the background (I called it Bella). I once took it to the top of Arthur’s Seat just for the fun of it – it was a bit of a stupid idea in hindsight, and I wouldn’t encourage anyone else to do it!

Dead Chickens, Edinburgh (1966)

This was just an irresistible shot. It was taken somewhere in the West End of Edinburgh, near the ladies finishing school if I remember correctly. The lady on the right had clearly clocked me taking the photo so I scuttled off before I ended up like the chickens!