HomeNews UpdateCafé Royal Books republishes five books by Chris Killip – a must for photographers!
Café Royal Books republishes five books by Chris Killip – a must for photographers!
July 9, 2024
Café Royal Books is an independent book publisher that publishes affordable photo books by some of the greatest photographers of all time, but equally provides a platform for some of the most underrated and invisible photographers.
The small, inexpensive monographs are now considered a staple of British photographic culture, featuring some of the most important social documentation ever produced in Britain and Ireland. One of the best photographers to document life in the 20th century UK is undoubtedly Chris Killip, and five of his Café Royal books have been reprinted due to popular demand.
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Askam-in-Furness 1982 (Photo credit: Chris Killip)
Chris Killip is known for his incredible work, including projects Sea coal, Skinningrove (recently published in a new book by Stanley / Barker) and Inflagrant which explored the lives of the working class on the poverty line in post-war Britain. Killip’s ability to insert himself into a community and document it from the inside led to him capturing authentic moments of human existence that linger long in the memory.
The five books that Café Royal Books is publishing in a second edition are Askam-in-Furness 1982, Huddersfield 1974, The Coast 1975–1981, Shipbuilding in Tyneside 1975–1976And Isle of Man TT Races 1971.
Among these books are some of Killip’s most intimate photographs. His ability to capture portraiture goes far beyond our usual understanding, as he combines portrait, documentary and reportage photography to capture an image of place and time.
Huddersfield 1974 (Photo credit: Chris Killip)
Huddersfield 1974 (Photo credit: Chris Killip)
Askam-in-Furness 1982 (Photo credit: Chris Killip)
Included in the reissues is his work on the 1971 Isle of Man TT races, a rare publication that includes historical documentation of the races and culture. Among the images are some of Killip’s best portraits, and it is a masterclass in environmental portraiture and composition – an invaluable resource for photographers who photograph people!
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The five books are available to order now direct from the Café Royal Books website for the incredibly low price of $9 / £6.70 / AU$13 each, or $40 / £30 / AU$60 for the five-book bundle. Additional postage costs apply.
These books are incredible introductions to 20th and 21st century British documentary photography, and there are some real hidden gems in the collection. And if for some reason you’re not familiar with Killip’s work, I really advise you to take a look, because he’s not just one of my absolute favorites, but one of the nation’s favorites!
You may also be interested in our guides to the best illustrated books, the best books on photography and the best books on portrait photography.