James Hunkin (b. 1958)

James Hunkin (b. 1958)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Born in Manchester, James Hunkin studied philosophy at Southampton University before starting to work as a photographer in 1990. In 1993 he began project at the Royal National Theatre which culminated in an exhibition and a book of portraits Changing Faces: A Decade at the Royal National Theatre. A further portrait project involved leading members of religious communities in Britain. The photographs were exhibited in schools and libraries and published in 1997 as Faces of Faith. In 1995 James Hunkin was commissioned by the Royal Academy to photograph Academicians, although the project chiefly ran from 1995 - 2001, some further portraits of new Members have been produced. With one or two early exceptions when a Nikon 35mm camera was used, almost all the portraits were taken on the same Hasselblad medium format camera with a negative size 6cm square. A standard 80mm lens was used with the Hasselblad. Early portraits used a 25 ASA Agfa film, now discontinued and subsequently a 100 ASA Agfapan film. From 1995-2001, printing paper was either Forte Polywarmtone or Kodak Ektalure. No extra toning was used. James Hunkin prefers to use available light so no extra lighting was used, most of the portraits were taken in the artist’s studios. He has worked for The Guardian, The Saturday Independent and various design groups. His work can also be seen at the National Portrait Gallery.