Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is traditionally thought of as visiting sacred sites, irregardless of genesis or tradition. I have chosen to expand that definition into a more personal and expansive concept. In the summer of 1987, I had the opportunity to spend a month in England.

For a photographer, Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire is the site of the true birthplace of photography. Here, in 1835, William Henry Fox-Talbot made the first negative, the ur negative from which photography as we practice it sprang. Talbot was, in my estimation, the first photographer as well. So, any pilgrimage by a photographer must begin there.

England was also the home of another photographer for whom I have a very great respect, Frederick Henry Evans. Naturally I had to visit the site where he made the photograph considered to be his masterpiece, Steps to the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral. I also had to visit the site of my favorite of his photographs, the attic at Kelmscott, William Morris’ country house.

Additionally, I have a great fondness for the Grail ledgend, so I had to visit Glastonbury, see King Arthur's grave and climb the Tor. These images are the record of my Pilgrimage.

Lawrence Jasud