‘People I Have Shot’ - James Jarché - a video - review by David Askham (2024)
01st November 2024
In: News, Short Stories
I recently watched a remarkable film on YouTube, first broadcast by ITV in 2012. I had missed the earlier opportunity and am grateful for YouTube repeating it twelve years later. The film featured Leica photographer/actor David Suchet, although the main focus was not on him, but on his late grandfather James (Jimmy) Jarché (1890-1965).
Now James Jarché, a famous press photographer in his day, is a not a name likely to be known by younger members of the Leica Fellowship; but for those who grew up in the 1940s might just remember Jarché’s work in Picture Post, the Weekly Illustrated, Life and other contemporary publications. Such publications were extremely popular, but relied on a regular supply of the very best of illustrative or journalistic photography. James Jarché was one of the main contributors to these heavily illustrated publications long before television became the medium of choice for news as Britain became slowly more affluent.
James Jarché introduced his grandson, David Suchet to photography. even presenting him with his first camera and kindling David's life-long passion for Leica photography. In the film of 2012, David Suchet decides to visit locations featured by his grandfather many years ago, and produce his own modern version, using a Leica camera just like his grandfather had done many years before. It called for some considerable detective work. Hercule Poirot would assist him, I am sure.
One of his first projects was to revisit a Welsh mining community to find and photo the exact locations used by Jarché in an earlier feature article. David Suchet soon discovered that he could not escape his own fame as an actor. But, the Welsh people were very helpful and soon warmed to his ambitious project. At the time of the ITV filming, one coal mine was still working, a lucky coincidence. And, of course, there is a Welsh male-voice choir to tug at your heart-strings.
I will not spoil your pleasure by revealing any more of the film, but I would like to highlight the value of visual storytelling. I believe that a successful photograph should engage the viewer; it should tell a story or at the very least, arouse their curiosity and suggest further questions. That is rather easier with a sequence of linked pictures on a specific theme. That is what early press photographers did in abundance. If you can find old copies of Picture Post or Weekly Illustrated, you will see exactly what I mean. In them, famous photographers and contemporary writers teamed up and formed a valuable partnership. Public broadcasting by television essentially killed that popular genre of photography.
In 2019, David Suchet's own autobiography was published and proved to be popular among Leica loyalists. I can whole-heartedly recommend it, on several levels. But first, I suggest you enjoy the documentary here:
https://youtu.be/Y5tEYaVGkcc?si=V1NQkWF_31UizYPQ
Webmaster's Comment
Thank you David for this article. A note to members, you should receive the newsletter soon if you haven't already.
Now James Jarché, a famous press photographer in his day, is a not a name likely to be known by younger members of the Leica Fellowship; but for those who grew up in the 1940s might just remember Jarché’s work in Picture Post, the Weekly Illustrated, Life and other contemporary publications. Such publications were extremely popular, but relied on a regular supply of the very best of illustrative or journalistic photography. James Jarché was one of the main contributors to these heavily illustrated publications long before television became the medium of choice for news as Britain became slowly more affluent.
James Jarché introduced his grandson, David Suchet to photography. even presenting him with his first camera and kindling David's life-long passion for Leica photography. In the film of 2012, David Suchet decides to visit locations featured by his grandfather many years ago, and produce his own modern version, using a Leica camera just like his grandfather had done many years before. It called for some considerable detective work. Hercule Poirot would assist him, I am sure.
One of his first projects was to revisit a Welsh mining community to find and photo the exact locations used by Jarché in an earlier feature article. David Suchet soon discovered that he could not escape his own fame as an actor. But, the Welsh people were very helpful and soon warmed to his ambitious project. At the time of the ITV filming, one coal mine was still working, a lucky coincidence. And, of course, there is a Welsh male-voice choir to tug at your heart-strings.
I will not spoil your pleasure by revealing any more of the film, but I would like to highlight the value of visual storytelling. I believe that a successful photograph should engage the viewer; it should tell a story or at the very least, arouse their curiosity and suggest further questions. That is rather easier with a sequence of linked pictures on a specific theme. That is what early press photographers did in abundance. If you can find old copies of Picture Post or Weekly Illustrated, you will see exactly what I mean. In them, famous photographers and contemporary writers teamed up and formed a valuable partnership. Public broadcasting by television essentially killed that popular genre of photography.
In 2019, David Suchet's own autobiography was published and proved to be popular among Leica loyalists. I can whole-heartedly recommend it, on several levels. But first, I suggest you enjoy the documentary here:
https://youtu.be/Y5tEYaVGkcc?si=V1NQkWF_31UizYPQ
POSTSCRIPT
There is now an extended version of this article, commissioned by Macfilos, which can be seen here: https://www.macfilos.com/2025/02/21/james-jarche-a-largely-forgotten-former-london-fleet-street-press-photographer
There is now an extended version of this article, commissioned by Macfilos, which can be seen here: https://www.macfilos.com/2025/02/21/james-jarche-a-largely-forgotten-former-london-fleet-street-press-photographer
Webmaster's Comment
Thank you David for this article. A note to members, you should receive the newsletter soon if you haven't already.
Comments
By Keith Walker: Thank you David for letting us know where we can find this interesting documentary. I can remember watching when originally shown but had forgotten it.
I can also endorse Davids recommendation of the book. A good read, but quite sad in relation to his upbringing as the son of a successful surgeon.
David Suchet is of course President of The Leica Society and attends most meetings.
Fellowship members who have visited Leica London and know Robin Sinha may be interested to know he took the portraits that feature on the cover and in the book. By Keith Walker: I cannot let Davids superb image pass without comment. M3 with 'Rigid' Summicron 50mm is IMHO the most attractive M / Lens combo. The Kodachrome box sets it off a treat! Well done! By David Askham: Thank you, Keith. I do agree. It is a classic combination. I still use the lens occasionally, and it continues to amaze me. And thanks for your kind comments on my picture. It was borne out of desperation. Attempting to gain approval would have delayed publication of the video link. Hence my improvisation. By Don Morley: I hate to question David's summary but as a former Fleet St photographer myself who knew Jimmy Jarche I have to say or ask, are you sure Jimmy ever worked for Picture Post? Certainly I cannot remember him doing so? Illustrated Maybe? By David Askham: Don, thank you for your interest in my last article. I hope you enjoyed the ITV video on James Jarche as well. You question whether I have proof that Jimmy actually had work published in Picture Post. No I don't, but in my mind I remember a small cadre of fine photographers whose work regularly populated the pages of such typical pictorial news periodicals as News Illustrated, Picture Post and Life magazine, apart from a range of daily newspapers. I learned that Jimmy worked for several publishers at various times. His prolific output was in constant demand and he was very good at his job. In his later years, after his retirement, Jimmy was much in demand as a club speaker, sponsored by Ilford films, I believe. I have a vague memory of him visiting my very first photographic club when I was a teenager. Happy days!