RNLI photography book goes on sale

Press release:
Images by Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer crew member and professional photographer, Nigel Millard, are showcased in a new book, Face to Face: Ocean Portraits. The book is a ‘visual exploration of people who have been inspired by the oceans’ and contains an outstanding collection of photos of iconic seafaring figures – including rare images from historic collections and modern images from leading maritime photographers.

Award-winning photographer, Nigel Millard, now a volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew member at Torbay, is well-known for his photography for the RNLI, and has captured the work of the lifesaving charity for the book. One of Nigel’s original RNLI portraits of Stewart 'tea-boy' Kirk, a crewman on Hoylake lifeboat and the last RNLI shore attendant, features on the front cover of Face to Face: Ocean Portraits.

Nigel’s contributions to the book also include numerous dramatic RNLI photos and modern portraits of iconic maritime figures, shot in locations across Europe and the USA, including Ben Ainslie, Bob Ballard, Lord Boyce, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Sylvia Earle, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and John Ridgway.

The modern portraits featured in the collection cover a range of characters, including lifeboat crews, famous skippers, swimmers, divers, rowers, naval veterans, scientists, conservationists, and those who work offshore – all of whom have some affinity with the sea.

The RNLI has, along with other maritime organisations and museums, provided content for the historic collection of photos at the start of the book from its archive.

The work of Rick Tomlinson, a leading yachting photographer and former RNLI volunteer crew member, who was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry in 1992 for saving the lives of two fishermen, is also featured in the book.

Eleanor Driscoll, RNLI Film and Image Manager, says: ‘This is a stunning collection, providing a fascinating insight into oceanographic photography past and present, as well as the lives and motivations of some of the world’s most iconic maritime figures. We were very pleased to contribute imagery from our archive, and, of course, we’re delighted to see both Nigel Millard and Rick Tomlinson’s work showcased as they truly are outstanding photographers.’

Face to Face: Ocean Portraits is by Dr Huw Lewis-Jones and includes an essay on pioneering oceanographic photography and a discussion about the challenges and rewards of photography at sea. It is published by Conway, priced £30 and is available from www.conwaypublishing.com