Peter Gowland 1916-2010

[Ed Shapiro]

Peter Gowland (born April 3, 1916 in Los Angeles, California, died. March 17, 2010) was a famous glamor photographer. He was the son of Gibson Gowland and Sylvia Andrew, both actors. He acted in at least 12 films, mostly uncredited. He had a small part in Citizen Kane.
He was also known for designing and building his own studio equipment. Gowland developed several large-format camera designs.

Peter was a friend, a teacher and a photographer of the highest caliber. I started reading his books as a teenager and met him when I was studying with Joseph Zeltsman. Joe had purchased 2 of Peter's famed Gowlandflexes and when Peter came to one of Joe's seminars, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Peter.

We communicated many times over the years and Peter was allways generous with his teachings. I think that even his earliest books are required reading for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in glamor or theatrical photographer.

Peter worked closely with his lovely wife Alice who assisted him on all his shoots and took care of the business end of things.

Peter was a fine guy, as honest as the day is long and allways ethical- his work was allways in good taste and he allways treated his models with the utmost respect and professionalism.

I seldom use my Gowlandflex now but it will allways remain in my camera room as a good workin camera an a fond memory of peter.

He allways inspired me.

My condolences to his family.

Ed

[oldugly]

Yes, he was one of the greats.

[tomrit]

Never, met Peter, but I knew of him, read his books, and lusted for his cameras and other studio gadgets. He will be missed.

[Mike_e]

May he rest in peace and those who survive him remember the joy in having known him.

He was a credit to his art.

[Narsuitus]

Ed,

Thanks for the information. I admired Peter’s work and will miss him.

[Sidebyte]

In 1952 I was a young US Navy photog stationed in Long beach, Calif. aboard a Destroyer Tender.
I attended a photo exibition in L.A. and Peter had a display of his "glamour Girl" photo's as well as some of the lighting equipt he had developed.
I was pleased and honored to talk to him briefly and have since used him as a mentor and used his lighting setup as a guide.
At that time I was 20 and he was about 36, tall handsome, skinny and always smiling.
He as a son of a noted character actor in Hollywood had access to many of the "stars" as a people photographer as he grew up and developed his photo skills.
He certainly lived a full and glamorous life R.I.P.

[mjp321]

A story on Peter can be found here:

Peter Gowland, Pinup Photographer and Author, Dies at 93 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

[sddarkman619]

I dno't own a Gowland Flex but I do own a couple books by Peter, some photos and a video, and have sat with him and Alice in their home that is in many of his images, that was their studio.
Wonderful People. Alice is Devastated, and I wish he were still alive, he went way to quickly.
He fell down, broke his hip and passed away in the hospital. The operation was too hard on his body for him. Hell he was almost 93.

The Gowlands and I...

[sddarkman619]

Originally Posted by sddarkman619

I dno't own a Gowland Flex but I do own a couple books by Peter, some photos and a video, and have sat with him and Alice in their home that is in many of his images, that was their studio.
Wonderful People. Alice is Devastated, and I wish he were still alive, he went way to quickly.
He fell down, broke his hip and passed away in the hospital. The operation was too hard on his body for him. Hell he was almost 93.

The Gowlands and I...

Here's a little write up I did on how I came to get my picture in their home studio...

[sddarkman619]

Oh and one more thing, his website is here:
Peter Gowland Glamour Photography and Cameras

please take a moment and view his site and all his awesome history and family photos....