Shand Kydd finds art in 'forgotten' village nature

Johnnie Shand Kydd, a photographer formerly associated with capturing London's vibrant social scene in the 1990s, has unveiled a new photography book titled 'Ramsholt'. The book showcases the "bleak beauty" of the Suffolk village, a subject far removed from his previous work photographing artists like Damien Hirst and celebrities such as Kate Moss. Kydd, who is also the stepbrother of Diana, Princess of Wales, now finds artistic merit in the tranquil landscapes of mudflats and reed beds.

He describes the appeal of East Suffolk's understated scenery, noting its difference from more conventionally picturesque regions. Kydd, who resides in London, found inspiration for 'Ramsholt' during frequent visits to his mother in the village. He imposed a constraint on himself: all photographs were taken within the confines of a specific 50-minute walking route.

The book, due for release in May, has garnered ecstatic reactions, surprising Kydd who initially considered it a private project. He contrasts the "darkness but great beauty" and integrity of these new images with the raw energy of his earlier, less refined work. Despite exhibiting at the National Portrait Gallery and appearing in Vogue, Kydd credits his early success to "extraordinary access" and a degree of "ineptness" that lent his photographs a unique energy.