‘It’s created instant hugs, tears and disbelief’

Sunday 25 February 2024

192. Talking Pictures: Jack Lowe

In an age of selfies, photographer Jack Lowe uses Victorian methods on his quest to capture lifeboat crew from every RNLI lifeboat station. He tells us why.

For a 200-year-old institution, it’s fitting that photographer Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project allows us to see the modern work of the RNLI through a historical lens – quite literally. In 2015, Jack set out on a 10-year mission in his mobile darkroom – a converted ambulance he aptly named Neena – to photograph crew members at all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations. Eschewing contemporary methods, he uses a 170-year-old process known as wet collodion – something Jack calls ‘mobile-gearbox photography’.

It’s a painstaking, multi-staged task, but the results are worth it. Jack has so far captured lifesavers at 158 lifeboat stations – many volunteers are moved by the photographs, sometimes to tears. In this episode, Jack talks about how old techniques can reveal new perspectives.

An old-fashioned-looking black and white photograph of Leah Hunter, a volunteer crew member at Whitby RNLI. She’s standing in front of the station’s lifeboat, in her crew kit, looking into the camera and smiling.

Leah Hunter, Whitby RNLI

A black and white photograph of two female crew members leaning against the front of an inshore lifeboat, which peeks out from a brick boathouse. They’re both wearing their crew kit, which includes bibbed trousers and wellies.

Julianne Macauley and Rosalyn Rayment, Filey RNLI

A black and white photograph of five female RNLI crew members. Three of them are sitting on a tractor, while the other two are in front and leaning against it. They’re wearing their crew kit and staring into the camera.

Emily, Sarah, Gemma, Elaine and Eli, Aberystwyth RNLI

You can view many of the photographs taken for the Lifeboat Station Project at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Women of the RNLI runs 2 March–1 December 2024. Book tickets on the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

Learn more about the Lifeboat Station Project.