Jane Bown

The best pictures are uninvited. They're suddenly there in front of you.

But they are there one minute and gone the next.

--Jane Bown

Haymakers

Southend-on-sea Essex

George Harrison

Samuel Beckett

Keep looking. That's all I did. Kept my eyes open.

Jane Bown has worked for the UK newspaper, The Observer, since 1949. For decades she has faithfully used the same Olympus cameras she purchased second hand. Her images embody poetic, lean minimalism.

Most of her photographs for The Observer were taken during sessions that lasted between 10 and 15 minutes. With time constraints, no props and using only available light, she mastered her own disciplined, distinctive style.

A portrait isn't limited to appearance; there is so much that defines a person; their energy, humor, intelligence and emotion. Her photographs capture those subtle, delicate intricacies.