Cleare Perspectives: Capturing the Spirit of Adventure

With pre-orders now open for Cleare Perspectives, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what makes this upcoming release so special.

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Few photographers have had as profound an impact on the way we see mountains as John Cleare. For over 50 years, John’s images helped to define the visual language of climbing, capturing both the drama of the world’s most impressive landscapes and the quieter moments that shine a light on some of the people behind mountaineering’s greatest achievements. It’s nearly time for the first copies of Cleare Perspectives to make their way to readers, who will soon be able to explore the remarkable life behind the iconic images.

John emerged during a transformative time in British climbing. He was there to document the period which is now often referred to as the sport’s ‘golden age’. His images captured the achievements of some now legendary names whose personalities shaped the era, including Hamish MacInnes, Tom Patey, Don Whillans and Chris Bonington.

Yet John was never just an observer. As a climber himself, he not only understood the environments but also what fuelled the people he photographed. Long before the arrival of lightweight digital camera equipment, capturing climbers in action required even more determination, grit and ingenuity than it does today. John developed his own methods for working in demanding mountain terrain, often placing himself in precarious positions to get the perspective he wanted. As a result, his images possess an intimacy and immediacy that can only come from someone who understood exactly what was unfolding in front of the lens.

What becomes clear as you make your way through Cleare Perspectives is that John’s talents extend far beyond photography and composition. He also had a deep understanding and curiosity about the people around him. This gave him the ability to capture something essential about a moment. Whether it was a climber on a difficult route, a mountain landscape welcoming the sun at dawn or a scene of everyday life, his work invited viewers to look closer and draw their own conclusions.

One of the most fascinating things you’ll find in this memoir is that it illustrates the breadth of John’s career. Alongside the mountain photography, for which he is best known, readers will also discover cityscapes, architectural studies and travel photography from all over the world. As well as showing the evolution in John’s work, his career shows the evolution of photography itself from the deeply analogue times to the modern digital age.

Cleare Perspectives is more than a memoir. It’s a reflection of a changing world and a celebration of the people, landscapes and journeys that inspired a lifetime’s work. For anyone interested in climbing, photography, travel or mountain culture, this title offers the chance to see life through the eyes of one of the greats. Pre-order your copy now at Cleare Perspectives: Capturing the Spirit of Adventure.

Images

Bernese Oberland, Swiss Alps—between the weather, filming camp on the Eiger West Flank above a stormy evening cloud-sea. © John Cleare
Filming on the Matterhorn. © John Cleare
Rusty Baillie jumars up the overhanging east face of this celebrated 450-foot sea stack off the wild west coast of the Isle of Hoy. © John Cleare
Froggatt Edge, Peak District National Park – in action in Slimmer’s Chimney on this famous gritstone crag. © John Cleare