Saxmundham photographer's final works on display in Snape

Described as the “godfather of photojournalism”, Eamonn McCabe was highly celebrated and respected photographer who photographed everyone from Diego Mara to the Pope.

As a young, largely self-taught photographer, Mr McCabe cut his teeth taking photos for local newspapers in north London before joining The Observer as a sports photographer in 1976.

For the final 25 years of his life, he made his home in Saxmundham, where he marvelled at the vast, open Suffolk skies.

Mr McCabe passed away in October 2022, aged 74.

Mr McCabe passed away in October 2022, aged 74. (Image: Newsquest) Susan Brinkhurst approached McMcCabe with the idea for this new exhibition in early 2022. (Image: Susan Brinkhurst)

Before he died, he was working on a new body of work focusing on the reed beds fringing the River Alde, after being approached by his friend, the artist Susan Brinkhurst.

According to Mr McCabe’s wife, Rebecca Smithers, he was intrigued by possibilities this new challenge presented – honing in on the unexpected detail within a shot, rather than photographing the landscape in an obvious manner.

Meanwhile, Ms Brinkhurst created her own works also inspired by the reed beds, vast charcoal drawings, one being more than seven metres long, which look at the same area from differing perspectives.

“I have been fascinated with the river at Snape for a while. Every day, it looked different,” explained Ms Brinkhurst.

"I thought it would be nice to collaborate with someone who would be viewing it in a different eye, who works in an entirely different way.”

Mr McCabe took this photograph in March of 2022. Image: Eamonn McCabe, provided by Rebecca Smithers (Image: Eamonn McCabe) Susan Brinkhurst has produced vast, charcoal drawings as well as installations inspired by the reed beds of the River Alde. Image: Susan Brinkhurst (Image: Susan Brinkhurst) Some of Susan Brinkhurst's works are several metres in length. Image: Susan Brinkhurst (Image: Susan Brinkhurst) The project presented a new challenge for Mr McCabe. Image: Eamonn McCabe, supplied by Rebecca Smithers (Image: Eamonn McCabe)

Sadly, Mr McCabe died before the project came to fruition. However, his wife and Ms Brinkhurst were determined that the works he produced before his death should be seen and celebrated.

The exhibition, ‘MUD: The Upper Estuary of the Alde’, will be on display from Saturday September 14 at Snape Maltings, and will run until October 20.

A bursary in Mr McCabe’s memory to support a young, up-and-coming photographer remains available, with the winner to be announced later in the autumn. For further details, click here