Artist Information
Artist
Harry Upperton Knight (1873-1973)Role
PhotographerDate made
n.d.Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
PHOTOGRAPHER BIOGRAPHY
Born in Tillington, Sussex, England, Harry Upperton Knight was a successful Canadian photographer out of Victoria, B.C. specializing in portraits and landscapes. In particular he was noted for his artistic "camera sketches" that reflected his interest in the Pictorial photography movement. This international movement, that began in the 1890s and remained popular until the 1920s, was intended to advance the status of photography as a true art form.
Knight started his career by apprenticing to another photographer and then opened his own studio in Cranleigh, England. In 1910 Knight immigrated to Canada, first selling real estate in Vancouver and Duncan, B.C., and in 1917, he moved to Victoria. Following a short period working in the Wilfred Gibson studios, Knight opened his own commercial studio at 707 ½ (later 715) Fort Street in 1918.
Until his retirement in 1965, Knight continued to specialize in portrait photography, copy work and his artistic work, mostly landscapes, which emphasized his use of a soft focus lens. He photographed the City of Victoria, as well as Vancouver Island, its people, the streets, the houses and the changing landscape, such as the development of The Butchart Gardens. He also traveled to Vancouver, Los Angeles, Seattle and Mexico. Knight died at the age of 100. The City of Victoria Archives acquired his photographs in 1972.
