Capturing the present for future generations

“A good photograph is knowing where to stand” Ansel Adams

Over the past few years the State Library of South Australia has been adding to the collection of digital photographs through donations from local photographers, buying photographs, and community contributions.

These new photographic collections have a strong focus on both global and local events including the Kangaroo Island bushfires, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, protests and activist marches.

Events in our local communities and state happen for many different reasons, some are good, and others have lasting and devastating impacts, while some inspire change for the better. Whatever the event the capturing of the moment for future generations is important so we can learn from the past and inspire those that come after. Featured below are some of our recent additions to the Library’s digital photography collection and the photographers who captured moments in time.

" What I like about black-and white photographs is that they're more like reading a book than seeing a movie " Shannon Murdey-Green

Photographs taken by Shannon Murdey-Green focus on the Black Lives Matter protest on June 6 2020,

COVID-19 restrictions in Adelaide, and the Behind the Glass project – which features people in their homes during home isolation.

Explore the collection > PRG 1763 – Photographs of Shannon Murdey-Green

Adelaide ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protest, King William Street [SLSA: PRG 1763/1/9]

Outdoor dining sign at a Norwood Restaurant [SLSA: PRG 1763/9/14]

Colin and Lyn of Paradise [SLSA: PRG 1763/12/23]

Photographs taken by Jason Yablon feature the Black Lives Matter protest from the perspective of being part of the crowd. Jason is a freelance creative working in the fields of photography, videography, and cinematography.

Explore the collection > B 78494-B78532 - Black Lives Matter protest photographs by Jason Yablon

Adelaide 'Black Lives Matter' protest, Tarntanyangga [SLSA: B 78502]

Adelaide 'Black Lives Matter' protest, Tarntanyangga [SLSA: B 78514]

Adelaide 'Black Lives Matter' protest, Tarntanyangga [SLSA: B 78509]

Toby Woolley is a professional photographer who works in the State Library’s Preservation Team. Woolley attended the Adelaide Women’s March 4 Justice on March 15 2021, and captured views of the rally, and the march along both sides of King William Street.

Explore the collection > B 78540 – Adelaide Women’s March 4 Justice by Toby Woolley

Crowd at the Adelaide Women's March 4 Justice protest, Tarntanyangga / Victoria Square [SLSA: B 78540/11]

Adelaide March 4 Justice march along King William Street, in both directions. [SLSA: B 78540/39]

Crowd at the Adelaide Women's March 4 Justice protest, Tarntanyangga / Victoria Square [SLSA: B 78540/10]

Jeremy Piper is a professional documentary photographer and the State Library recently purchased a collection of his work documenting scenes from the 2019-2020 Kangaroo Island bushfire.

Explore the collection > B 78536 – Kangaroo Island Bushfire by Jeremy Piper

Kangaroo Island bushfire [SLSA: B 78536/5]

Kangaroo Island bushfire [SLSA: B 78536/7]

Kangaroo Island bushfire [SLSA: B 78536/9]

Fernando Gonçalves, a prolific photographer of local events and places has donated large collections of his photos to the Library which capture the state’s social history. Photographs featured in his recently donated collection show Black Lives Matter and Climate Strike protests.

Explore the collection > PRG 1766 – Photographs of Fernando Gonçalves

Crowd at the Adelaide Justice for George Floyd march, Tarndanyangga. [SLSA: PRG 1766/15/48]

Protestors with a Call to Action Adelaide banner at the Black Lives Matter - Keep up the fight rally, Tarndanyangga (Victoria Square). [SLSA: PRG 1766/14/27]

Black Lives Matter sign at the Black Lives Matter - Keep up the fight rally, Tarndanyangga (Victoria Square). [SLSA: PRG 1766/14/28]

Taryn Ellis is a professional photographer who also works for the State Library. Duringthe 2020 COVID-19 restrictions Ellis took her lens and went out capturing the way businesses, organisations, and communities adapted to life during a pandemic.

Explore the collection > B 78533 - COVID-19 photographs by Taryn Ellis

Queues of shoppers at the Adelaide Showground Farmers' Market [SLSA: B 78533/2]

Health advice at Unley Oval [SLSA: B 78533/12]

Customers queued to enter Apple Store, Rundle Mall [SLSA: B 78533/90]

In 2020 the State Library asked for community contributions to the Remember My Story: COVID-19 campaign which featured a Facebook page and a dedicated webpage allowing people to add their observations to the collection. The collection now has a total of 205 individual contributors with 380 individual photographs.

Explore the collection > B 78535.