18 Sep 2024

Photographer Leslie Adkin: A portal back into the land of milk and honey

From Nights, 10:45 pm on 18 September 2024

Leslie Adkin was a geologist, ethnographer and father living in Levin whose legacy of self-taught photography left an incredible record of family life in Aotearoa.

Athol McCreedie's new book, Leslie Adkin: Farmer Photographer, celebrates his life's work.

He joins Emile Donovan.

The front cover of a book of photography, called "LESLIE ADKIN - FARMER PHOTOGRAPHER", written by Athol McCreedie. A group of women talk in a circle outside in a garden.

'Leslie Adkin: Farmer Photographer' by Athol McCreedie is on sale now. Photo: Leslie Adkin

Three women lie on sand dunes, holding parasols over their heads. The photo is old, in black and white.

Sleeping beauties on sand dunes, 1 January 1927. Ōtaki Beach. Gelatin glass negative, quarter plate, A.008559 (Page 163) Photo: Leslie Adkin

Maud bathes her baby Nancy in a metal tub on the deck of the house. They both smile.

The order of the bath, 24 November 1917. Maud (Adkin) bathing Nancy at Woodside. Gelatin glass negative, half plate, B.022664 (Page 118) Photo: Leslie Adkin