| Administrative History | Founded in 1978, Ten.8 aimed to provide a forum for photographers in the West Midlands to share images and ideas. The magazine was published quarterly until 1992. It went from a local magazine to an internationally acclaimed journal with more than 1,500 subscribers. Derek Bishton and Brian Homer were members of a group including John Hodgetts and Nick Hedges who lobbied for a Birmingham Photography Gallery based on the Half Moon/Camerawork photographer collective model in Bethnal Green, London. They met with Barry Lane, Arts Council of Great Britain Photography Officer. The gallery idea was not supported because of perceived lack of experience in the group, but West Midlands Arts offered support for a West Midlands-focused photography magazine. Bishton and Homer accepted and agreed to design and publish.
Meetings were held at the small community arts and publishing organisation called Sidelines which Bishton and Homer had established at 81 Grove Lane, Handsworth. An editorial group was formed and included Derek Bishton, Brian Homer, Roy Peters, Rob Moore, Jon Stewart and John Taylor. The name ‘Ten.8’ suggested by Roy Peters (now also known as Mahasiddhi) referenced both traditional plate cameras (history) and the most popular size for prints that were supplied to publishers by photo agencies (contemporary). Design and format were heavily influenced by Camerawork.
Information provided by Derek Bishton |