Photographer Rankin has been commissioned by The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky to create a limited edition series of photographs for the first year of the landmark commission series, The Macallan Masters of Photography.  The results of this collaboration will be published in a highly collectible edition, Rankin: A Photographic Essay of The Macallan Estate (RRP £40), available for purchase through The Macallan website.

Website: Macallan

Press Release

The Macallan Masters of Photography

A limited collectible edition of Rankin’s Polaroids

Publication May 2010

Inaugural Macallan Master of Photography Rankin pays homage to the things he loves most in this unprecedented photographic essay and ode to the Scottish Highlands

In 2008 photographer Rankin was commissioned by The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky to create a limited edition series of photographs for the first year of the landmark commission series, The Macallan Masters of Photography. The results of this collaboration will be published in a highly collectible edition, Rankin: A Photographic Essay of The Macallan Estate (RRP £40). Marking the end of Rankin’s tenure as the inaugural Macallan Master of Photography, Rankin will hand over the baton to the next commissioned photographer who will be announced later this summer.

This commissioned series is an unparalleled opportunity for photographers to experiment with different methods and techniques and Rankin’s decision to use Polaroid to shoot this commission lends the project a special sense of individuality. The nature of the medium dictates that each of the 1,000 images shot during his stay at The Macallan distillery are unrepeatable single editions. Polaroid’s demise adds a greater sense of uniqueness. Together they form a story or visual journey in a specific moment of time in the stunning Speyside landscape, The Macallan Estate and its people, giving a glimpse behind the scenes of the Estate at work.

Tuuli, Rankin’s long term muse and wife, is as a central subject of the photographs. Her nude form posed in the setting of the beautiful Estate, coupled with the obvious intimacy of the relationship existing between photographer and subject, lend these images a sensuality and emotional warmth. They reveal a style of photography which is far removed from the glossy work for which Rankin is renowned.

The shoot was a rewarding experience for the photographer as Rankin states:

‘It’s very different to my other work – that was definitely one of my intentions. I wanted to do something that was unlike anything I’d ever done before, so it had a freshness to it. I normally create one or two, maybe up to five images. When you do that you only get a certain aspect, one layer, one perspective. You don’t go on a full visual journey. I wanted to create something that, when each individual gets in, they get a something that has value – emotionally, visually and aesthetically.’

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, commenting on the project, said: “It gives me great pleasure to see this book in publication as it marks the culmination of the first edition in our Masters of Photography series.

“The project itself has enjoyed success beyond our wildest dreams. We are very proud to be the first Scotch whisky brand ever to release 1,000 limited edition pieces of art. We value Rankin’s contribution enormously and this book with all 1,000 images, including 40 previously unseen shots will be a fabulous addition to the library of any fan of photography or premium single malt.”

A Photographic Essay of The Macallan Estate will be available for purchase through The Macallan website: www.themacallan.com. There are still a small number of limited edition bottles, which sees the partnering of the superb Macallan 30 year old, with the individual Polaroid shot by Rankin, available directly from The Macallan Visitor Centre (RRP £899).

Photo credit: Rankin

Your Comments