Behind the Lens with Douglas Corrance

Douglas Corrance’s photographs have been the main images in numerous books, including guides to Japan, Paris, France, India and New York. He has also produced portraits of Scottish cities and regions, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. He has received national awards, including the Bill Heron trophy in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Scottish tourism.

Edinburgh clothes seller “Madame Doubtfire” had a formidable reputation and the expression to match. So I knew there was a striking image just waiting to be taken. I was also aware that if I didn’t get it, it would be my fault. All the material was there: not only Madame Doubtfire’s expression, but the fact that, at just the right moment, one of her cats jumped up to sit beside her. It was the 1970s, pre-digital, and I had an anxious wait until the film was processed to see if I had captured it.