Evan Charteris - Public domain architecture print

Ronald Ruthven Leslie-Melville was a Scottish photographer, born in 1835. He was known for his landscape and architectural photography, particularly of Scotland's castles and ruins. Leslie-Melville was also an accomplished painter and illustrator, which influenced his photographic style. Leslie-Melville began working as a photographer in the 1860s, initially in partnership with his brother-in-law, James Valentine. They produced high quality photographic prints of Scotland's landscapes and landmarks, which were sold as souvenirs to tourists. Leslie-Melville's work was highly regarded for its technical excellence and artistic composition. Leslie-Melville was also involved in the early development of colour photography. He experimented with various techniques, including the use of coloured filters and multiple exposures, to create vivid and lifelike images. His colour photographs were exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society in London and received critical acclaim. In addition to photography, Leslie-Melville was an active member of the Scottish art community. He was a founder member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society and served as its president from 1888 to 1891. He was also a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and exhibited his paintings and photographs at its annual exhibitions. Leslie-Melville died in 1906, leaving a legacy of exceptional photographic work that continues to inspire photographers today.