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This week’s offering is The Last Testament by Jonas Bendiksen.

The Last Testament is a collection of the writings and in many cases the interviews with seven men who believe or at least offer themselves up as the returned Jesus. There are seven sections and each starts with the writings of the self-styled prophets followed by, in most cases, an interview with said pseudo-savior. In some cases Jonas had to settle for information he could gather because he was denied access to the man in question. There is a photo section for each aspiring prophet as well.

I selected this book because it’s a collection of stories in a stylized packaging (made to look like the Bible or what a “Third Testament” might look like). It’s an example of “journalism” done (it seems) properly with interviews, material, and no judgement. Photos are to be used to tell or enhance a story, and here they do the latter, documenting the lives of these seven men.

Book 003 - The Last Testament

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Hi!

My pick for this week is a man we all know for his pointed ears (No, not Legolas!), but Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy himself.

Book 002 - Sekhina - Nimoy

I remember when this book came out in 2002 (I was working at Barnes & Noble at the time) and of course his name is what drew the immediate attention. I didn’t really know much about photography at the time (arguably I still don’t) but I remember being unimpressed. It struck me as a case of someone known for one thing trying something else and it doing well because of the name, not what it was.

Fast forward to earlier this year. I’m always looking for a new photo book to pour over and find something new or captivating to hold my attention and touch me deeply. I forget why exactly I decided to try this volume again, maybe just because this copy was signed by the late artist, but this time I read Mr. Nimoy’s artist statement. I cannot do it justice in summary, but it made me remember that someone said, in effect, that photographers as artists show the world a way that we see some part of it. With that in mind these images were no longer merely a novelty, but a small glimpse into the mind and spirit of a man most of us know better as the logical Vulcan character.

It may still be a novelty and may have succeeded based on the artist’s name and fame, but it’s a volume that I’m pleased to have in my collection, especially since it’s the closest I’ll come to meeting him in this life.

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I’ve decided to start listing some photography books I find that I really like. There are a lot out there and I’ve managed to find a few that really speak to me. I’ll list them here in my blog and on a dedicated page if they’re of interest. Also, they’ll appear in no particular order.

My first offering is The Way of the Japanese Bath by Mark Edward Harris (I’ve included the blurb and photo below). I liked this book for three reasons:
1 – It’s a collection of excellent black & white work
2 – I’ve been to Japan, so it reminds me of the trip (though I did not have a Japanese bath)
3 – Nude work tends to be my favorite photography content when it’s used artfully and not sexualized, which it isn’t here.

The photos are visually stunning, and I can feel the heat from the baths and coolness from the outside air. Having been to Japan I know the smells and sounds, but the photos alone are worth the trip through this volume.

Book 001 - Way of the Japanese Bath

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So…

I was preparing to submit a few pieces to PX3 (Prix de la Photographie Paris) and stumbled upon my submission history. I’d submitted in 2018 and not placed, but discovered that I’d also submitted wayyy back in 2016…and received an Honorable Mention for my series.

I’d had NO idea. I don’t remember receiving and email either way and I had no record of the submission, so this was a pleasant surprise. It means my first HM wasn’t 2018 at the International Photography Awards, but two full years earlier at PX3 2016.

…huh

Wonder what I might have done differently if I’d known…

Maybe it’s just as well : P

I’ve included screen captures below. Though I cringe at the editing I still like the photos and can always re-edit.