Themes Books

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was created in 1996. It was long overdue. The monument (And it should be a full-fledged National Park, IMHO.), preserves the most single significant block of Cretaceous strata in the world, numerous exquisite arches and slot canyons of exceptional size and beauty, tremendous geological faults, colorful, spectacular rock formations, fossilized animals and plants, and irreplaceable Native American relics and structures. The area is still being explored and more of these and other wonders are being located each year.

This excellent book covers all of these matters and more in considerable written detail. Magnificent color photography follows the text and lays open this wonderful country for all to see. The text is carefully drafted, and the photos follow the text very well.

If you never have the good fortune to visit this area, this book will give a very fine glimpse into the need for its preservation. If you have visited it, as I have, the book will evoke countless pleasant memories. IF YOU ARE GOING TO VISIT IT, for the first time, or on a repeat basis, read this book thoroughly to make intelligent decision about what to see and do, since you can't possibly see it all in one trip.

This book receives the highest recommendation.

In a roughly 8 year period, the author made several kayak trips along various parts of the Superior shoreline, hauling photographic equipment along and immersing himself in those wild, unspoiled scenes so spectacularly portrayed in the 154 plates that appear in this book. The results are well worth every penny of the 40-odd bucks this book costs, and then some. As a fellow photographer of nature, I can attest to the way one can use ground glass and film to convey his deep appreciation -- yes, even a spiritual bond -- with the outdoors as God made it. Blacklock's collection of 4x5 format images (with one 35 mm slide thrown in) of the Big Lake is not only visually vivid, but spiritually moving in a way few other published photo collections can perform.

Nowhere have I seen water, rock, ice, forest, fog and sun so splendidly blended and starkly contrasted at the same time, across an entire plate set. [Plate 33 is the most stunning portrayal of ice and sky together which I have ever seen -- National Geographic's Arctic photos included -- and easily in my top 5 favorite photographs of all time.] Most admirably, nowhere in any of the photos appears a man-made object that I could see. The author takes his efforts a step further by fully revealing his techniques -- right down to the camera, film and tripod brands, and his CMYK post-processing in Photoshop (not to alter, but instead to clean up, the imagery).

Having been all around Lake Superior, its rugged vastness revealed to my eyes but only feebly captured on film by comparison, I am in awe of the job Blacklock has done. The sky, rocks and waves there have such a rich story to tell; and this book masterfully allows that story to begin. It makes me determined to return someday, camera again in hand and Blacklock's methods in mind, to get far removed from the tracks of people, and to experience Superior at its raw, unrestrained best.

There's a message in these beautiful photos and essays. We must preserve natural balance. As Linda Benedict-Jones says in the Introduction: "...One of the specific wishes of Blacklock... is that the remaining undeveloped lake shoreline be kept for open access. When he silently glides for months on end around the periphery of the lake, he does it with the hope that his pictures will convince others to appreciate the lake as he does. Lake Superior is simply too profound as a spiritual resource to be guarded by a privileged few. Should these last open stretches be developed, they will forever be out of reach by the general public. We have learned precious little from the examples set for us by the Navajo (Dineh), the Dakota and the Anishinabe. We all know that Native Americans lived in harmony with the earth and believed that land could be neither bought nor sold since it belonged to all. Perhaps it is not too late to apply their wisdom to relatively small, yet hugely important, areas of land bordering the Great Lakes. Perhaps these Blacklock photographs will help preserve public access to Lake Superior's shores, as certain photographic efforts of his 19th Century predecessors helped to convince (the U.S.) Congress to establish national parklands of the Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and others." Pass it on!

It is printed and bound in Milan, Italy by Amilcare Pizzi. They have done a very good job in binding this hardcover book. It has 112 pages and is of a suitable size 235 x 310 mm. Most of the photos are on the right face of an opening.

All the prints are monochrome and have a brown tone to them. All models are female and show sensual nudity and they pose standing. Personally I like most of the tranquil, silent and warm pictures. I can also see an emphasis on the eyes of the models.

I'm happy to see a Finnish model on page 15 (Rebecca), someone I have not yet had the privilege to photograph. The most stunning images are page 11 (Nina Z., Russia) page 31 (Larissa D., Slovenia)and page 63 (Nadya, Russia).

I can highly recommend this book, and the price is well balanced. It has at least found a place in my library.

These images are most unusual for portraits, and are very successful. All of the models are friends of Ms. Tenneson, and are not posed by her. Instead, she is trying to create a "visual diary . . . to probe emotions and inner realities that are . . . invisible . . . ." To do this, "I asked them what was most important in their lives." The book contains quotes of what the subjects said, as well as the finished image. To be a spiritual warrior is "to offer oneself to the world authentically, to flex the courage muscles, to share what it means to be human." She is open to the whole person, for "what fascinates me is life's complexities, the darkness as well as the light."

Each portrait is reproduced in warm browns. The foundation of the portrait is a nude image of the model or models (usually mother and child or twins). Then a double exposure is created to superimpose other elements of the subject's self vision. Portions of these images will be light, and will exist as overexposed sections that seem like the sun bursting from the page. The imagery is quite strong, and you will probably find yourself having an emotional reaction to it. That's definitely part of the appeal. You will also feel like you know a lot about each model.

Here are my favorites among these wonderful images: Nina Z., Russia; Sheryl and Sef, United States; Rebekka, Finland; Nina B., Germany; Laura and Isaac, United States; Yael, Israel; Marie-Claude, Canada; Jasmin, Australia; Suri, United States; Marisa, United States; Lindsay and Amanda, United States; Jessie, United States; Margarita, Russia; and Sun, United States.

How does she see her role as the photographer? "I just provide a safe place for them to be open . . . ." Who are these women? "They are pilgrims . . . ."

After you enjoy these images, I suggest that you also ask people what is most important in their lives. Even without taking a photograph, you can come much closer and create important bands of connection. What else can you ask that will be revealing and welcome?

By being a respectful seeker, you too can be a spiritual pilgrim. At the end of your journey, you may also become a light warrior.