The Contemporary Photobook Magazine
Review by Hans Hickerson · I was curious when I saw that photographer Neil Selkirk had published a book of writing, Why Photographs?. I was not familiar with Selkirk’s work. I knew only that he had printed Diane Arbus’ posthumous photographs. What did he, an elder statesman of the medium, have to say about the... Continue Reading →
Review by Lee Halvorsen • Captivating! Exotic! Breathtaking! Yes, this book is all of that, but those words understate the exquisite view into nature’s beauty Thomas has wrapped into these pages. The reader experiences relationships among people, horses, eagles, and the land. This isn’t a book about an exciting apex predator or a beautiful but... Continue Reading →
Review by Matt Schneider · What does limestone have to do with the history, development, and politics of Malta? Apparently quite a lot, as this is the undergirding (and extremely) compelling question at the center of Marcin Piekałkiewicz photobook, Built on Sand. Perhaps as you would expect, Built on Sand opens with images of crystal... Continue Reading →
Review by Steve Harp · If my review of Susanne Willuhn’s 2019 self-published monograph Das Jahr der Eidechse (The Year of the Lizard) were to consist of a single word, that word could be quirky. Or, perhaps elusive. Thankfully, I have more than one (or two) words with which to explore this surprising and engaging... Continue Reading →
Text and photos by Hans Hickerson · The 13th edition of the Fiebre Photobook Fest took place in Madrid from September 18 to 20. More than 130 exhibitors from some 20 countries exhibited their books. In addition to the book market there were book signings, presentations, catered lunches, and panel discussions. Photobooks from Mexico were... Continue Reading →
Review by Hans Hickerson · Bear with me as I begin with a digression. Have you lain awake at night pondering the mysteries of Roland Barthes’ “punctum?” I haven’t, and I usually find analytics unhelpful to my practice of photography. But I thought about the term again recently and wondered what AI would do with... Continue Reading →
Review by Hans Hickerson · OK, another senior photographer has just published a book of their early work. So let’s check it out. Is it like similar books? Is it murky, derivative student work that hasn’t yet found its voice? Would it see the light of day if not for the photographer’s name recognition and... Continue Reading →
Review by Lee Halvorsen • Jerusalem is a city like no other…traditions, faiths, races, separation, strife, love, hate, all living, loving and lasting together for 5,000 years. Gabay describes these city attributes as “layers” where places and people share the same space, sometimes the same frame and in that "captured in the camera" moment lives... Continue Reading →
Review by Lee Halvorsen • I was gifted this book by the author and PBJ editor, Hans Hickerson who expressly did NOT want a review, only for me to enjoy his journey down this tortured and touching trip down memory lane. The vibrant colors of the small book’s cover capturing a computer screen were familiar and... Continue Reading →
Review by Lee Halvorsen • This fascinating book blends striking photography with human sociology, using the metaphor of a two-way mirror to reflect a Europe beyond postcards—and the people at its margins looking back. It is puzzling, yes, but undeniably compelling. In Yesilyurt’s opening manifesto, he makes clear that his aim is not to present... Continue Reading →
