The Contemporary Photobook Magazine
Gerhard 'Gerry' Clausing, Editor, PhotoBook Journal copyright 2023 In June Gerry Clausing became the Editor for PhotoBook Journal (PBJ), the on-line magazine for contemporary photographic book reviews for which he has been reviewing since November 2016. This coincides with his 200th book review for PhotoBook journal, most recently as the Associate Editor for the magazine. He began contributing book reviews... Continue Reading →
Review by Gerhard Clausing • To interpret the trivialities of everyday life is not an easy task, but it is an interesting challenge. In contemplating such subjects, personal recollections that are stored in each person’s memory will be applied to what is seen, and some cultural understanding may also come in handy. Thus the work... Continue Reading →
Review by Rudy Vega · The cover of Ewan Telford's The Ecology of Dreams is solid dark blue with gold text. The text displays in dictionary fashion a brief overview of Los Angeles and then followed by the definition of dreams. An image of a skull with sickle and scythe positioned right above a thumbs down illustration completes the... Continue Reading →
Review by Matt Schneider · The Grift begins with a short piece of reflective commentary by photographer Andrew Kochanowski. Here, he playfully describes something of a circus meets pyramid scheme. Crowds chanting now familiar phrases like, “Lock her up!” and “Build the wall!” Recurring bits about “Hoaxes, taxes, a grievance extravaganza.” Celebrity appearances from American politicians, the... Continue Reading →
Review by Paul Anderson • Between 2014 and 2022, photographer Chris Maliwat rode the rails of the New York City subway system with his camera, skillfully capturing its quirky and colorful passengers. He began photographing during pre-COVID days and continued through the height of the pandemic. A selection of these images is assembled in his 2022... Continue Reading →
Review by Gerhard Clausing • The trafficking of humans for nefarious purposes has gone on for centuries and is still practiced today. Poverty and/or the promise of some economic gain are usually the motivating factor on the part of the perpetrators. Often relatives or close 'friends' commit these betrayals that assault human dignity. Whether it... Continue Reading →
Review by Douglas Stockdale • This is not the usual photobook investigating the Southern California surf culture. As evident on the book’s interesting slipcover, a folded double-sided surf poster, that Gabriella Angotti-Jones subjects for I Just Wanna Surf are not the usual bunch of ‘tan’ blonde beach dudes. In fact they are not even dudes, but a small... Continue Reading →
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Environmental destruction and climate change certainly constitute a universal problem. Resources are limited, and both humans and other creatures have their needs to fulfill. Nick Brandt is an artist with a big heart and an even bigger conscience, and in his work, he calls attention to these disturbing global trends.... Continue Reading →
Review by Gerhard Clausing • Cosplay is a fun activity. You take your innermost thoughts out to be seen in public, as you embody, through your costume and makeup, a fictional character you admire, showing yourself as your personal hero or heroine to everyone out there. These personalized and externalized emotions can be seen at... Continue Reading →
Review by Douglas Stockdale · We will all face the inevitable mortal event with most of us having an uncertain timeline, while it is life changing to be informed that this event will occur within a short period of time. After that type of alarming news, there is a need to deal with a narrow window... Continue Reading →
PhotoBook Journal 