The Contemporary Photobook Magazine
Review by Matt Schneider • "fever days fleets erected at a dazzling pace rigs roaming the seas sonar boats scanning the ocean floor young men recruited fortunes made conquering frontiers establishing capitalism" (p. 77) Forgotten Seas, by photographer, Tanja Engelberts, is a hefty photobook. By this, I mean that it is large, yes. The book is 216 pages... Continue Reading →
Review by Douglas Stockdale • This retrospective publication of Paul Caponigro is not meant to be in anyway inclusive of Caponigro’s entire body of work to date. This beautiful book encompasses some of his most wonderful, if not iconic, visual poems. Many of these same Caponigro’s photographs are what initially enticed me to consider the potential... Continue Reading →
Review by Steve Harp • Walker’s Vein by David Bernstein is a mystery masquerading as a travel guide. My immediate reaction in encountering the book object was to note its somewhat unusual dimensions – 8” x 13”, a tall, thin volume. These are proportions I usually associate with guidebooks; not a totally idiosyncratic connection, as the book presents itself... Continue Reading →
Review by Gerhard Clausing • In his very perceptive essay for this photobook, Harry Gallon provides a very important insight: “Place exists as the altar of our everyday existence.” He goes on to discuss the multiple layers of history that weigh heavily on all the locations that were photographed by Ian Howorth for this astonishing... Continue Reading →
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 →
PhotoBook Journal 