New Joe Cornish Book

[jennym]

Whilst I agree with your comments about the shadow highlights, Tim, no images in a book are going to rival a print framed and mounted on a wall. So I don't personally see it as an issue. I would be surprised if any print of Joe's had the same problem and I didn't notice when I saw some of them at his 'Wild Stillness' exhibition last year.

I personally think this book is better than 'First Light' because he had to go and take most of the images, rather than choosing suitable pairs of images from his image library. The challenges he faced heading up some of the mountains with all his gear, especially in winter, also come through in his rather understated kind of way. So I think it probably stretched him in many different ways, and I think that shows in the images.

I have enjoyed this book more than 'First Light' although I probably learned more from 'First Light'. The number of Scottish mountains he includes is more limited than I expected, but that was probably due to time restraints and logistics. I certainly found it a more satisfying book to read than his Scottish Coast book or his Northumberland book, where I didn't get the impression he was challenged in quite the same way.

Just my opinion.

Jenny

[timparkin]

Whilst I agree with your comments about the shadow highlights, Tim, no images in a book are going to rival a print framed and mounted on a wall. So I don't personally see it as an issue. I would be surprised if any print of Joe's had the same problem and I didn't notice when I saw some of them at his 'Wild Stillness' exhibition last year.

I personally think this book is better than 'First Light' because he had to go and take most of the images, rather than choosing suitable pairs of images from his image library. The challenges he faced heading up some of the mountains with all his gear, especially in winter, also come through in his rather understated kind of way. So I think it probably stretched him in many different ways, and I think that shows in the images.

I have enjoyed this book more than 'First Light' although I probably learned more from 'First Light'. The number of Scottish mountains he includes is more limited than I expected, but that was probably due to time restraints and logistics. I certainly found it a more satisfying book to read than his Scottish Coast book or his Northumberland book, where I didn't get the impression he was challenged in quite the same way.

Just my opinion.

Jenny

Hi Jenny,

I totally agree that the book is a lot more compelling that first light in many ways. At the time, First Light was ground breaking in many ways and it showed a photographer at a peak of his ability working in a way that was possibly the most accessibile. Mountain's appears to me to be a photographer challenging himself both physically and creatively to produce a compelling and consistent body of work that forms a punctuation mark in British photography. The work isn't as instant as First Light but it isn't trying to cover as many bases and I already find myself with more favourites from this book than First Light.

Tim

[jennym]

Hi Tim,
I came to photography from a love of the mountains, and there are many images that I like from this book. I find that time spent in the mountains strengthens the character and I think that comes through in the images. I would be interested to know if Joe feels that taking the images for this book has made an impact on him personally. I certainly respect him for taking his LF gear and all his camping gear up those mountains in winter....

Jenny

[Dave Tolcher]

Having read the book as well as looked at the pictures last night I have a feeling that this is or could become one of the iconic photography books of our time. It is right up there with 'Mountain Light' by Rowell for e.g. Out of the 100 or so 'portfolio' type books I own this is in the top handful already and its still growing on me. Thats not just because its Joe, it really does come across as if he put his soul into it and that there wont be another like it - certainly on film.

[Thingy]

I received my copy last night and it was a pleasure to browse through. I have not had time to read it yet though I noted that most of the images were taken with an Ebony 45SU using Velvia 50 and Provia 100F, I seem to recall. I was rather disappointed by his comment that this was probably the last time he would use film and would, if I read it correctly, be migrating over to digital media.

[dave_whatever]

I was rather disappointed by his comment that this was probably the last time he would use film and would, if I read it correctly, be migrating over to digital media.

Thats not how I read it. More like that digital would play an increasing part of his work. Fair play to him if he's got the cheddar to pursue it.

[gari]

I think what Joe was saying that this was most likely the last book he will shoot exclusively on film.

Gari

[Thingy]

Thanks Gari. I must have misread it. Perhaps I'm getting paranoid in old age.

[dave_whatever]

I think what Joe was saying that this was most likely the last book he will shoot exclusively on film.

Gari

although technically his previous book as the last one shot exclusively on film.

[scovell001]

I've read this book about 3 times now, and, looked at the images on many occasions. I have a great deal of respect for Joe & his work, however, this book just isn't doing it for me. Don't get me wrong, its enjoyable but possibly more for the stories rather than the images.

Mr Cornish has certainly put a lot of effort into getting the images, but the all important 'Unicorns Blood' of mountain light seems to be missing to me. I also wonder about the commercial value and appeal to those who aren't within the photographic community.

mmmmmmm, maybe a few more reads and I'll click with it.