I'm happy to report that we'll be publishing another extensive portfolio of original photojournalism by Peter Turnley on Monday. Be sure to visit TOP then to check it out.
In other friends-of-the-site news, this is cool: remember Gordon Lewis's umbrella lady? The picture was one Gordon took while testing a Pentax K-7 for a TOP review. So many readers responded positively to it that we organized a print sale for it, which went very well—I believe Gordon sold 77 copies of it. I've got the smaller size print (he offered two sizes) framed on my office wall.
Well, it seems that the umbrella lady's career continues. It's been included in George Barr's soon-to-be-released Rocky Nook book Why Photographs Work: 52 Great Images Who Made Them, What Makes Them Special, and Why. Apparently—according to Gordon—George just got his proof copy, hot off the press, and Gordon hasn't seen the book yet. So of course neither have I.
Gordon points out that early promo JPEGs of the cover art said there were 50 photographs, not 52—"Apparently I and one other lucky bastard squeezed in just under the wire," he says.
The book should be shipping very soon. As in, a matter of days. I'll be looking forward to seeing it.
I haven't seen Peter's portfolio yet, either—it's due in here tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing that, too.
Mike
Send this post to a friend
Please help support TOP by using our links to B&H Photo and Amazon! Many thanks.
Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. More...
Original contents copyright 2010 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
Featured Comment by Carsten S: "German Amazon lists it as Why Photographs Work: 51 Great Images: What Made Them, What Makes them Special, and Why. :)"
Mike replies: Interesting. We'll have to get a report from a German buyer of the book as to whether the umbrella lady makes it into the German edition or not!
Featured Comment by George Barr: "I too purchased a print of Gordon's image and Gordon was one of first group of photographers I contacted for the book. Rather than promote the book, let me just say that all 52 photographers donated their work, both their images and their writing, not to say time, to the project—they didn't get a penny for their efforts and I'll never be able to thank them enough. I had hoped for 40 photographers but the response from the vast majority of those I contacted was so enthusiastic that it grew. That we ended up with 52 is due in part to uncertainties as people joined and the rare person dropped out for one good reason or another, and in no small part to the fact that apparently I can't count. I don't suppose though that anyone is going to object to two extra great photographs in the book. Even the careful use of a spreadsheet to keep track of everything failed to help me keep on top of what amounted to a gigantic undertaking."
Good for you, Gordon. Well done!
Posted by: Ken Tanaka | Friday, 12 November 2010 at 12:33 PM
Great to see the Umbrella Lady photo doing so well. It's kind of hard to believe anyone would want to look at that image anymore considering that it came from the lowly K-7 with its pathetically under-permorming sensor.
With all the excitement surrounding the K-5's superior DxO scores and mudslinging directed at the clearly awful K-7, I am surprised all images made from the K-7 haven't been quietly deleted to avoid the awful shame that would be exposed in the EXIF data.
(Need I say I am being sarcastic?)
Posted by: photogdave | Friday, 12 November 2010 at 03:03 PM
Way to go Gordon! I will cherish my print all the more.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Lane | Friday, 12 November 2010 at 05:23 PM
I too purchased a print of Gordon's image and Gordon was one of first group of photographers I contacted for the book. Rather than promote the book, let me just say that all 52 photographers donated their work, both their images and their writing, not to say time, to the project - they didn't get a penny for their efforts and I'll never be able to thank them enough. I had hoped for 40 photographers but the response from the vast majority of those I contacted was so enthusiastic that it grew. That we ended up with 52 is due in part to uncertainties as people joined and the rare person dropped out for one good reason or another, and in no small part to the fact that apparently I can't count. I don't suppose though that anyone is going to object to two extra great photographs in the book. Even the careful use of a spreadsheet to keep track of everything failed to help me keep on top of what amounted to a gigantic undertaking.
Posted by: George Barr | Friday, 12 November 2010 at 10:05 PM
Why Photographs Work was printed in Germany, so it seems reasonable that it would be available sooner there.
I can't wait to see the book, too.
Posted by: Joe Lipka | Saturday, 13 November 2010 at 07:57 AM
Just checked out George's book on Amazon. Looks like another winner! Love Phil Borges work and his included portrait is stunning.
Posted by: Peter Randal | Saturday, 13 November 2010 at 05:25 PM