Dear Santa Claus – a photobook wishlist.

So here is coming another list for the end of the year. But I don’t want to play the expert, or award a prize, so I add an extra rule for my recommendations. I will not list books that are out of print. My idea is that everybody can buy a book from this wishlist. So no « Hidden Islam », « Red string », « Euromaidan », « I’m still looking for my own Jane Gallagher », « Linger » or « Teikai » which were all fantastic books published this year.

So here are my recommendations, in no particular order :

Volunteer, by Paul Seawright, published by Artist Photo Books, technically from 2013, but only available in 2014 : an exploration of America post 9-11 through suburban landscapes from military recruiting stations. More info in a previous post : https://whoneedsanotherphotoblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/when-landscape-photography-becomes-a-political-statement-volunteer-by-paul-seawright/

And the site of the Publisher : http://www.artistphotobooks.ie/product/volunteer/

Life and work, by Sune Jonsson, published by Bokförlaget Max Ström. I really do not understand why this book remain completely out of the radars. A huge and wonderful monography, beautifully printed, of the Swedish photographer of the rurality.

The site of the Publisher : http://www.maxstrom.se/Bocker/Bokpresentationssida/?isbn=9789171262950#.VIxdzieMtLo

You scared the shit out of me so I am leaving, by Calin Cruse, published by Dienacht Publishing. An exploration of erotic fairs. A very simple and efficient book beautifully designed.

Site of the Publisher : http://www.dienacht-magazine.com/2014/05/31/calin-kruse-you-scared/

Becoming Simone, by Alessia Bernardini, self published. The very sensitive story of Simone, a man born in the body of a girl and his lifelong battle to finally get the proper body he wants.

More details in a previous post : https://whoneedsanotherphotoblog.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/becoming-simone-by-alessia-bernardini-with-the-help-of-simone-grippi/

And Alessia Bernardini’s site : http://www.alessiabernardini.com/becoming-simone_the-book

One road, by Kazuo Kitai, published by Zen Foto gallery. One of the most beautiful book by Kazuo Kitai who remains a lot more known for his protest books. A walk through devastated landscapes after the tsunami in 2011 (which finally becomes a form of protest !)

Site of the Publisher : http://www.shashasha.co/en/book/oneroad/

Shauna 2007 – 2009, by Sean Lee, selfpublished. For three years, Sean Lee became Shauna, a beautiful ladyboy and this book is the story of Shauna. She shares her life with us, entering her intimacy. A very touching story !

My previous post about Shauna : https://whoneedsanotherphotoblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/three-years-in-the-life-of-a-lady-boy-shauna-2007-2009-by-sean-lee/

Sean Lee’s site : http://www.seanleephoto.com/

Alone Together, by Mi-Yeon, published by Kaya books. A beautifully crafted book of black and white photographs about what it means to be part of a society and our relationships to others. Remind me some of the Provoke books.

Mi-Yeon’s site : http://mi-yeon.jp/publications/

Sequester, by Awoiska Van der Molen, published by Fw : Alone, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature… with some photos printed on black paper which become drawn by the light !

The publisher’s site : http://fw-photography.nl/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_fw_minimal.tpl&product_id=85&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6&lang=en&vmcchk=1&Itemid=6

2041, published by Here Press. A collection of photographs of an unknown person dressed in self made burquas. One of the weirdest book published this year ! Not easy to say more, you have to look at the book to get your own opinion. It also comes with three different prints to personalize the cover.

Here press site : http://www.herepress.org/publications/2041/

Face Nord, by Charles Delcourt, published by Light Motiv. A French photographer, former landscape architect take us to a visit of the Northern part of France with its spoil tips. Charles emphatically shows the exact reasons why I love so much this area. With three short stories by Ukainian writer Andrei Kourkov.

The site of the Publisher : http://www.lightmotiv.com/?page=editions&idkey=18

 

And an extra one which cannot be bought :

Ibasyo, by Kosuke Okahara, selfpublished. A print run of 6 copies, but the book is not for sale. The six copies can be borrowed for a certain time and each one will have its own journey around the world. The book is about 6 Japanese girls who suffer from self injury. The last third of the book is made of blank pages where you can write a personnal message to one of the six girls. At the end of the journey, each book will be given to one of the six girls. This is really refreshing in the photobook world of collectors and comsumption.

More info in a previous post : https://whoneedsanotherphotoblog.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/ibasyo-by-kosuke-okahara-the-quest-for-a-physical-and-emotional-place-where-a-person-can-exist/

And the site dedicated to the books : http://ibasyobook.com/

All images copyright the authors and publishers.

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