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Summary: Images of rare luminosity from a gifted courageous humanist
Review: It seems Jock Sturges has simply accepted that no matter what our age, our sexualities are with us. There is rich expression of this in our family lives and every aspect of our experience as we grow. His photographs are startling in their eloquence on the subject. There is something timeless and perfect that speaks to us from the images of pubescent children that he and his models fashion together - in nature, in friendship and in their families. Their is a natural honesty in his work that shocks many Americans because of the deep tradition here of cultural puritanism. If you are so afflicted, gentle reader, please be unafraid to peek through your fingers at this book. Jock Sturges speaks to us in this volume with courage and from his deep humanity, enormous artistry and rare technical virtuosity. His photographs become luminous among our own memories. - Bob Brecht
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Summary: Another true gem by Jock Sturges!
Review: After viewing 'Last Days of Summer' I came right back to Amazon to order 'Radiant Identities' (and 'New Work'). Again, I am struck by the power, beauty and serenity of Surges' art. I'm a photographer myself, therefore obviously interested in the matter, and I have seen many - very different - work by numerous photographers. I'm also rather particular about what I like and don't like, and when I view someone's work usually I find just a few photographs I really like, the rest is often considered 'average' or 'not my taste'. However, this is not the case with Jock Sturges' work. Although I obviously have my favourites, so far I haven't seen a single photograph by Sturges I don't like, or even one that could be described as 'average'. They are all powerful, intriguing and stunningly beautiful. Sturges doesn't only master the art of photography flawlessly; he actually manages to capture the soul of his subjects. They are real people captured in real life, not professional models who just undressed for the occasion. As explained in the foreword, they are nude anyway, and a photographer coming along doesn't change anything about that. This is their life, their world, their home. Sturges offers us the chance to observe these wonderful people in their natural setting, and we get actually get to know them a little bit (or at least we get that feeling). They are at ease, relaxed, and there is a palpable trust between the photographer and his subjects. He is clearly one of them and fully accepted in their midst. The back flap tells us that Sturges received (a.o.) a BA in in Perceptual Psychology and Photography. After viewing his work that's no surprise, he clearly deserves it. Without his psychological insight, we would 'just' be looking at technically perfect photos, which might eventually become boring for non-photographers. Fortunately, that's not the case here, this book will remain interesting time after time, and it will be viewed again and again. The title is very well chosen, and it actually says in two words what I'm trying to bring across here. My advice (no surprise here): buy the book; it is a great investment. Don't forget to read the introduction by Elisabeth Beverly; it explains very well what this work is all about. One other tip: don't hide the book! I keep it (along with his other books) on a visible place in my library or even on the table if I happen to be viewing it (again). If people raise an eyebrow or criticise it, I gladly explain what the true essence is (apart from the enjoyment of beautiful aesthetic art of course). That's not the nudity, which is just a logical consequence of the true freedom and the natural, slow-paced lifestyle these people have managed to find and maintain. No small matter in a stressful, noisy, and aggressive world where materialism seems to rule, and many people are living their life in a way they feel 'society' expects from them. Often they hardly know who they are anymore, since they made themselves into a clone of others in their peer-group (who did just the same). Fortunately, a friend introduced me to naturism when I was eighteen, soon to discover it's nothing like people who don't know it make it out to be. I only regret I didn't get the chance to discover it sooner, as a child. You can't discover freedom, innocence, friendship, trust, beauty, and in a word - the true essence of life - soon enough, now can you? In my view, this book (as well as 'Last days of Summer') depicts exactly that, in a beautiful way. Enjoy it, cherish it and live it if you can. You won't regret it, I promise!
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Summary: Totally Soothing
Review: Beautiful portraits presented innocently which convey a sense of peace and comfort. I found myself viewing innocence itself in a drastically different way. Greatly looking forward to Jock's next project
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Summary: sunny innocents growing up and developing new family ties
Review: Before reading this review or this book, please be aware that it contains many consensual nude images of male and female children in family settings. This book would not be able to get an "R" rating if it were a motion picture. If such things are offensive, read no further. Jock Sturges is creating a time-lapse view of a handful of familes. This book is the second in the series, following the superb work called The Last Day of Summer. In this book, most of those who posed for the photographs were asked to describe the experience. Here are a few quotes from what they said: "We are not naked for the pictures, we are naked for the summer, and because we are alive." "We are in the places we love, and Jock comes and joins us for a while." "This I enjoy." "In these pictures, we're Jock's people." "Jock is the artist and we're his collaborators. Each year we get to help make art." The images are done with a large format camera and reproduced in gelatin silver prints. The models often help set up the equipment and suggest scenes to shoot. Mr. Sturges takes photographs each year, and publishes them. From these images, you can see the subtle changes in the person, how their relations grow with siblings, friends and parents, and the inner core of the person that is unchanging. His subjects are people who regularly practice naturism in Europe and the United States. So he is capturing them as they would normally be. Taken outdoors usually, the images can acquire an almost lyrical quality. One image in this book deserves special mention. I think it is the best I have seen of Mr. Sturges's work. The image is of Alisa, Christina, Misty Dawn, and Teresa in Northern California in 1993. It shows the young women lolling on misty rocks just above the boiling ocean looking ever so much like self-absorbed versions of the mythical sirens, but with the ease and comfort of sunning sea lions. It is an extraordinary vision of natural joy. Here are many of my favorites from this remarkable volume: Unless otherwise noted, you should assume that these were shot in Montalivet, France. Francois 1992; Raphaelle 1993; Bettina 1993; Marine et Maia 1991; Raphaelle, Celine, Alysha et Danielle 1993; Marine 1993; Tamara 1993; Arianne et Sa Mere 1989; Francois et Adrian 1993; Danielle 1991; Danielle, Oud Heusden, The Netherlands 1992; Marine, Clermont-Ferrand, France 1989; Laurel, Northern California 1992; Brooke, Northern California 1992; Cecile 1993; Arianne 1991; Hanneke 1992; Mike and Chicken, Northern California 1993; Christina, Northern California 1993; Danielle, Oud Heusden, The Netherlands 1993; Laura et Lou 1992; Marie et Bettina 1992; Leaham and Layla, Southern Oregon 1981; Maia 1991; Maia et Marine 1993; Brooke, Northern California 1985; Jessie, Northern California 1985; Misty Dawn, Northern California 1991. After you finish enjoying these tender images, I suggest that you give everyone in your family a camera and go on an annual photo shoot. Although you cannot hope to match Jock Sturges, these images will evoke many happy memories in years to come. Let the sun shine through!
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Summary: Great book ... I can hardly wait for the movie!!
Review: Even though this was a great book, I prefered "Last Days of Summer". The photography was very good. The subject matter were GREAT!
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Summary: An archivist rather than an artist...
Review: I read Mr. Sturges' book based on the recommendation of a friend, and I must say that I was a tad disappointed. While he is a very good photographer, Sturges' work has a journalistic or photo essay quality about it that drains much of the artistry out of it. Or if it is artistry, one must ask what Sturges is attempting to portray with these bleak photos of mostly bored or depressed looking people. All in all, I must say that if you are looking for a lesson in photo essay techniques, this is a good book. If you are looking for more artistic and uplifting works about a similar theme, however, I would recommend the works of David Hamilton.
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Summary: Radient Identities
Review: I think that this is a really good book! The images are truly art: they are by no means pornography. There are pictures of similar nature on the internet. The question I pose is what is considered pornography and what isn't. If there is sexually explicit content then it has, in my opinion, crossed the line, especially where minors are concerned. The young human body is a beautiful form of God-made nature. It's beautiful in the same way trees, land scapes, flowers, animals, the stars and moon are or any other thing in creation. This book brings out nature just like Ansel Adams brings out nature. The prints themselves are of very good quality. I wouldn't mind being a subject of one of his art works. I also would like to see more books with natural poses rather then model poses. Anyhow, this is a great book, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates art and nature.
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Summary: artistical depiction of youth and beauty
Review: I've read so much about Mr. Sturges work that my curiosity wasgrowing until I've seen "Last Days of Summer" in anoffline-store - and I decided not to buy it. This book was announcedby Mr. Sturges as the first book he was able to set up in the way he have had intended his work - to show a kind of "change in time", so I've bought it. My feelings are still mixed - all the beauties are in the best sense artistically perfect photographed, no flaws, and they're beautyful in their youth ... but (may be it's my fault) I'm unable to see behind the plain surface of the pictures. It looks for me like the old tintypes set up in a studio, everything well arranged - "don't move! " and click. Life is another thing.
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Summary: Sturges' Aesthetic Wave Length
Review: In Radiant Identities, Jock Sturges conveys the experience of pure existence on a very high aesthetic wave length. This may explain why some people are extremely uplifted by his simplicitous settings and the magic stares of his posers. This may as well explain why other viewers get intense adverse reactions or just don't get it at all! The aesthetic wave length is not experienced by one and all. Some people hate classical music and some find it boring. This has to do with a clash of wavelengths and NOTHING to do with the validity or quality of a work - especially as a work lives on from century to century! In this aspect, Sturges' art is legitimately awe inspiring and capable of sending the viewer on an endlessly expanding wave of mystery and beauty. But it was ALL DONE WITH NO PROPS! no gimmickry, no explanation. Everything stripped away to its pure essences. It's pure energies. Hustler, Playboy, et al DO NOT achieve this wavelength but aim with the intention to titillate. The erotic aspect of nudity, when delivered on an aesthetic wave is more spiritual, innocent and healthy for society: IT INSPIRES! If someone doesn't get what I'm saying, well, I understand. They're reception is simply blocked.
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Summary: Beauty
Review: It is obvious that both Jock Sturges and David Hamilton have a very strong appreciation for that youthful beauty that people can only possess during a brief moment in their lives. These two photographers caught their subjects during that transient period in their lives when that particular beauty is present in those same subjects. Through their photographs, they were able to preserve this wonderful moment, where the human body is at its most attractive. I recommend this book for those who have an appreciation for this fleeting type of physical attractiveness.
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