Rating: 
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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Depiction of Life
Review: M. Sturges captures the fleeting youth of all of us. We should not forget this "Age of Innocence," as it were. The artistic eye with coöperation of his subjects makes an excellent publication.
Rating:
Summary: These are thoughtful, mature, artistic photographs.
Review: Many of us have now acquired visual sophistication. Given the present day bombardment (family snap shots and home candid photos; news photos; photo advertising; television and movie special effects; Internet graphics; pop art and op-art; magazine and pulp layouts, and displays) the genre's of portrait and art photography may seem slow, dull and unexciting. Sturges' work shows that, using the simple elements of photography (light, shadow, curve, angle, foreground, background, space and juxtaposition) robust and clear visually centered experiences are yet possible.This collection of black & white photographs by Jock Sturges is quick and alive. His images step to the viewer with boldness, balance, and firmness. Both the eye and the mind are challenged to carefully examine every aspect of each view presented. There is power and there is elegance throughout the book from the very first image: We approach the photographer's outdoor studio from a great distance. There is an opening landscape showing an undefined space where heaven and earth, sky and ocean, sand and cloud are mixed, yet free-standing. Sturges later presents an incredible portrait/landscape extending the space between four nude, human figures, while maintaining their identity as a family group. Each person (two women, one man, one boy) is distinct both from the land and from the group that are the background and context providing definition; and we see five portraits within a portrait. The land and sky and sea, then, is the fifth member of the family group. A second portrait of this group shows one of the women standing against what appears to be a large disk (a photographer's sun reflector). Now, we are closer to the full nude figures of the two women and adult male. The young boy seems tucked away in a treasure nook just between and below the two females. The viewer is now drawn and brought so near, we are the fifth person of the family circle. The achievement, here, cannot be credited to accident, chance, or luck. ! Throughout the work, artistic elements are seen that must be attributed to the knowledge, skill, maturity and tastefulness of the photographer. Many excellent group pieces show the photographer as expert in composition. For example, there is one piece displaying a group of six females standing and seated on the front porch of a house, with a boy standing in the shadows of the open door. There is a wonderful image of four women lying in the sun. Another shows mother and daughter with others arranged upon a rock. "François et Adrian" is an unforgetable masterpiece evoking both El Greco and Michelangelo. It shows two nude boys, holding hands, alone together on the beach. Startling accents appear through the shadows that fall upon their bodies; and the shadows cast by their bodies provide strong elements of color and rhythm. A three-dimensional effect appears through the boy on the right. The line of his right leg appears as much as 75 percent of the figure's total measure. A rich detail is seen in the cupped hand of the boy on the left. Their clasped hands establish a peculiar center for the piece; the fingers alternately appear separated by light and darkness. Bodies are a major focus of these photographs-faces may express annoyance, indifference, warning, or disinterest. There are no instances where the nudity seems forced or unnatural; yet, there are places where it is difficult to believe that clothing could diminish the impact, or detract anything from the overall statement of the piece. Several pieces directly communicate very great sexual energy and power. Some even show figures with tans so burnished and beautiful that the bodies appear to glow. Nevertheless, these are not the photos of a sunbather magazine or naturist newsletter. These are not the photos of sex sell and pornography. These are thoughtful, mature, artistic photographs. Jesus is the Lord.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and breathtaking
Review: Mr. Sturges has given us all a medium through which we can appreciate the human form in its purest form. How beautiful, delicate and perfect are his subjects.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Great Portrait Photographers
Review: Of the visual arts, I probably enjoy photography more than any. In particular, I love portraiture, which is probably why I like photographers like Jock Sturges and Mary Ellen Mark who excel at this. They are invariably able to find interesting subjects and to photograph them in unique and beautiful ways. I am also fond of the black and white format usually used by Sturges and Mark which keeps the focus on the figures themselves as opposed to something garish they are wearing or the color of their surroundings. With the photographs in Radiant Identities Sturges seems to be experimenting. Many of my favorite themes in Sturges' work are here. He has "family groups"--sisters, brothers, parents & children. My favorites of these are the "generational" pictures: where we see a child and an adult who mirror each other as if we are seeing the future of the child. But there are also some pictures here that have no similarity with any of his other work. There are surprises. Of course, Sturges photographs mainly nudes and is probably best known for the controversy surrounding his nude photographs of young girls. There is no denying the erotic power of some of his pictures but Sturges is no pornographer. He is able to capture so much more. The arrangement of the figures tells us something (as in the "generational" pictures) and I am often surprised at how drawn I am to the eyes of his models and to the careful arrangement of the hair. He is an artist of uncommon skill and I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Great Portrait Photographers
Review: Of the visual arts, I probably enjoy photography more than any. In particular, I love portraiture, which is probably why I like photographers like Jock Sturges and Mary Ellen Mark who excel at this. They are invariably able to find interesting subjects and to photograph them in unique and beautiful ways. I am also fond of the black and white format usually used by Sturges and Mark which keeps the focus on the figures themselves as opposed to something garish they are wearing or the color of their surroundings. With the photographs in Radiant Identities Sturges seems to be experimenting. Many of my favorite themes in Sturges' work are here. He has "family groups"--sisters, brothers, parents & children. My favorites of these are the "generational" pictures: where we see a child and an adult who mirror each other as if we are seeing the future of the child. But there are also some pictures here that have no similarity with any of his other work. There are surprises. Of course, Sturges photographs mainly nudes and is probably best known for the controversy surrounding his nude photographs of young girls. There is no denying the erotic power of some of his pictures but Sturges is no pornographer. He is able to capture so much more. The arrangement of the figures tells us something (as in the "generational" pictures) and I am often surprised at how drawn I am to the eyes of his models and to the careful arrangement of the hair. He is an artist of uncommon skill and I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: great work
Review: One of Jock's great work. All in B&W. I am looking forward to more books in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found this book of photographs by Jock Sturges very disappointing. The photos were dull and lifeless, and the subjects very ordinary. I was not "disturbed" or "challenged" by this series of photos as I assumed I was supposed to be by Jock's photography. In fact, it wasn't interesting at all.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: please just buy this book immediately. it's so amazing, i've never seen anything like this. i just bought this and 'last days of summer' and they are both great. there are so many great photographs, especially the ones of misty dawn (the girl on the cover). i am a 20 year old college student and unfortunately i have to keep the books hidden for fear that a room-mate might find it offensive, but it's still great.
Rating:
Summary: A search for the fountain of youth.
Review: Radient Identities, is an excelent book of art, it captures the endless quest for the fountain of youth. Jock Sturges (a true pioneer) has overcome many legal issues involving this quest. His work of art proves it, and his models are forever etched in stone. Even though I'm concerned with graphic content, I dont see anything in his art work that would leave leave me to believe, that it would leave any terrible ever lasting impressions on anyone. However, if your not carefull, it might just leave you a small craving to be young again. His models, (mostly) young boys and girls are rather innocent in their own right, their persona is more of beauty then bewildered. The aging process is more that of a timeless masterpiece then a simple photo. And behind the camera, Mr. Sturges is more of a time keeper than that of a simple man. (hats of to "Radint Identities," & "The Last Days of Summer."
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