Jock Sturges: Life Time [Anglais] [Relié]

This Sturges' book is incredibly stunning. I'd not seen any of his colour photography, save for a few that appear in Aperture's 'Notes'. That was a much smaller book (in terms of its physical dimensions) and was seemingly a reflexive piece, exposing the conditions and processes that develop his work.

This work, Life Time, is MASSIVE! It is a collection of colour images that include many familiar models. There is an intimate, longitudinal aspect which is characteristic of Sturges' oeuvre.

Fans of Sturges will be familiar with the powerful, luminous quality of his black and white images. His colour photography is just as remarkable in that regard, if not more, than his black and white work. The quality of these reproductions is incredible and the publishers should be commended for producing such a magnificent collection.

If you're reading this then I assume you're probably somewhat interested in Sturges. Make haste in getting yourself a copy but be prepared to have your breath taken.

This book in my opinion is one of Jock Sturges' best collections, if not the best (or at least it might be my favorite). Yes, his black and whites are excellent but I think his work is even better in color like in this book. He should do more in color in the future. And like in his other works the models are nudes (young girls mostly; but also female teens, women and a couple of boys).

My only complaint about "Life Time" is the size of the book... it's huge, doesn't fit easy or properly on your bookshelf (might not even be able to put it on your bookshelf). But don't let that be a deterent from buying it.

Fans of Misty Dawn who has featured heavily in is other books/collections might be dissapointed here as she only appears in one picture. This is probably due to the fact that he released a book devoted souly to her just last month (so Misty Dawn fans might want to check out that one, "Misty Dawn: Portrait of a Muse"). I myself am not that big of a fan of hers, I think other models Mr. Sturges has used in the past and in this book ("Life Time") are better. Infact I think she's become less beautiful as she's entered her 20's.

My favorite model/subject found in "Life Time" is Adele, with the picture of hers I like best on page 146 (the one on page 145 is a close second). She's a very beautiful girl and appears quite comfortable in front of the camera. If Jock does another book devoted to a single model he should use her. I suggest "Adele: Portrait of a Muse II".

Another natural in front of the camera is Megan-Tara, my second favorite model in this book (she features heavily in this one like Adele, infact she's the younger girl on the cover). The picture of her I like best is on page 164, though all are good. Other models I enjoyed in this book are Ella, Cassandre, and Eva.

One more suggestion to Mr. Sturges is he should consider a book of photos devoted to male subjects as that would offer some variety (his subjects are female 95% of the time thus far). Maybe that could be his next book, followed closely by one devoted to Adele.

If you're a fan of Jock Sturges, then be sure to buy "Life Time". It's a must have and will be a very welcome addition to your collection.

Sturges has a unique talent for bringing his subjects to life on the printed page. Sometimes, he focuses on the single figure: a solemn child with skinned knee, coltish teen, or adult in the full bloom of her beauty. Other times, he sets his model against a glowing sky or evocative shore. Most of these photos present two or more subjects. That creates contrasts that I find an endless source of wonder. The figures of different ages stand out most obviously. Lingering over a group, however, reveals individual differences that I find more interesting, things I might never have noticed seeing each model in isolation. The most striking sets, however, might be those of a single model, taken ad different times. One series featuring Adèle shows this most clearly - photos from 2005, 2006, and 2007 show her starting the voyage to the adult beauty that surely lies ahead for her.

Like that cover photo, many of these pictures express familial love that I find deeply touching. They seem to reflect Sturges's own affection for his models, and their comfort and trust in front of his camera. Far beyond mere respect for his subjects, that friendship with them distinguishes his work from any other I know.

-- wiredweird