Mile o’ Mud: The Culture of Swamp Buggy Racing
By Malcolm Lightner (Author/Photographer); Padgett Powell (Intro)
To visit Naples, Florida, today with its million dollar homes and sophisticated city vistas, one would never suspect that its early settler days were wild and colorful. Florida’s frontier heritage is kept alive each year with swamp buggy races at Florida’s Sports Park.
You might wonder what is a swamp buggy. Well, it is part boat and part dragster that race through a swampy lake spraying muddy water from four foot wheels. Lots of folks come to watch as these custom buggies slog and slosh until the terrain, drivers and many spectators are covered with churned up mud. It is the ultimate celebration of a unique bit of history.
Photographer Malcolm Lightner grew up not far from the original swamp buggy track and has brought this unique celebration and bit of history to life through his fascinating photographs of events, drivers, spectators and the Swamp Buggy Queen.
This is a wonderful book that shares a small slice of Americana through Lightner’s exciting imagery. Makes one want to hop a plane to Naples and join in the fun!
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: powerHouse Books (April 19, 2016)
Language: English
User: All photographers
The Advanced Guide to Photographing Waterfalls and Streams
By Justin Reznick
Whether it’s a drop of water or gigantic waterfall or waves breaking over the edge of a rocky shore, photographing water is exciting and a major challenge. Ideas trip over themselves as one must decide whether to blur or freeze the water, take it in the shade or sun, or do a silhouette. There are many ideas as well as techniques in this book. And, while Mr. Reznick is an advocate of “taking the photograph correctly in the first place”, there also is an excellent section on post production techniques to help bring out the best in the image.
The layout and information in this e-book is outstanding. Mr. Reznick is concise in his explanations of the techniques. The extremely helpful column on the side of the text summarizes the key points of his discussions. Simple ideas, techniques and beautiful presentations make this book easy to use and simply outstanding. Great job!
Highly recommended for all photographers of any level where photographing water beckons.
e-Book: 61 pages
Publisher: Justin Reznick (2012)
Language: English
User: All photographers
Horse/Human: An Emotional Bond
By Bob Tabor
When does a photograph become a sculpture on paper? How does something as beautiful as a horse with muscles rippling and mane and tail flying become something so stunning? In this book, Bob Tabor, an extraordinary photographer, creates images in a minimalistic style that will take your breath away. Whether it is the arch of the neck, a single eye peeking out from under the mane or the entire animal galloping across the page, the images are unbelievable.
Tabor understands photography and has a connection with horses that is unmistakable and obviously quite personal. Whether you are a horse fan or not, you have to look at these photographs and sit back and say “Wow!”
Horse/Human: An Emotional Bond is a beautifully done, keepsake book that will be enjoyed for years.
Hardcover: 184 pages
Publisher: Glitterati; 1 edition (December 3, 2015)
Language: English
User: All photographers and horse enthusiasts
A Century of Progress: A Photographic Tour of the
1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair
By Chicago Tribune Staff (Author), Ron Grossman (Foreword)
In the depths of the “Great Depression”, when over 12 million Americans were out of work and destitute, Chicago became the site of a world’s fair. It was a celebration of the city’s centennial and over 48 million people (out of a population of just over 125 million) flocked to Chicago’s lakefront for this exciting event.
There were a variety of attractions, examples of modern architectural triumphs, and scientific and industrial displays. There was also a “honky-tonk” side to the fair that brought the carnival atmosphere to the event.
Extensively covered by the Chicago Tribune reporters and photographers, this book has many images that have never been seen before. It is a glimpse into a moment in the past.
The images are outstanding and showcase the many aspects of the fair and life. It is an excellent book with a treasure of photographs of a period that brought joy to many during one of the most difficult economic eras in American history. It is a worthy addition to any historian’s library.
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Agate Midway (December 8, 2015)
Language: English
User: All photographers especially those interested in historic photographs
Abandoned Japan
By Jordy Meow
In Japan, the word “haikyo” means ruin. Seeking out abandoned towns, houses, parks and locations has become a hobby of urban exploration by a group of people who call themselves Haikyoists. While there is a sense of quiet desolation, these ruins are not defaced or marred but allowed to quietly slip back in time. The Haikyoists respect the past and want to keep the ruins exactly like they are and therefore the locations are kept secret for the most part.
Photographer Jordy Meow has explored and photographed many of these abandoned locations. There are towns and schools, hospitals and love hotels, and industrial locations such as a mine and even a military base. They are not all terribly old but they have all been abandoned and are in some state of decay. The artifacts in the buildings and many of the structures remain somewhat intact because of the decision to keep their exact where abouts secret.
Meow has produced a stunning and fascinating book of images that tell wonderful stories. Throughout his explorations he has captured and expressed a quiet sense of dignity. The subject matter is not always comfortable but it is remarkable. This is definitely a book that photographers will enjoy and study because of the outstanding quality of the photography.
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Jonglez Publishing (November 16, 2015)
Language: English
User: All photographers and those interested in Japanese ruins
Double Exposure: Civil Rights and the Promise of Equality
By National Museum of African American History and Culture
This small but powerful book is a part of an exciting series that is about the civil rights movement in the United States. The series was put together to celebrate the September 2016 opening of the newly constructed National Museum of African American History and Culture. Several of the books have been previously reviewed by Apogee (Double Exposure: Through the African American Lens and African American Women).
In Civil Rights and the Promise of Equality, the images of the marches, demonstrations, and life during these difficult events are eloquent reminders of how far we have come. We must never forget those brave men and women who stood tall during those difficult times. They were quite remarkable.
As with all of the others in this series, it is thoughtfully done and contains a remarkable collection of historic images. And if you are planning a trip to Washington, DC, you’ll want to be sure to plan a visit to the museum.
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: GILES (July 7, 2015)
Language: English
User: All photographers especially those interested in historic photographs
by Noella Ballenger
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