A Book for John Claridge?

John Claridge, Sweet kiosk, Spitalfields 1967. "See my reflection in this picture. She was so proud. Afterwards, she and her friends came out to be photographed." (Text courtesy spitalfieldslife.com, which just put up another new post of John Claridge's East End work today.)

I received this comment this morning from Jan Davis for the 'John Claridge and William Gedney' post:

I am so pleased that your wonderful website has picked up on John's wonderful pictures of the East End. I was lucky enough to be his Producer for a number of years, and was in awe of his talent both in the Advertising Industry and in his personal work. He was never without a camera,and he inspired a generation of Photographers, and still does to this day, both in the U.K. and further afield.

His work on the East End is so important as a history that needs to be kept alive, not only for those of us who were born there, but to future generations. The people living there had many trials and tribulations to face but did so with humour and dignity, which shows so well in John's pictures.

As we all feel, now is the time for a book of all these powerful images, so that they will forever remain as a tribute to a generation gone by. John had a very special place in their hearts and they let him into what would have been a very private place.

So I just wanted to say that...I'll help. Especially if the book is a proper monograph with good reproductions. TOP has had good success helping to publicize selected photo books in the past*, and also in helping to publicize Kickstarter projects, including a couple of book projects.

Just so you know, John and Jan.

Mike

*Although I don't seem to have been doing a whole lot with photo books recently, have I? Hmm. I'll have to see about that.

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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[ctsc]

Mike,

One thing I would be interested in (as I would imagine other TOP readers would be) is a photobook of reader submitted work. Curated by yourself, and the printing handled by Ctein. Might be more trouble than you'd like, but it might make economic sense for you.

[Scott Hughes]

I would love to support a Kickstarter project to get a book published

[A]

I already want to order it.

[Jeffrey Goggin]

If only for my sake, please go slowly with recommending any photo books. I've successfully addressed my "GAS" symptoms, but am still wrestling with "BAS" and need all the help I can muster...

[Mike Johnston]

Jeffrey,
Unfortunately for you I am a BPE (book purchase enabler). [g]

Mike

[Tony Collins]

John's East End photos deserve to be published at least as much as those by some lady from Chicago. Perhaps it can be arranged for them to turn up at a garage sale?

[MJFerron]

After viewing this photo I had to go look at the rest. Wow. Very impressive work. Today's B&W's really don't have the same charm. The grain and tones contribute all the more to these vintage shots. Remember when Bob Seger sang today's music ain't got the same soul? Well these photos sing out the same song to me.

[Paul Amyes]

Nooooo don't do anything about books my bank balance can't stand it! Every time yo wax lyrical about a book I end up buying it.

[Ann]

Too many books, too few bookshelves but yes..I would be interested.

[John Scarbro]

Mike
It's good to see John Claridge getting some publicity.
He has produced 6 self published limited edition books including one of his east end prints.
In 1992 I went to his exhibition of east end prints 'Warm in the Shadows Cold in the Sun' at the RPS.
We chatted about his portraits of jazz musicians. His studio was next door to Ronnie Scott's in Soho. I said I was taken with his portrait of Chet Baker and would like to buy a print.
The prints were not for sale at the time, but he asked for my address.
The following week I received a signed copy of his book One Hundred Photographs which included the Chet Baker photo. Still my most treasured book.

[John Slaytor]

Hi Mike

I have a book that's looking for a home... a book of the train commuters you have previously featured.

The link below is to flash movie of the book so I hope iPad and iphone users have iMacs.

http://www.johnslaytor.com/commuter-book.html

Drop me a line if you think it has potential.

The economics are interesting. Publishing this book would cost about $10 (print run of 1000) but it would have to be distributed from the US (any parcel I send from Australia to the US attracts a $9 security levy..ouch.).

[Mike Johnston]

John,
I'd buy it. My impression of the manque is that it's a little too diffuse...I count 72 images and I think it might be stronger if you could get it down to around 50 or so. Just my impression after virtually paging through it....

One solution might be placing a gallery show and getting the gallery to publish a catalog. Again, just a thought.

Mike

[fotoralf]

"She was so proud."

Yes, there were times, when people were proud, or at least pleased, when someone took their photograph.

Photographers were the nice guys with a camera and not potential paparazzi or child molesters.

Gone forever, I'm afraid. Gone are the times when Cartier-Bressons, Doisneau and all the others could happily snap away in the public space. Replaced by mistrust, 'concerns' about 'privacy' and downright hostility.

The next Cartier-Bresson will have to make do with pot flowers, food or landscape, provided it's devoid of people or trademarked items.

Pity really.

[Bill Mitchell]

Just received the William Gedney book an hour ago. Worth every nickel of the $99 used book price -- still, that's a lot of moola.
The pictures are absolutely GORJESUS! Unfortunately many of them are "Lost in the Gutter, (Google article on this abomination by Mike Johnston, 2004).
Even a brief look-through makes me want to load up an M3 with Tri-X, and get out there!
I can hardly wait to read the text.