TOP Photobook of the Year 2015

This post is a mere prelude. I'm just not ready to write at length about Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath yet. The only thing I know definitely is that this is my favorite photobook this year.

The reason I can't write about it yet is that it's so incredibly rich. I just haven't been able to digest it all yet, despite having paged lovingly through the magnificent reproductions about six times, half of those occasions in the company of spellbound friends. It's about five books in one: a lovely monograph of Heath's emotionally glowing, humane, deeply affecting best work; a long, detailed, eloquent and articulate text about this little-celebrated, under-the-radar master; a "replica" book reproducing an unpublished manqué as Heath had wanted it to appear; a full retrospective, including his beginnings, his distinct later period, and his color work; and it even—get this, APUGgers!—a section on Heath's darkroom practices and mastery as an interpretive printer, showing "straight" full frames and how they evolved into highly realized—and much more beautiful—photographs. I think it would be worth buying for any one or two of these various aspects; with all of that in one volume, it makes me want to buy three copies and sleep with one under my pillow. And put another in a safety-deposit box.

I'm going to write more about this book as the next couple of months wear past, but I needed to mention it now for anyone who might want to know what our BotY is in time for Christmas.

Whatever else it's got, this book is full of heart. Absolutely a masterpiece. Just a glorious, beautiful book, genuinely moving as well as thoroughly enjoyable. I absolutely love it.

As the saying goes: "If you buy only one book this year...."

(This link is to Amazon U.S.; Here's the U.K. link; here it is from The Book Depository.)

More about this in due course. I realize you might want to hold off on a purchase decision until I write more, and I'll try to follow through. Apologies for my brevity here.

Mike
(Thanks to Keith)

Original contents copyright 2015 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Adam Weaver: "Having never heard of him, I just typed in his name to browse a few pictures, and to my surprise his 'Multiple, Solitude' exhibit is showing right now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, just down the road from me. I'll definitely go take a look (by myself, as seems appropriate.)"

Mike replies: I didn't know that, thanks. I think I'll go down and see that myself, maybe in January. (The exhibit is up through February 21st.)

Kenneth Tanaka: David Heath is among many photographers mostly active in the 20th century whose horns were rarely heard for various reasons. Sometimes because their work was diffuse. Sometimes because they sought no fame or no representation. Sometimes because they were just OK.

"I think David spans the first two categories. He clearly got his work in front of the in-crowd. But perhaps he was not much of a self-promoter? I knew that my own museum (the Art Institute of Chicago) has some of his prints because one is a very locally revered portrait of Hugh Edwards, the founder of the museum's photography collection. And this little girl seems terribly familiar to me, but I didn't know it was Heath's work. Turns out we have over 30 of his prints. I don't recall seeing most of them.

"I've been trying to observe a moratorium on book buying. My library space is filled. But I will make an exception for an extraordinary tome. Exception made for this, Mike.

"Once again I applaud Keith Davis for curating such a show (which I'd love to see). I have never met him but have admired his eye for work that's been overlooked or just plain ignored. I think that museum photo curators are falling prey to the sirens of contemporary art and losing sight of what made photography unique and so strong as a medium. Davis seems always to keep his eye on the ball.

"I'll wait until I see more of Heath's work before offering more thoughts."

Richard: "Nice choice Mike. His 'Carl Dean Kipper, Korea, 1953–54' is one of the most terrific B&W photographs I've ever seen. Love it."

Mike replies: A stone masterpiece, that. Out-of-this-world good. And the amazing thing is, many pictures in the book are on the same level.

Ned: "Timing is everything. Just received a $50.00 Amazon gift card from work."

Jim Hughes: "While searching for something else, I found this quote from Dave Heath in the June, 1965, edition of Popular Photography, one of several brief interviews conducted by Harvey Shaman for a spread titled 'The Turning Point: Eight top pros tell why they chose photography.'

"Said Dave Heath: 'It was about one month before my 16th birthday when I decided to become a photographer. The catalytic agent that brought about this decision was the May 12, 1947, issue of Life containing Ralph Crane's essay, "A Bad Boy's Story." In Mr. Crane's unique visual interpretations, I found portrayed conditions similar to my own life: broken home, foster families, social withdrawal, and life in an orphanage like the one in which I was then living. In that moment of self-awareness, I discovered photography as a direct and moving form of expression.'

"In 1958, Dave, whom I later came to know, joined a number of already accomplished photographers in a unique and aptly named study group, 'Photography Made Difficult,' led by W. Eugene Smith at the New School in New York City. That Dave paid attention can clearly be seen in his deeply nuanced black-and-white prints."

[Our friend Jim was chief editor of Camera 35 and Camera Arts magazines and is the author of the definitive biography of W. Eugene Smith. —Ed.]

dave heath: "Dear Mike. Keith forwarded your response to the book. I am deeply touched by the warm and open thoughts on the work. I would much like to hear your further thoughts when you publish them. Sincerely, Dave Heath."

Comments

[GRJ]

I have learned my lesson: Buy first, ask questions later. I look forward to my humble ed.'s thoughts on this book.

[I can't win here. People have been bugging me to know what the book of the year is. So I'm saying. But I haven't finished writing the article about it yet. This stuff doesn't write itself, you know. Sometimes it takes a while. --Mike]

[Morgan]

I did a quick google search and found out there is currently an exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art until 2/21/2016. Thanks for posting this since I'll now get to see it in person!

[Matthew Speicher]

I imagine you are aware but on the off chance you are not, there is an exhibit of Dave Heath's work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art running until February. See http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/829.html?page=3&events=1

[Chuck Albertson]

"...you need to buy more books!"

[Steve Caddy]

Ok Mike, I trust you.

I've never heard of him or seen a picture, but I just pulled the trigger. If it's even half as good as Here, Far Away I'll thank you later.

[Truls]

Ordered! If you use the promotional code "25OFFBOOK" the price is reduced by $10, valid until december 16th!

[Sixblockseast.blogspot.com]

An exhibit under the same name is currently showing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art:

http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/829.html

[Carl Siracusa]

You might want to mention to TOP readers that the extensive exhibition of Heath's photos that this book is based on is still on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and will be on until Feb. 21.

[Stephen F Faust]

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is currently exhibiting "Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath", now through Feb 2016. (Link here: http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/829.html).

I am lucky enough to live near the museum, and saw the exhibit last weekend. It is fabulous, and I plan to return several more times before it ends. To anyone living near Philly: Don't miss this!

[Peter Wright]

And now on order.

[Ian Land]

My favourite book of the year is Tamas Dezso's Notes For An Epilogue. You can see many of the pictures on his website (http://www.tamas-dezso.com/index.php?page=work&id=10) but I recommend the book, which is very nicely printed, and substantial: http://www.hatjecantz.de/tamas-dezso-6588-1.html

His colour palette is simply beautiful, and the book has a beguiling melancholy and engagement with its subject, rather than the resigned detachment exhibited by so much contemporary photography.

[Bill Mitchell]

Books have gotten TOO expensive!
Okay. With a recommendation like that, I've ordered it.

[Lubo]

According to an entry in the Toronto public library system the exhibit continues late 2016 in Kansas City:

... and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, November, 2016-March, 2017.

[Bill Langford]

As a photo baby in the late 60's, "Dialogue with Solitude" was a powerful moving experience. Twenty something years later I happened to share an elevator with several people. One a big man, with a very quiet and gentle presence. The conversation, as I stepped off the elevator, alerted me too late that the man was Dave Heath. That was twenty something years ago and I wish I could have said thank you.

[André Moreau]

There is an upcoming exhibition of Heath's photographs in Philadelphia.

http://www.loeildelaphotographie.com/2015/09/23/article/159871035/new-york-dave-heath-at-howard-greenberg-gallery/

[Chris Y.]

Any ideas why we have not heard more about him? He is definitely working at the highest level...

[Chas]

Do you get the same sort of spiff from the book depository as you do from Amazon, B&H, et al.?

[Yes --Mike]

[John Krumm]

I sent the link to my wife and hope to see it under the tree. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Tam Hartell]

By all means see the PMA show, but plan to use both of the two days that your ticket for the museum allows. I have so far seen the show two times and still haven't digested everything.

[Huw Morgan]

David seems to have self-published his later work on Blurb: http://www.blurb.ca/bookstore/detail/1265921-eros-and-the-wounded-self

[GRJ]

My comment was intended to be complimentary in at least 3 ways, and critical in zero. 1) I trust your book recommendations even when they are not part of a longer article. 2) Lots of other people trust your book recommendations and sales traffic can leave the latecomer or slow mover without a copy of the book to buy anywhere. I was indecisive about "Here Far Away" and then regretted that because it took so long to come back in stock. 3) I do look forward to reading your thoughts on this particular book -- whenever you post them.

[MikeR]

My wife and I had already planned a trip to The Philadelphia Museum of Art over the holidays. This will sharpen our ... uh ... focus. Looks like this book is the exhibit's catalog.

[Patrick]

What Steve said.

[Andre Y]

You need to be renamed the Book Purchase Enabler. I bought the book too.

[Robin Dreyer]

The name Keith Davis will always hook me.

[Carl Weese]

When I was about 16 and into total involvement with photography, my Aunt Alice (mother's elder sister) who had previously never mentioned any interest in photography, astonished me by mentioning that she had taken the 'photography made difficult' class with Smith. I'm still astonished, actually.

[Tom]

It looks like we've exhausted the UK supply, mine's coming from the US. It would be interesting to know if we cause a blip in the sales! Mike's always been reliable in the past so I'll take a punt too and give TOP a little boost at the same time.

Mike, did you ever finalise your thoughts on Lynsey Addario's It's What I Do?