Notes Schönes Buch, 25. November 2007

Notes ist mein erstes Buch von Jock Sturges es wurde mir von befreundeten Nudisten und Naturisten empfohlen. Das Buch zeigt die Arbeitsweise von J. Sturges was sehr wichtig ist . Seine Arbeit ist seriös und weckt schöne Erinerungen an meine eigene nudistische Kindheit . Auch wird die Vorfreude auf den nächsten nakidei Sommerurlaub geweckt und gleichzeitig die Wartezeit bis dahin verkürzt. Nicht geeignet ist das Buch für Personen die allgemein ein Problem mit Nacktheit haben und Nudismus und Naturismus ablehnen. Auch Englisch sollte man können um die begleitenden Texte lesen zu können. Mein Urteil :empfehlenswert

       wunderschön wie immer, 30. Dezember 2004

Wer die Bücher von Jock Sturges kennt und gut findet wird auch von diesem Buch restlos begeistert sein.

       'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'...da Vinci, 25. September 2004

Photographer Jock Sturges and publishing house/photo gallery Aperture have collaborated again [The Last Day of Summer 1993, Radiant Identities 1995] to bring us this fabulous new book, 'Notes' [2004]. Here, as with the previous titles, Sturges' work is beautifully reproduced, 50 single black and white page, one colour page, the colour cover photograph and numerous other colour polaroid and digital images scattered throughout the book. But for the first time here, in addition to the work, we are given a glimpse, through statements and comments made by Jock and his subjects, into the working process and to the effect that being photographed by Jock has on the people that appear in his work. These commentaries are rich and rewarding. They open the door a little wider and more light comes flooding out. I have been collecting Jock's photographs and books for over a decade but I think that it is this book that brings me closer to the experience of 'being there' than any of the other Aperture, Scalo or Gakken titles.

Except for one beautiful image of Celie from 1999, all of the work represented in this volume covers the period from 2000-2003. Other 'fans' and collectors might be disappointed to find that there are only three images of Misty Dawn and only one of Fanny. Perhaps with the publication of this book Sturges and Aperture are marking the start of a new chapter by focusing on new and different subjects. Eva, for example the girl on the cover, is featured five times. The reproductions themselves are richer and closer to the luxurient tones of the original prints. The binding is very nice too, no dust sleeve just a print directly onto the hard cover. The technicians and printers at Aperture have done a really good job.

Jock's world is the world of the naturist, those people that feel comfortable and relaxed being naked in situations where other people might feel shy or embarressed. Michelangelo wrote 'What spirit is so empty and blind that it cannot recognise the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe and the skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed'. Jock Sturges seems to be dedicating his life to proving this point and I think that he succeeds, radiantly. The people in his pictures are truely full of grace. And his photographs are a testament to their pure, calm, accepting way of life. These are life affirming images created with love, affection and respect. They prove that Leonardo Da Vinci was right when he said that 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'.