Elemental by Melanie Collie, 2017
Her work is based in Cornwall and very much reflects the essence of this beautiful part of the world. She says of her work:
“The projects within this book are an effort to capture the essence of change, of making and remaking, of time and tide and the stories they leave behind. Images as moments of calm, in a perpetual flux. It is down to us to slow down, observe, listen and respect the space we have, it was left for me, as I will leave it for others.” (Collie 2017:3).
The book is again a square format but is larger than a previous book I have reviewed here Fragile by Valda Bailey – 24cm rather than 22cm. Interestingly, the additional 2cm makes a difference to the look and feel of the book and for me the larger size works well.
The book has a first page written by Melanie about her project Elemental which is followed by a Foreword written by a photographer Paul Kenny about Collie’s work. Then a further two paragraphs from Collie set to the side of a almost double page image. The book has 64 pages.
The presentation of the images very interesting and varied. As well as the square images set in a white border (about 3cm) there are also those that cover the whole page and sometimes mixed within the double page spread. I find this presentation very aesthetically pleasing. It provides variation for the viewer. There is also a page with four images set within the size of the one image format.
Elemental by Melanie Collie, 2017
Elemental by Melanie Collie, 2017
There are some intentionally blank pages within the book which on the whole work however, I do not like the intentionally blank facing page which disappoints the viewer as there is no image to look at.
I have enjoyed reviewing this book and it has given me lots of ideas for the presentation of my book. I like the larger square format, the varied presentation of images, and particularly the full page images with no border next to the traditional square images with border.
References
Collie, M. 2017. Elemental. Chicago: Triplekite Publishing.
