Radius Books has continually published outstanding monographs since its inception only a few short years ago. Their new title,
Shoshone Falls with photographs by Timothy H. O'Sullivan and Thomas Joshua Cooper, allows the viewer to engage with two seminal photographers photographing in the same place. Maybe it is the medium, the place or just simply the approach each photographer has, but these images feel timeless and O'Sullivan's influence on Cooper is prevalent throughout the book.
Timothy O'Sullivan has got to be one of the most influential landscape photographers. The recent survey of his work published by Yale University Press entitled
Framing the West was a phenomenal and informative perspective on his work. My time spent working at the New Mexico History Museum's Photographic Archive allowed me the opportunity to sift through many of his photographs taken during the U.S. Geographical Survey, and gave me an expanded view into the history and importance of O'Sullivan. This is a photographer who has since stayed in my mind space and is one I continually find enjoyable to read on and learn more about.
When I found out earlier this year
Radius was publishing a book with O'Sullivan's work along with that of Cooper's, I immediately reserved a copy for myself. Cooper's images in his monograph
True captivated me, and brought me back to viewing black and white landscape photography. I had become swayed by the allure of contemporary color work, but
True changed that - and I once again became interested in the simplicity and beauty that black and white landscapes can offer.
A lot of photographers have been taking long exposures of seascapes and water - it seems to be a trend as of recent. Coopers images are different than most - they exist in a timeless manner, not as a trend that will eventually pass. The design of this book along with the elegance of the photographs is exquisite and well deserving of the work of both O'Sullivan and Cooper. This is a book I have yet to see much attention payed to, but it certainly deserves a good look.
Purchase a signed copy of the book
here.
