OREGON, MY OREGON :: Photo Cascadia

I haven't had the chance to see every state, but Oregon is certainly at the top of my list of most beautiful and favorite places to go. I've always dreamed of living there one day and I jumped on the chance to get an early peek at Photo Cascadia's Oregon, My Oregon: Land of Natural Wonders. Photo Cascadia is a collective of seven photographers who live in the Pacific Northwest who have dedicated themselves to showcasing the natural beauty of the PNW while encouraging stewardship and conservation efforts. With Oregon, My Oregon they have certainly done beautiful justice to the state and all its varied wonder.

I saw an advanced copy of the book and can't wait to get the final edition to see these photos in all their glory. They are swoon-worthy in e-format.

I recently returned from a drive up to the Bend area and back and seeing some of this gorgeous landscape in person is always a treat. This book will be a reminder of past treks and help plan future adventures.

I enjoyed the tone set by Nicholas Kristof's Foreword.  It is obvious he loves Oregon and its multitude of landscapes (mountain, desert, lake, sea, rock formations to keep us rock nerds happy forever), people and pastimes. But after listing the state's positive characteristics, he also addresses some difficulties of the past and present. No state is perfect (they are full of people, how could they be?), but Oregon has much to offer.

The photos are taken of all different areas of Oregon at varying times of the day and year. In this picture to the right, seeing snow on the mountains while the leaves change below is a beauty it's hard to imagine is real. And rocks? Oregon has rocks and rock formations galore.

A favorite of mine is Haystack (below), which is on the coast and one of those landmarks that always seems recognizable, even when pictured by itself, which is pretty amazing for a rock.

I highly recommend this lovely table book whether you are an Oregon denizen, a prior visitor, or someone looking for fantastic nature photos while thinking of planning any future trips. It's tough to beat a place you can ski, mountain climb, beach comb, paddleboard, hike, rock climb, visit national forests and lava formations, or kayak through the middle of downtown (Bend). Oregon, My Oregon makes me wish Oregon was mine.

SHOW ME THE PICTURE :: Amelia Davis

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

Music fans may not realize they know Jim Marshall's photographs, but odds are they have been wowed by his iconic work. From his legendary shot of Johnny Cash "giving one" (i.e., the finger) to the warden before his 1969 concert at San Quentin Prison (purportedly the most bootlegged photograph ever) to a portrait of Miles Davis hanging in Obama's White House, Marshall is known as "the chronicler of rock royalty."

Jim Marshall: Show Me the Picture: Images and Stories from a Photography Legend is a beautifully bound and slip-covered volume of almost 300 glossy pages showcasing hundreds of Marshall's images, marked-up contact sheets, short essays and a brief story of his colorful and tragic life. Marshall respected his subjects--gaining him unparalleled insight and access--whom he captured, almost impossibly, without cropping or added lighting. The power leaps from Marshall's photographs like Peter Frampton in flight.

STREET SENSE: Music and photography fans will love this collection. Essays by those who knew rock 'n' roll, jazz and civil rights photographer Jim Marshall are woven throughout glossy pages displaying his celebrated images. Great holiday gift.

COVER NERD SAYS: A beautiful hard binding in a slipcover makes this book extra classy. The circle is a cut-out that allows the Frampton jump photo of the actual cover to take center stage. The balance and placement of the title and artist's name are bold and legible and yet the photo is still the eye-catcher. Well done and fitting to Marshall's work.