This delightful book arrived a couple of weeks ago courtesy of the inestimable @blackwellbooks. I've been waiting for the release since I first heard about the possibility. It is a brand new book but not brand new content. Rather it is a carefully curated collection of Neill's essays for Outdoor Photographer, the American magazine. There is no explicit linear flow to the book, it is designed to be dipped in and out of and in any sequence. It includes a wealth of experience and guidance but it is definitely not a 'how to' guide. It forms almost a stream of consciousness however and in that frame of mind I read it.
If compiling a list of photography heroes, there wouldn’t be too many names that come immediately to mind but a definite would be William Neill. I’ve said many times that the camera lens works in both directions and the best photographs tell you as much about the photographer as they do about the subject. There are some very fine landscape photographers who, while they make outstanding images, seem to view the landscape as a commodity which can be consumed in their search for subject matter. There are others however, like Neill, who exhibit a profound respect and reverence for the landscape - this shines through the final images in my opinion. The direct lineage back to Ansel Adams is evident in his approach. The book comprises a fine selection of portfolio images that illustrate and support the accompanying words; the images would in my opinion stand alone equally well.
I’d love to spend a day with William Neill, walking, talking and making photographs. Reading this book feels a bit like that. The content ranges from the philosophical to the fine detail and technical approach. It is a pleasure to spend time and hear the perspective of someone who ‘gets it’ in my view. A photographer who is genuinely awestruck at the beauty of nature and appreciates our responsibility to protect it at all costs. The words are inspiring and informative, the images are outstanding.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough.