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ya know,i've seen this book,almost as many times as i've seen quite confusing reports of child pornography.... see,i also know the difference between pornography and the human body.most american('t)s have this wierdness about them that the human body IS pornography,but i wasn't censored on my way out of the womb...however,they DID cover me up,because it was late march,and cold.but that's not the point.the point is you cannot call art pornographic just because you have personal issues with the human body.for pornography,something MUST BE GOING ON.in mr.sturges's photography,there's no movement that you don't create yourself,and that's what makes either art or pornography. incidentally,mr.sturges's model "misty dawn" has so much going on in her eyes,i wrote and recorded a song entitled,"misty dawn",which actually captures what i mean(it's an instrumental).i don't become inspired by porn models,it's just something that doesn't happen....so how do you explain that?

In Radiant Identities, Jock Sturges conveys the experience of pure existence on a very high aesthetic wave length.This may explain why some people are extremely uplifted by his simplicitous settings and the magic stares of his posers.This may as well explain why other viewers get intense adverse reactions or just don't get it at all!The aesthetic wave length is not experienced by one and all.Some people hate classical music and some find it boring. This has to do with a clash of wavelengths and NOTHING to do with the validity or quality of a work - especially as a work lives on from century to century!In this aspect, Sturges' art is legitimately awe inspiring and capable of sending the viewer on an endlessly expanding wave of mystery and beauty.But it was ALL DONE WITH NO PROPS! no gimmickry, no explanation. Everything stripped away to its pure essences. It's pure energies.Hustler, Playboy, et al DO NOT achieve this wavelength but aim with the intention to titillate.The erotic aspect of nudity, when delivered on an aesthetic wave is more spiritual, innocent and healthy for society: IT INSPIRES! If someone doesn't get what I'm saying, well, I understand. They're reception is simply blocked.

I've read so much about Mr. Sturges work that my curiosity wasgrowing until I've seen "Last Days of Summer" in anoffline-store - and I decided not to buy it. This book was announcedby Mr. Sturges as the first book he was able to set up in the way he have had intended his work - to show a kind of "change in time", so I've bought it. My feelings are still mixed - all the beauties are in the best sense artistically perfect photographed, no flaws, and they're beautyful in their youth ... but (may be it's my fault) I'm unable to see behind the plain surface of the pictures. It looks for me like the old tintypes set up in a studio, everything well arranged - "don't move! " and click. Life is another thing.

I read Mr. Sturges' book based on the recommendation of a friend, and I must say that I was a tad disappointed. While he is a very good photographer, Sturges' work has a journalistic or photo essay quality about it that drains much of the artistry out of it. Or if it is artistry, one must ask what Sturges is attempting to portray with these bleak photos of mostly bored or depressed looking people.All in all, I must say that if you are looking for a lesson in photo essay techniques, this is a good book. If you are looking for more artistic and uplifting works about a similar theme, however, I would recommend the works of David Hamilton.

Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found this book of photographs by Jock Sturges very disappointing. The photos were dull and lifeless, and the subjects very ordinary. I was not "disturbed" or "challenged" by this series of photos as I assumed I was supposed to be by Jock's photography. In fact, it wasn't interesting at all.