Estan Cabigas

A day before my flight from Manila to Bohol, I passed by a bargain book stand at Market! Market! and just saw this little book, the paperback edition, entitled Walker Evans The Hungry Eye. I’m not so familiar with this great photographer. What I do know of his work was when he was commissioned by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) during the Great Depression to document the people in the Southern States.

From what I’ve scanned, his photography is just phenomenal and very interesting. I especially liked the architectural photographs that reminded me of the later works by notable American photographers a few decades later, The New Topographics. Now this book is keeping me company during my travels and inspiring me to shoot.

After finding the contemporary photography book Blink and Nan Goldin’s Devil’s Playground from a bargain book shop, here comes another big and rare (as far as Manila is concerned) find: Mary Ellen Mark: Exposure book!

When I found this one, I was just amazed and decided to get it right there and then. Just imagine, one of documentary photography’s respected artist with her compilation of 134 iconic and stunning images spanning 4 decades including known works especially Indian Circus, Falkland Road and Twins.

Mary Ellen Mark’s Exposure book includes an afterword written by the photographer and gives one a glimpse into her art and inspiration.

I have seen this book previously, in fact, a few years ago sold at one of the big bookstores in Metro Manila. However, I missed this one that time. Lately, I have found wonderful books at a bargain bookstore where I got my Nan Goldin and it was also the place where I bought Blink. (Photography).

Its a big book consisting of 100 up and coming photographers (circa 2002) from different styles from around the world chosen by 10 curators and gives a snapshot of the world of contemporary photography. From fashion to photojournalism. From art to digital photography, it showcases the different ideas, approaches and techniques. The curators also selected 10 writers whose work range from fiction to theory and have touched a chord with their experience.

A wonderful book that is still relevant today.