Michael Ast

… and just like that, FW Books presents a masterpiece … Nicole Jean Hill’s edit of one incredible unknown photographer’s pictures – Lora Webb Nichols – an archive spanning almost 50 years 1899-1948, all made in Wyoming, where she lived since her early teens. Hill’s edit is impeccable, the fluidity of its sequence showcases Nichols’ obvious passion for photography, the love, above all, for the medium in its ability to render moments in iconic stature, technically and compositionally flawless, yet with a humbleness that allows the subject and their peripheral environment to speak ultimately to the viewer. At least that’s how I see things after the first couple passes. No need to even mention the mechanical challenges Nichols surmounted with box cameras of the day, slow film, capturing sometimes very fleeting moments – ie. front cover image!!! Not one for declaring favorite books of the year, but I’d say 2021 just witnessed it, as this may also be arguably one of the most eloquently crafted photobooks of the past decade or three. Beautifully printed, the mechanics left in the hands of designer – yet again – Hans Gremmen at FW. Another book falling in the lap to reignite the lust for making pictures. What else may come of Nichols’ archive, imagining the monumental feat Hill met with such a consummate photographer’s archive. Get this book. (Pardon quick phone snaps, meant only to show a few frames, clearly not depicting layout of spreads, singular pages well, etc… Subliminally, I realize I left out some of the book’s greatest surprises)

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