"Beautiful","Wonderful","Oh, Wonderful!" . . .these are merely a few of the remarks which were uttered by our loved ones upon launching the impressive hardcover publication - Light wracking: Reflections about the Imperiled Everglades, by Joel Curzon. The comprehensive networking with many scientists and specialists shows from the essay he made to go together with his photographs.
This gorgeous photographic party of the Florida Everglades (USA) is, in part, a tribute to the writer's deceased brother that provoked those around him to find the wonder in the best detail. Joel uses logos in such a way as to inspire readers to actually SEE what his photos show. The book itself can be striking, heavy weight, fantastic quality and a huge coffee table book size of 10.5 X 13.25 inches.
There are approximately 20 pages, generally, of text that's split up into segments in throughout the publication, like where Joel explains his solo excursions throughout the everglades through the last few years along with his need to take part in the security of their environment and state his amazement of this everglades' motto. His article about the environment - how it was formed, the men and women who have employed the region and how it has transformed through the years to what we see now - is very intriguing. On pages 170-171 readers will find info on success stories of ecological attempts and current threats to the region. The book opens with organizations and resources with links to the Florida Everglades. Sometimes the writers writing can look a little wordy - so do not anticipate light-reading material. Obviously one can certainly enjoy this publication based on the pictures alone.
The dream-like lightening strikes, algae-streaked wildlife, comprehensive shots of scales, feathers, leaves, fauna and parallel sheets of falling rain are sure to evoke reverence in the reader. Have a look at the reflective raindrops (among my favorites) and the startlingly elaborate design of this blue eyes of the white ibis. Tree snails that seem like jewellery, snakes which look like they have been coated with shellac, stunning shots of turtles highlighting their eyes and layouts... Birds, butterflies and grasshoppers so vibrant they seem like they had been dunked into a box of melting crayons.
The retail cost is $60 (US) but provides 320 pages of full colour photography to the Nature and Environment genre fans. Printed in China (which raises the ecological footprint of the publication ) it is made in hard cover format, cloth bound, using a slipcover coat. Just 1 photograph appears to have been modified and one other photo was out of a contributor - nevertheless the rest of the images are the first works of Joel Curzon.