William Eggleston's Guide is a collection of forty-eight photographs taken between 1969 and 1971, depicting people and places around the photographer's hometown of Memphis.
The introduction is something you have to read seated. It's long and necessary, written by John Szarkowky.
This is how the book starts. The first photo's a gentle omen, it prepares you to something I can hardly explain in words.
All the photos are stories out of time, nowhere located. Domestic situations, apparently welcoming, but also tens, unsolved, metaphysics.
Some photos have been taken in the exact same place. The photo with the kids and the bush I showed above, has been taken in the same exact place than the next one. You can also recognize the trees and the bush on the left.
I've always been obsessed with the next photo. There's something magnetic, I can't explain why. Maybe her gaze, her legs, the composition (cut on the feet), her hand gesture.
The surrounding is exactly how should be, looks like everything is in the right place. But there's a weird tension, a vibration.
I'm not superstitious, not even religious, but this photo has something supernatural on me.
Everything is perfect and imperfect at the same time. Sometimes I have the feeling that adding something (or deleting something) to these photographs could destroy everything.
I can't imagine these photos different than how they are, completed and broken.
The next photo reminds me Trent Parke.
All these pictures are part of a universe, the equilibrium of every composition is in fact part of universal equilibrium. Every photo is wisely selected and located in the book.
I add a video to show you the full book.
This is a nice interview to Eggleston
Here you can buy the book
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