If you are a large format photographer steeped in the “West Coast” School, you probably know about Ray McSavaney. My guess that he is not that well known by the general photographic world and that is a true shame because the black and white images he made of the natural and urban landscape are sublime. This past week I shared his wonderful book Explorations: A Photographic Journey with my two photography classes. Why? Because I continue to tell my students that they need become more open to the photographic possibilities surrounding them. The problem is that we continuously pass by tremendous beauty and meaningful subject matter on a daily basis without thinking twice, and that’s sad.

Published in 1992, the book was selected by the American Institute of Graphic Arts as “one of the 50 best books of the year”, but it is also one of the best books in my photographic library! A major retrospective of his work up until that time, Explorations includes a wide range of subjects from abandoned industrial sites in Los Angeles, to ancient Anasazi ruins, to pristine landscape scenes in Yosemite. Many would walk by the majority of these wonderful photographic opportunities without a second thought. Fortunately McSavaney did not.

McSavaney is a true master.  Each image is wonderfully seen and exquisitely printed.

Included in this absolutely printed book is a very fine forward by photographer and writer John Nichols and a number of insightful essays by McSavaney himself. Finally, there is a useful technical section describing McSavaney’s tools and methods.

The book can still be purchased new through John Sexton’s website $60. It’s a bargain and would be for twice that amount.

Simply said, this is a book that should be in every photographer’s library.

I am fortunate to own a signed copy. It’s a true treasure that I always will cherish and learn from.