Seeing the Beauty Around us Through the Eyes of a Photographer
Kevin Pieper's Book, "Connecting with Nature"
Dale and I both are on the mend. Thank goodness for modern day antibiotics that help kick infections a little too ornery for our immune systems to handle on their own. Thank you, dear Living Large community, for the well wishes.
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One of the reasons we moved to this beautiful paradise was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Of course, we do that as often as we can, but when we cannot, we have the wonderful photography of a famous Ozarks photographer, Tim Ernst to enjoy.
Now, however, we also have a wonderful book of photography by Kevin Pieper to enjoy as well. Kevin is the local photographer Mother Earth News hired to photograph Our Little House for the story I wrote for them last year.
On Saturday, we had to get out and do some errands, so we stopped by a book retailer where Kevin was hosting a book signing. Kevin is one of the photographers I highly admire and I only wish my nature photography was as beautiful as his.
While his photos use no words, like every good photographer I know, his photos tell a story just the same.
I came home and eagerly opened the book, savoring all of the essays, poems and especially, the great nature photography in this coffee table book.
His pictures truly brought the wonder of our region to life. I marveled at the beautiful landscapes, was overcome with sadness in “I Witnessed a Murder,” and was truly awed by one photo that really captured the soul of an insect through the photo of its’ eyes.
If you’ve never been to the Ozark Mountains and have dreamed of coming here – or if you love the Ozark Mountains and you long for them – this book would make a great addition to any coffee table collection.
My only regret is that we do not have room for a coffee table in Our Little House. I used to rotate my coffee table books at our house in the city and could display different ones all of the time.
Here, I will set Kevin’s book out in the Belle Writer’s Studio, where guests can take a look at the beauty around them through the eyes of a photographer.
Do you have a favorite nature photography book or coffee table book?
Lordy! How on earth did I manage to miss the fact you’d written about your house for Mother Earth News? Great piece!
I have a collection of “coffee table books”, most of them photography books by David Muenich. I’ve enjoyed his work since high school. Also part of the book collection are books of Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. All of these are inspiration and a great way to take mini vacations.
Kerri, glad you and Dale are feeling better.
Thank you! We’re doing better although still not 100 percent, but getting there.
Ah, exactly! A mini-vacation is what these books are like when you submerge yourself in them! I love Georgia O’Keefe.
I love Tim Ernst, but we don’t own any of his photo books… just his hiking guides. I read his journal online occasionally to see what’s going on at his place (very near Whitaker Point).
We don’t set out coffee table books right now (toddler era), but I have and love several gardening/landscape design books by the genius Keith Davitt. So inspiring!
…Oh, and also Andrew Goldsworthy. His work takes my breath away.
I’ll have to check those both out, Kim!
I love a good coffee table book. They look so pretty on the “coffee table.” Glad you’ve found your favorites.
You must have some beautiful coffee table books of the Pacific NW there, Heather. I think each area of the country has it’s own special beauty.
Kerri, I would love to have the coffee table books that you mentioned of Kevin’s and Tim Ernst.
I enjoy coffee books of photographers, artist and poets. Right now on my table is my book, my uncle Melvin’s and cousin Jack’s. Family books.
Family books and your own is good, too, Mary! I always keep a copy of my book out as well. Check out the books by Ernst and Pieper at Hastings.
I love Cape Cod Light by Joel Meyrowitz, because it really captures the beauty of this place. I think his photos inspired me to try to try my hand at photography, as an amateur. I took a course with him once at Castle Hill and learned to always look for a point of interest in a photo. It was interesting to see how different a shot could be with or without that point of interest.
Your photos on your blog are very beautiful in their own right, Alexandra!
I don’t have a favourite anymore but I do love the works of Lawren Harris who was one of the “Group of Seven” Canadian artists who sketched and painted Canadian landscapes, particularly Canada’s wilderness. Harris’ paintings capture the stark beauty of Canada’s North in a very clean and somewhat abstract style.I have a book of his works somewhere. Another book I have is selected works of Salvador Dali, and I am very taken with his art as well. However, being a clutter free minimalist, I try to keep my tables as free from stuff as possible.
Those sound lovely, Olivia. I like to keep clutter free too, but books are my downfall. 🙂