Robert McGinnis

The cover art for the best selling Peter Benchley book Jaws was so perfect, so memorable, the illustration was also used for the film poster. Robert McGinnis, the artist, created many posters for Hollywood films, notably several 007 titles. Supposedly, it was McGinnis that first illustrated James Bond with his gun locked, loaded and pointed skyward.

It's his book cover work that interests me; he created hundreds over several decades. Despite their silly titles, the art is beautifully rendered with dynamic layout, dramatic lighting and graceful figures. Those gorgeous, decadent cover girls are the Goddesses of pulp fiction. If they could talk, they might borrow from the Disney character Jessica Rabbit who said, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."

Darkroom magic

Ansel Adams Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico

Reflecting on his most famous photograph, Ansel Adams said, "Moonrise is certainly my most popular single image. It combined serendipity and immediate technical recall." While driving in New Mexico, Adams saw the moon hovering over the small town of Hernandez and instantly recognized the potential for an amazing photo. He immediately pulled over, rushed to set up his tripod and camera; the sun was setting and he had to work quickly to capture the fading light.

Hernandez never looked better. Hernandez never looked like that at all. What I didn't realize, was the extensive dark room manipulation of the image Adams had to complete for the final print. With some of his photographs, up to 100 prints were made, pushing the light and dark to create the most impact. The film negative was his blank canvas.

After taking the following portrait, Richard Avedon gave detailed instructions to his printer.

Richard Avedon,instructions to his printer.

Richard Avedon, Lyal Burr, coal miner, and his sons Kerry and Phillip, Utah, 1981

Personal geography

Howard Finster

Jo Lowrey

Once in a while, a book arrives as ordered and delightfully surpasses all expectation. You Are Here:Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination by Katherine Harmon is a collection of maps of ideas, the subconscious and other dreamy locations. Lushly illustrated with hundreds of colored maps and guides to enchanting terrain, the cartographers include a preacher, engineer, children and a wide assortment of artists.

You can find your copy here.

10 List: Anniversary gifts

"It's my anniversary gift."A. said when I noticed her new IPhone. Traditions are changing. Ten perplexing gifts listed by anniversary year:

4th - Appliance. Can a humidifier or shop vacuum be overly sentimental?
6th - Wood object. Better make it lightweight and small, just in case disappointment turns into rage.
8th - Salt (traditional UK gift). Maybe this includes salty items like pretzels or peanuts--SO much more thoughtful than just salt.
9th - Leather goods. This was once a 3rd anniversary gift but now couples have to put in more time to earn a belt or bag.
13th - A barometer (traditional UK gift). Really, you SHOULDN'T have.
15th - A watch. Because nothing commemorates the celebration of life together better than a ticking timepiece.
21st - Nickel. Not the coin, the metal. Happy hunting!
23rd - Silver plate. You'll have to wait until your 25th anniversary to upgrade to real silver.
24th - Musical instrument. New interests begin at midlife.
80th - Oak. After gold (50th) and platinum (75th) Oak is the ultimate gift.

Young Chet

Chet Baker 1954

Chet and Halima Baker

It was his love of music, particularly jazz, that inadvertently led William Claxton (1927-2008) to photography. He began his career shooting covers for a record company, creating intimate images of performers that expressed their anxiety, pain and bliss. Perhaps he is best known for his photos of young Chet Baker. A book of those photos, aptly titled Young Chet is available here.

Chet

From the 1988 documentary Let's Get Lost by Bruce Weber. Elvis Costello wrote Almost Blue, but Chet Baker's cover is superior.