Joel Meyerowitz's Cape Light is a timeless masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and its 50th anniversary edition is a testament to its enduring appeal. This book is a powerful statement on the evolution of color photography, challenging the notion that it was merely a commercial medium. Meyerowitz, alongside contemporaries like William Eggleston, revolutionized the art world by demonstrating that color could be as artistic and impactful as black-and-white photography.
What makes Cape Light so remarkable is its ability to capture the essence of Cape Cod's serene light and transform it into high art. Meyerowitz's meticulous attention to detail and his patient, unhurried approach to photography resulted in a collection of images that are both timeless and captivating. The book's success was surprising at the time, as it featured seemingly ordinary subjects like a local grocery store at dusk, an empty beach, and a parked station wagon. However, Meyerowitz's unique perspective and technical prowess elevated these mundane scenes to a level of artistic excellence.
The key to Meyerowitz's success lies in his technique and discipline. He worked with an 8x10 view camera, which forced him to slow down and wait for the light to do its work. This approach resulted in images that are filled with a sense of stillness and tranquility, even when they contain almost nothing happening. Meyerowitz's ability to resist the urge to fill the frame with incident is a lesson in itself, as it demonstrates the importance of patience and restraint in photography.
The book's influence can be seen everywhere today, from Instagram's love of dusk light to the quiet American road photography genre that followed in its wake. Cape Light has become a landmark book, inspiring generations of photographers to explore the potential of color photography and to embrace the power of stillness in their work.
The 50th anniversary edition of Cape Light is a must-have for any photography enthusiast. Aperture has remastered the original images, keeping Carl Zahn's original design, and the hardcover runs to 112 pages with 40 four-color plates. The book is accompanied by three limited-edition 5x7-inch prints from Meyerowitz's private archive, available directly through Aperture. While the prints may seem like a tidy bit of commerce, they are a valuable investment for any photography enthusiast, as they help fund the sort of publishing program that keeps books like this in print.
In my opinion, Cape Light is a testament to the power of color photography and a reminder of the importance of technique and discipline in the art form. It is a book that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and influence generations of photographers. Whether you're shooting on the Cape or your own local seafront, the real value of Cape Light lies in its technique and its ability to capture the essence of a place and time in a way that is both timeless and captivating.
