Fall River Photo Book by Michael Smith is Fantastic
There is a new photography book out that I highly recommend. It is by Michael Smith and available on Blurb.com
Michael Smith has an excellent eye, both for the secreted cubbyholes of the city where no one dares go, and the larger view of a city that is desperately trying to reinvent itself. The black and white images are evocative and provocative—which is what art is supposed to be. There are no frames of flowers blooming or children at play in nature, but, rather, the normal everyday Fall Riverite going about their business. Born and raised in Fall River, Smith expertly captures the malaise of this city.
From his sale page:
“All cities are mad: but the madness is gallant. All
cities are beautiful: but the beauty is grim.â€
– Christopher Morley
“A race preserves its vigor so long as it harbours a real contrast between what has been and what may be, and so long as it is nerved by the vigour to adventure beyond the safeties of the past. Without adventure, civilization is in full decay.â€
– Alfred North Whitehead
Once the textile capital of the world one hundred years ago, Fall River, Massachusetts today resembles a ghost town. As the textile industry left for cheaper labor south and overseas, Fall River had moved too slow in replacing its economic engine, as witnessed by the city’s crumbling infrastructure, high unemployment and dwindling population. With the city in strife, the belief boasted by a political-economic culture that Fall River is a “great city,†stands in contrast to the For Lease signs displayed for months, even years, in empty storefront windows. This photo essay is a direct response to that belief. Fall River is a documentation of what has become of a proud, close-knit city facing an uncertain future.
Here are the reasons you should order a copy today:
- The book is great.
- If you collect Fall River anything, you must add this to your collection.
- When you buy this book, you will be supporting the local economy of an economically challenged community.
- When you buy this book, you will be supporting a local artist. (this SHOULD be the only reason you need!)
- And lastly, when you buy this book, you will agree that you have in your hands a remarkable thing.
You can view more of Michael Smith’s work here. His official bio: Michael Smith is a photographer and writer born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, and has
lived extensively throughout the United States.
A photographer for 18 years, Smith has freelanced for such publications as Nuvo magazine in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Indianapolis Star. He also
has done photographic work for local musicians.
His written work on social and political issues has been published in the Fall River Herald News and the New Bedford Standard Times.
He is currently earning his BFA in photography from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.