Jock Sturges: Misty Dawn: Portrait of a Muse

A remarkable testimonial of emergence and the blossoming of human potential shorn of shame. Misty Dawn is a revelation in this pastoral oasis secreted from the swarming torments of shame and duplicity that roil in the urban tableau, no matter how clothed and cloaked those suited up wish to be. Her gaze is direct and uncomplicated -- always at ease though sometimes intense. She evinces perfect settled habitation in her own skin while dreaming the dreams of adolescence, unfearful of what awaits on the cusp of responsibility. The only evidence of guise are the whimsical costumes sometimes donned to express a mood or a unique stance of a moment or a day. Her nakedness throughout an extraordinary life stands as principled rebuke against worldly taint, engendering our compassion and longing to protect this precious enclave where love and comfort and familial embrace hold sway and frame long languid days in the sun or by the river. How we can admire these enlightened families and this community for shielding these young from the corrosive "morality" of a venal or indifferent larger society-- furtive maneuverings and schemings are shed in harmony with a glorious habitat, at once one with and part of nature. Perhaps not a classical beauty, Misty Dawn is nevertheless conspicuously gorgeous in her penetrating self-possession -- at home in this world and her body. This is a rare document of a parallel reality where harm and exploitation are denied entry, humans are free to know and be themselves.

I have structured my response in the most honest way I possibly can - not concerning myself with what the left or the right thinks, the religious or the non-religious would have us believe, or what many of those in the "justice" system would seek to pervert and crucify for. I have found that the more I study Jock's images of young girls, several things start to become apparent to me. First, by the mere presentation of these adolescents in predominately B&W format, and obviously not posed in some provocative fashion, immediately dismisses them from being pornographic in any way whatsoever. Any person of reason would have to readily admit that. His images force us to become comfortable in our own skin. Some of the images can be erotic initially, (and I suppose to a certain element, very erotic) but only because of the culture in which we Americans were raised - that all people nude are perversions, and it is taboo for us to view them. But we all know that anything "taboo," or "off-limits" will only spark interest, not denial! Little time passes before any initial reactions wear off however, and we begin to see inside these creatures - their innocence, their purity, their shining spirits - not yet tainted by the outside world and all of it's inequities and cancers. I think that a review by "People Magazine" says it best: "...Sturges's people are grave, well-formed, and poetic. Best to think of his world as an inviting fiction: one photographer's Eden, where a little knowledge doesn't get you expelled from the garden[!]" I sense that Jock's work gives us just a splinter of insight into the world that God intended ours to be... beautiful, peaceful, graceful, innocent, respectful, loving, forgiving, sensual, lasting, one of pure light. If I were a female - like Misty Dawn - for example, I am quite sure that I would be most thankful and proud to be able to present such a wonderful chronicle of my life, and representation of my infinity, to my children one day, and to theirs, and on and on. What a beautiful, and priceless gift to be able to pass on. And, what a beautiful expose for the rest of us to enjoy along with her!

Some of the images are breathtakingly beautiful and the quality of the reproductions and binding is excellent. I don't know of anything like this monumental work in the history of art or photography. It deserves to become a landmark and model for future photographers. The model was a blue-eyed, blond-haired child who often appears magical. Although most famous for the nude portraits, some of the best are when her body is covered. The poses tend to be static, conveying a feeling of summer fatigue or a quiet rather than active child. I don't like the distorted perspective (elongated limbs and even enlarged facial features) in a few of the portraits, but many observers may not mind or even like that effect (apparently due to using a normal lens on a big camera close-up). Nudity is a celebration of the whole body, and why not celebrate its growth and transformations in youth? The male has more external features to see, but the sudden appearance and relatively fast development of the female breast is a remarkable event to contemplate and witness. Now an adult, the model should write an autobiography describing her thoughts and experiences posing nude throughout her childhood. I think the information might be of even more value than the images. (The brief interview of Sally Mann's daughter and child model, Jessie, published in Aperture magazine was a step in that direction.) I also recommend the photographer's previous books, which contain more text. A traditional mother recently told me that her two children used to look through the keyhole of the bathroom door to get a glimpse of each other naked. That may be (statistically) normal, but is it healthy? A naturist child like Misty Dawn would probably consider such behavior very strange if not ridiculous. Prohibitions against nudity in childhood promote rather than prevent sexual problems. How fortunate we are to live in the West where we can enjoy books like this (despite the efforts of religious fanatics and other advocates of moral panic and mass hysteria who want to bring back the Inquisition) - thanks, in part, to the legal battles Jock Sturges has fought for all of us. - Frank Adamo, author of "Girl Becomes Woman."

Any one photo captures a person for one instant. This collection presents twenty-four years of the woman's life. Not just a model, Misty Dawn is Sturges's friend and inspiration. That friendship comes through clearly in this progression of photos. The earliest shows a solemn girl, maybe seven years old. Even then, she confronted the camera directly. That self-possession, plus a face with a strong beauty even then, remain constant throughout. Later pictures show Misty Dawn growing through her coltish early teens, blossoming into young adulthood, and having children of her own. Since she comes from a naturist family, she most often appears wearing only her native charm. That lets the viewer trace each stage leading up to the full womanly beauty of the last pictures, probably around age thirty. Other one-model collections exist, including some very good ones. They all present one stage of the model's life, though - just a few days or months of her life. Since this covers the large majority of the model's life, it offer a unique view, not just one moment, but all the passages she has experienced. But it doesn't just show Misty Dawn herself, it shows Sturges's view of her as a lifelong friend, and that adds immeasurably to this incredible montage. -- wiredweird

This book follows this young ladies life here in Northern California. From the time she was a kid till she married and had a child of her own. Mom, her friends and sister were all pictured in here through out their years. A lot of outdoor shots. It was done with taste but does have nudity in it. No sex in the whole book. It is a large picture book with black and white pictures. Jock does nice work

Oh, here is a very sesitive portrait of an very special muse...don't miss this! The pix is so full of love....

I should begin by saying I'm a fan of most of Jock Sturges' work. Some of his black and white pictures are just terrific, while others I don't quite get and his color work leaves me pretty cold. But when the day comes I can afford to purchase original photographs from any photographer, I intend to purchase several from Jock Sturges. If you, too, are a Jock Sturges fan, you'll probably agree his choice of Misty Dawn as a subject was extremely wise. The good news is now you can have just about every picture of her he made in one book. I say "just about" because there is one picture I just love that he (or the editor) left out. (For that I deleted half a star.) The further good news is the book is printed to Aperture's high standard of quality (although one horizontal picture is printed on the page vertically, which looks like a mistake). The bad news is the first half of the book works far, far better than the second half. The pictures are in chronological order (or at least appear to be) and for me, once Misty is married and posing with her husband, it's not so interesting any longer. He keeps revisiting the location with the window and shooting an updated version of the first picture. I have no interest in these only because I never quite understood the first version. (Second half of a star deleted.) But the first half is great, for the most part. He has some terrific portaits. He has some lousy ones, too. But there are plenty other wonderful ones to make up for them. Bottom line is: this book is worth adding to your collection.

Great book, and an enjoyable subject. I love how the book shows us how this girl becomes a woman.

An excellent book, which reminds me of Andrew Wyeths series of paintins of one model, helga, a rich and wonderful artisic achievment,and this is of a similar style(except in photography). Misty dawn is beautiful and elegant, and lends herself to the creation of these wonderful images, which are enhanced by the black and white photography. A MUST for real art and photography fans !!

Good size photo book , that follow the "career" of the cover model through the years. Good printing and binding quality; I might consider buying more books from that author..... yeah its that good!

Ich will mal versuchen, eine Rezension zu schreiben, die diesem Buch gerecht wird: Misty Dawn - Nebliger Morgen. Ein geheimnisvolles und verspieltes Pseudonym eines Mädchens, dessen Heranwachsen Sturges in traumhaften Bildern festgehalten hat. Ja, der Name passt. Wir begleiten ein fantasievolles junges Wesen, das sich völlig entspannt ihrem Spiel in der Sonne, am Strand, im Camp hingibt, allein und mit ihren Freundinnen, völlig frei und ohne störende Kleidung. Manchmal aber scheint sie direkt aus der Theateraufführung zu kommen, mit lustigen Kostümen, bisweilen auch gekrönt von einem kleinen Heiligenschein. Unvergleichlich aber die Aufnahmen am und im Wasser. Das Bild auf Seite 37 ist einer der schönsten Rückenakte, die ich kenne. Ganz schmal, die Hüfte leicht eingeknickt, scheint sie von Wassergeistern und Elfen zu träumen. Oft wirkt sie ernst. Sie wird älter. Am Ende begegnen wir einer erwachsenen Frau und Mutter - die ihren Weg gefunden hat. Ein wunderschönes Bilderbuch! Ein Traum! ein Erlebnis!

Super

Beautiful pictures, all excellent quality. Following the muse from a small child to a young mother. Highly recommended from me.