Two noteworthy photographers I was reminded of today while perusing some book stacks: Roger Ballen and Desiree Dolron. Ballen’s Shadow Chambers is unnerving. It works b/c it’s not contrived…well, yeah, the pictures are contrived, sure, but there’s a sincerity (like Arbus but way way darker) in them that escapes the freak-show ruses of so many others, like, let me think, say J.P. Witkin for example. Shadow Chambers gave me the creeps anyway, in this sorta way that made me drop it b/c I didn’t want to know why it hit so solidly home. Then Dolron is doing something wholly different, and even if it isn’t my cup of tea it’s still apparent that she strove for perfection in her “Xteriors” series. I respect that a great deal. Get that gal a W spread already.

photo: from the book Shadow Chambers © Roger Ballen

photo: from the book Shadow Chambers © Roger Ballen

photo: from the book Shadow Chambers © Roger Ballen

photo: © Desiree Dolron

photo: © Desiree Dolron