Customer Reviews

Reanna's Diaries: A Celebration of Truth and Beauty in Photographs

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There are parallels with the work by Hamilton, in that the models are young (but not probably as young as Hamilton's girls) and the settings are very sensual and lush. The colors are a bit muted, as most of the shots are in a rather soft focus with lots of light and shadow. The settings the pictures show are more intimate, in that the young woman is the focal point, not the background. In fact, only a few of the pictures show much of the background other than that directly around the woman. These are photographs, not snapshots and show the result of a lot of time composing the shot. Most of the photographs are in color or sepia, with a few black and white shots. Those wanting vivid pictures of young naked women will not like this book. The photographs show a very good use of shadow and add sensuality to the book. In the back of the book are comments on most of the photographs so clearly anyone who buys this book can easily duplicate the shots--Not! This is a book for those who appreciate fine photography and will have less appeal to voyeurs. If there is an overriding theme to the photographs, I would pick the word contemplative to capture the essence of the feelings from the shots.

The models themselves are beautiful young women, but most women their ages are beautiful. A few of these photos are striking figure studies, making the most of the model's youth (p.33), mystery (p.41), or simple elegance (p.64,80,164).

Murrian's vision of starting womanhood just isn't mine, though. The soft focus wore on me after a while - there was scarcely a crisp, clean line anywhere in the collection. Romantic vision has a place, but the strength and agility of the figures was never allowed to come through. The orange cast, possibly suggesting firelit warmth, was decidedly overused. Also, I found his fascination with lingerie just odd, out of place on these models. Were the girls playing with prettiness the way a child plays with a toy, or trying on adulthood to see if it fit, or was Murrian pushing a look onto them that they really didn't need?

The models all have an inherent loveliness that comes through in every picture. The collection of photos, taken as a whole, seems to say a lot more about Murrain than it does about them, though.

//wiredweird

This is the book that longtime fans of Richard Murrian's work have been waiting for. At last - it's here!!!

It's been a long and often frustrating road. Given the supposed "controversy" of Murrian working with young females as nude models, few publishers had the courage to even enter into discussions about publishing his work. But finally, the renown and immensely respected publishing house Edition Skylight took him under their wing and gave Richard the platform he deserved. The result is this book, Reanna's Diaries, and I doubt that anyone will be disappointed. Indeed, it is arguably the most daring and exquisite vision of the human form published in the last decade.

The main subject matter of the book is the young and beautiful Reanna, who first collaborated with Richard when she was just fourteen years old, but there are several other young models featured as well, each a slender, impeccably perfect beauty. Portrayed in Murrian's magical, delightfully romantic and ethereal style, his subjects transcend all traditional concepts of grace and beauty and take on a glorious, almost celestial quality. So, prepare to be spellbound. The production quality of the book itself is flawless (typical of Edition Skylight) and its dimensions of 10.5" x 8.5" is very satisfying. The preface and introductory text are in English, German, and French. It features 201 color plates set against a glossy white background. As an added and very intriguing bonus, each plate is accompanied by commentary (located at the back of the book) where Richard provides details of the picture such as its title, model information, his photographic technique, and various other elements that went into creating the image. A main strength of the book is that even though there are over 200 plates, they are culled from the enormous collection of work that Murrian has amassed over the last few years, and is something of a best-of-the-best collection. This is very cool ... but really puts the pressure on Murrian if he's wanting to produce a follow-up book that equals or surpasses this most amazing initial effort.

The controversy that hovers around Murrian's work is his vision that young girls, at the genesis of womanhood, are subjects worthy of artistic study. But only the most radically puritanical will find anything offensive in the work presented here. Murrian's work is so highly stylized, his sincerity so obvious - if anything this work is immensely and eternally uplifting. Murrian's portraits and nudes are intimate, breathtaking glimpses into the wondrous physical and spiritual qualities of these girls. It reminds us of all the hope and promise, and the splendid perfection of youth that is so precious and so fleeting. This makes Murrian not only one of the most daring artists of our time, it also makes him one of the most important. My only hope is that the world is enlightened enough to understand what he's trying to convey.

I've been collecting David Hamilton books and prints for more years than I'd admit. In the course of those years, I have seen photographers attempt to copy Hamilton's style. Many poor quality books were made of those attempts in the `seventies, and usually they were awful. That's why people know who Hamilton is but have no idea who those others are. Those are not true artists, and as a collector of Hamilton's work I'd finally believed that he would just never have an equal. Now that he's retired from publishing, I'd guessed that my collection was complete.

Then I found this book here. I'd never heard of this photographer, but I'd read on another site that his work was 'Hamiltonesque'. Sceptically, I bought it. When I received the book, I was pleasantly surprised. The criticisms above are void when we discuss Richard Murrian. While his pictures clearly bear Hamilton's influence, there is a dark and moody feel. There seems to be almost a melancholy recognition that the time of childhood is ending and the more complex world of adulthood, with all it's trifles of relationships, sexuality, and responsibility, is arriving for his models. In style, something of the classical masters is present in the way these pictures are illuminated. One particular picture (on page 119) looks like the Mona Lisa. In terms of composition he comes in tighter, with a majority of the pictures being 3/4 body and portrait shots. Also, his models appear a little older than Hamilton would choose. I'm guessing most of the girls in this book are around 15,16 years, and some of them look to be at least 18. A few might be a little bit younger (the book says he photographed the girl on the cover from age 14 to 18). These are blossoming young women, not Hamilton's "Lolitas". So while his pictures are clearly influenced, they are at once definitively unique. As for the photographer himself, while I don't know his age, there are two photos of him in the book and he is clearly a young man. This isn't another old "has-been" from the `seventies, this is a vibrant new artist. That is what I find most interesting and exciting, because it makes me wonder what is to come from this guy?

Thank the stars, the world has a new `Hamilton'. And considering the pace at which this world seems to be regressing into the failed moral constraints of yesteryear, he could not have come at a better time. Godspeed to you, Richard!

This book is a masterpiece.

The female body is beautiful work of art on it's own and has long been the subject of artists of all media. Richard's technique of catching them in such beautiful light and settings, seemingly unaware of the camera, is to be applauded. I have always loved the Pre-Raphaelite soft focus style of photography, and this book is an excellent example of it. I own all of David Hamilton's and Robert Farber's books and Richards book certainly fits in right beside the masters.

I've keep up with Richard Murrian's work from the time he opened "PhotoDreams" until now. I find it amazing that he only started photography in '98 and then only to shoot his, then girlfriend, Nancy. He has proven to have a very gifted eye. I love this book and highly recommend it for anyone who likes the works of David Hamilton and Robert Farber. I look forward to your next book, Richard.

There are many beautiful photographs in this book. Photos like "Chapeau de Bolero" (plate 3), "The Dancer" (plate 13), "The Brilliant Girl" (plate 53), "Le Vin Rouge" (plate 82), "The Two Nymphettes, Plates I & II" (plates 92-93), "The French Maiden (plate 169) and "A Slavic Lolita" (plate 185) show Murrian at his best. Mr. Murrian demonstrates that he has considerable talent and I'm glad to have this book in my collection; however, I would not say that I consider Murrian in the first rank of portrait photographers. . .yet.

The main thing I don't like in this book is the overabundance of soft focus images. A few are wonderful but one after the other ruins the effect. Most of my favorite photos do not have any obvious work done on them. It is almost too self-consciously "artistic" in style: Mr. Murrian seems to work very hard to capture his model and I prefer work that seems more relaxed and accessible.

On the other hand, Murrian is mainly successful at what he attempts to do, "to reveal both the innocence and the sensuality of girls who are in the process of becoming," as he says in his introduction to the book. With time and experience, Mr. Murrian may reach the level of a Jock Sturges or Mary Ellen Mark. I look forward to seeing where Mr. Murrian goes with his talent.

Mr. Murrian has created a work that belongs in the collection of every afficianado of the human form. He subjects are young and beautiful, but oblivious to their nudity. Their relaxed poses appear so natural that the viewer almost forgets their nudity as well--a remarkable achievement by Mr. Murrian and his models. The settings are dreamlike, the lighting and focus are right on, given the effect he was trying to achieve: innocence and sensuality. I liked his use of a blurred focus. I see other reviewers think he went overboard, but I think it's the perfect approach to achieve the mood of this book.

This is the book that longtime fans of Richard Murrian's work have been waiting for. At last - it's here!!!

It's been a long and often frustrating road. Given the supposed "controversy" of Murrian working with adolescent females as nude models, few publishers had the courage to even enter into discussions about publishing his work. But finally, the renown and immensely respected publishing house Edition Skylight took him under their wing and gave Richard the platform he deserved. The result is this book, Reanna's Diaries, and I doubt that anyone will be disappointed. Indeed, it is arguably the most daring and exquisite vision of the human form published in the last decade.

The main subject matter of the book is the young and beautiful Reanna, who first collaborated with Richard when she was just fourteen years old, but there are some twenty other young models featured as well, each a slender, impeccably perfect beauty. Portrayed in Murrian's magical, delightfully romantic and ethereal style, his subjects transcend all traditional concepts of grace and beauty and take on a glorious, almost celestial quality. So, prepare to be spellbound. The production quality of the book itself is flawless (typical of Edition Skylight) and its dimensions of 10.5" x 8.5" is very satisfying. The preface and introductory text are in English, German, and French. It features 201 color plates set against a glossy white background. As an added and very intriguing bonus, each plate is accompanied by commentary (located at the back of the book) where Richard provides details of the picture such as its title, model information, his photographic technique, and various other elements that went into creating the image. A main strength of the book is that even though there are over 200 plates, they are culled from the enormous collection of work that Murrian has amassed over the last few years, and is something of a best-of-the-best collection. This is very cool ... but really puts the pressure on Murrian if he's wanting to produce a follow-up book that equals or surpasses this most amazing initial effort.

The controversy that hovers around Murrian's work is his vision that young girls, at the genesis of womanhood, are subjects worthy of artistic study. But only the most radically puritanical will find anything offensive in the work presented here. Murrian's work is so highly stylized, his sincerity so obvious - if anything this work is immensely and eternally uplifting. Murrian's portraits and nudes are intimate, breathtaking glimpses into the wondrous physical and spiritual qualities of these girls. It reminds us of all the hope and promise, and the splendid perfection of youth that is so precious and so fleeting. This makes Murrian not only one of the most daring artists of our time, it also makes him one of the most important. My only hope is that the world is enlightened enough to understand what he's trying to convey.

Prior to purchasing this book I wasn't familiar with Murrians work. It becomes evident within the first few pages that he is trying desperately to emulate the style of Hamilton which in and of itself is by no means a "bad" thing. I've seen a lot of photographers successfully adapt that particular "gauzy" style of photography and make it work. Unfortunately in this case it just didn't seem to fit. In my opinion, Murrians style of shooting just doesn't seem to lend itself to that dreamy, gauzy, Hamilton treatment.

In the majority of the photos offered here, the models appear to be stiffly and at times rather awkwardly posed in something much more suited to the clear crisp photography that you might find in a fashion magazine. Perhaps that is because of his models background in the fashion industry. Some of the photos are so stiffly constructed that they come across much more like a still life than a figure study.

Having said that, I would like to point out that there are a number of very lovely photos included in this compilation. I can also say that as a first offering from this photographer it shows great promise. Something I found particularly interesting and admirable is that he included specific information about each of the shots in the back of the book. He has gone so far as to include information about the lighting, film, processing, camera, and lenses he used for each of the photos. He has also included information about any computer aided alterations he has made. Most photographers who publish books along these lines keep that information a closely guarded secret, from my experience, in what I can only assume is some vain attempt to make their work seem more mysterious and important.

I would recommend this book based on the merits of Murrians willingness to allow us into his process alone. It's a bonus that he also provides some very beautiful photography along the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures in the book. I was a little disappointed, however, to find out that not all of the pictures were on Reanna. I did not see that anywhere in the description, so I assumed that they were all of her. Instead, there are eight models that are featured, and Reanna is only one of them. Still, though, I found it very enjoyable.