Spectacular dreamy/nightmarish visions of aging, youth, beauty and timeless images.

I am not an expert in critiquing photography, but I know what I like, so know this: Joyce Tenneson's work is incredible! If only more of her books were still in print...

But if you don't believe me, see for yourself.

Black and white photos may be all the rage for people who want poetic images, but Illuminations contains some of the most surreal, breathtakingly beautiful images I've ever seen. From the haunted old woman to the progression of the pregnant girl to the androgynous figures, every image in this book carries a power that reminds me of the cinematic.

This book "Light Warriors" by photographer Joyce Tenneson is a good example of what a well made photobook can be. It is something I'd like to achieve, in size and format when I eventually have my first book published.

It is printed and bound in Milan, Italy by Amilcare Pizzi. They have done a very good job in binding this hardcover book. It has 112 pages and is of a suitable size 235 x 310 mm. Most of the photos are on the right face of an opening.

All the prints are monochrome and have a brown tone to them. All models are female and show sensual nudity and they pose standing. Personally I like most of the tranquil, silent and warm pictures. I can also see an emphasis on the eyes of the models.

I'm happy to see a Finnish model on page 15 (Rebecca), someone I have not yet had the privilege to photograph. The most stunning images are page 11 (Nina Z., Russia) page 31 (Larissa D., Slovenia)and page 63 (Nadya, Russia).

I can highly recommend this book, and the price is well balanced. It has at least found a place in my library.

I saw a few of Joyce Tenneson's photos in this month's Sun Magazine. The photo of the mother and daughter, whose eyes mirror one another, and are startlingly spiritual, captivated. The other photographs published were equally excellent in composition and light. They took my breath away, quite literally, the mark of high art. I am putting this high on my list of books I must own.

As the dust jacket suggests, the images in this book would earn an "R" rating if they were part of a motion picture. They contain female nudity done in an artistic, highly refined, respectful manner.

These images are most unusual for portraits, and are very successful. All of the models are friends of Ms. Tenneson, and are not posed by her. Instead, she is trying to create a "visual diary . . . to probe emotions and inner realities that are . . . invisible . . . ." To do this, "I asked them what was most important in their lives." The book contains quotes of what the subjects said, as well as the finished image. To be a spiritual warrior is "to offer oneself to the world authentically, to flex the courage muscles, to share what it means to be human." She is open to the whole person, for "what fascinates me is life's complexities, the darkness as well as the light."

Each portrait is reproduced in warm browns. The foundation of the portrait is a nude image of the model or models (usually mother and child or twins). Then a double exposure is created to superimpose other elements of the subject's self vision. Portions of these images will be light, and will exist as overexposed sections that seem like the sun bursting from the page. The imagery is quite strong, and you will probably find yourself having an emotional reaction to it. That's definitely part of the appeal. You will also feel like you know a lot about each model.

Here are my favorites among these wonderful images: Nina Z., Russia; Sheryl and Sef, United States; Rebekka, Finland; Nina B., Germany; Laura and Isaac, United States; Yael, Israel; Marie-Claude, Canada; Jasmin, Australia; Suri, United States; Marisa, United States; Lindsay and Amanda, United States; Jessie, United States; Margarita, Russia; and Sun, United States.

How does she see her role as the photographer? "I just provide a safe place for them to be open . . . ." Who are these women? "They are pilgrims . . . ."

After you enjoy these images, I suggest that you also ask people what is most important in their lives. Even without taking a photograph, you can come much closer and create important bands of connection. What else can you ask that will be revealing and welcome?

By being a respectful seeker, you too can be a spiritual pilgrim. At the end of your journey, you may also become a light warrior.

This book was a disappointment for me - the title does not live up to my expectations. I mean, these are women who have lived for 70, 80, 90 years and all they have to say is one or two sentences? I wanted pages and pages of their wisdom. And then the wisest thing one of them had to say was "...I live at the Dakota and sometimes I feel like moving, but what would I do with all the things I've collected over the years? I have so many "things", I guess I'll never move." Oh, please! Where exactly is the wisdom here. Most of the photos were great, that's what the 3 stars are for. Also, I was surprised that several women did not reveal their age - I thought it was more interesting knowing their ages and seeing how beautiful they were and was inspired and amazed knowing that. In the introduction the author talks about the women sharing "...their inner lives - the heartaches as well as the triumphs. We talked about our families and the longings of our hearts...we discovered that the journeys we had taken toward our deeper selves, toward acceptance, love, and hopefully compassion for the frailties of the universe were basically the same. I came away from each encounter exhilarated by what I had seen and learned, and with an urgent desire to share these stories." I wish she had truly shared them. I'm sure they would have been great.

This is a book I would be honored to given to me by my daughter...or anyone! Unfortunately, my mother didn't feel the same way. She's in her 70's and thought I was insulting her. The women in the book are my role models...

All the while I was writing my own book about the wisdom, joy and power in being an 'Elderwoman' - i.e. a woman who embraces the aging process, instead of shrinking from it - I wished I could illustrate it with pictures. For as we know, a picture is worth a thousand words. And the true Elderwoman is a delight to behold. Her joy, her wisdom, her power, and a thousand stories, are all there, in her face. But I am no photographer. I had to make do with words.
So when I came upon this beautiful book I fell in love with it immediately. Now, everywhere I go to talk about my own books or to do workshops with older women, I take Joyce Tenneson's book with me, and pass it around. Every woman I have shown it to has loved it, as I do.
Compared to these portraits, the bland faces of young models look like clones or Barbie dolls. Here is REAL BEAUTY, revealed.

I saw this book excerpted in the May issue of Oprah magazine and was delighted by the rich, colorful close-ups of flowers in full bloom. Right away, I ordered one book for myself and one for my mother-in-law (should have read the Amazon editorial review that notes the flowers are in the later stages of life). We were surprised and dismayed to find that every one of the photos is a dull brown flower on a black background--and nearly all of the flowers are dead or dying. We could still appreciate the beautiful photography and the theme of death & dying, but with the subtitle "The Life Cycle of Beauty" it would have been nice to see more of the full life cycle--as in colorful buds and full-blooms in rich hues. All of the bright, colorful photos that were in the magazine excerpt were instead rendered in dull browns. We're both sending our books back. Totally depressing.

Not just pretty pictures in this terrific book, but a deep insight and understanding of flowers and photos. I saw several of these photos in an exhibition at a gallery in Bethesd, MD and fell in love with the work by this master photographer. I bought the book and am now saving my pennies to buy a photo!

What makes a great photographer? In the case of Tenneson, it has always been her own unique style, which translates so well across the many books and works that she has done over the years - ending in last year's best selling "Wise Women." So when Tenneson focused her considerable skills on the world of flowers, it's no surprise that she discovers that the beauty of a dying or dead flower, in its own unique decay, often delivers beautiful new insights - a Tennesonian insight - into the world of flowers. This is a photography book for people who not only like flowers, but a great photography book - period.