I find it unfortunate at best that Mr Sturges' work has so often been met with such hateful and often irrational opposition as it has. In my opinion, the controversy surrounding his photographs is wholly unwarranted. More often than not, the most violent objections come from (what I would call) religious extremists who claim to be speaking up in defense of his subjects, who they apparently feel have been exploited. A lot of the problem seems to stem directly from a willful refusal to distinguish between what is sexual and what is erotic. Sturges' work is sexual, yes, but it is not erotic. Sexuality is an inherent aspect of the human experience that can hardly be excluded in an honest image of a person. We are sexual from birth. And to find fault with Sturges' work because it doesn't deny this detail of humanity is a rather backwards way of looking at things. But regardless of what minor sexual element may be contained in his images, it is important to note that these images are not erotic. They are neither meant to be sexually arousing nor do they have that effect. If the contrary were the case, then maybe his biggest detractors might have a point, but in fact this is not how it is.

Sturges work is significant. And if you are willing to approach this or any other volume of his photographs with an open mind, I think you'll understand. The photographs and words contained herein are luminous and not likely to grow old with many goings-over. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.


Incredible Collection of Photographs   December 11, 1999
 35 out of 42 found this review helpful

Jock Sturges creates images, not of nude adolescence, but of emotion, power, and beauty. He has captured generations with his camera, showing images from childhood to adulthood. More so, Jock has achieved what many photographers and arts cannot. He has attained that trust and opened up the emotion of his subjects. If one looks his subjects eyes and face, rather then just shallowly looking a "young nude child," you can see the real power of Jock's work


Superb artist, not quite so superb book   May 12, 2001
 33 out of 39 found this review helpful

A slightly less than perfect monograph by one of my favorite artists.

Regarding the work itself, i've not seen any work that surpasses, and little enough that matches, the beauty Sturges portrays. His models are not chosen because they are exemplars of some cultural standard of beauty. They are not high-fashion, trendy, or striking in the ways most people are used to seeing.

They are simply ordinary people. The girls are unenhanced, average girls. No different from any other you may know. But therein lies their beauty. Sturges shows them with a warmth and intimacy borne of long aquaintance; capturing the inner beauty present in all (though hidden in most).

His models are comfortable with themselves and their surroundings; and show that comfort in their unashamed attitudes. They look at the camera, as they would look at one another, not hiding or embarrased; just being who they are. He shows them as humans beings, with their friends and families; rather than the iconic or archetypal abstractions that most photographers portray.

The images themselves are exquisite. There is a gradual smoothness to the tones that echoes the bodies of the models themselves. Lighting and contrast reproduce in the sand and water of the beach scenes the skin tones of the models -- so much so that the girls almost seem to meld with their environment. Both seem to glow in the early morning and late afternoon sun.

Unfortunately, my praise for the book is more reserved. The quality of the printing is excellent. Having seen the original prints in several gallery showings, the duotones in the book do a very good job of capturing the feel of the originals.

A few quibbles, however. The arrangement of the photographs in the book are not in the chronological order that Sturges originally intended; so the progression of his models from youth to adulthood is lost. Many of the images are spread across two pages, instead of being printed on one; which is results in a degradation of the quality of the image.

Sturges himself was not happy with the Aperture monographs (_Last Days of Summer_, _Radiant Identities_) for just this reason (as well as some other problems with the Aperture staff); and has re-released most of these images through Scalo.

Unfortunately, there are some images in this book and the other Aperture monograph which are not available in the Scalo release. I would recommend buying the Scalo book, titled _Jock Sturges_, to see the images as the artist intended; and the Aperture books for the additional images.


More beautiful photography   June 5, 2004
 30 out of 31 found this review helpful

These are some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen.

Sturges has an incredible way of capturing his subjects. Not subjects, really, but collaborators, they are the people in front of the camera who help him make pictures.

The scenes with two or more people are the ones that hold my interest most closely. Parent and child, siblings or friends - there is so much more at work when I see the people together. There is contrast, or affection, or the young woman's later life shown in her mother. Some of the subjects themselves seem to evoke both the children they were and the adults that they will become.

I just have to say it again: these are incredibly beautiful pictures.


A beautiful masterwork, visually stunning and sensitive.   May 10, 1998
 29 out of 34 found this review helpful

In "The Last Day of Summer," photographer Jock Sturges brilliantly attempts to capture the emerging, radiant beauty and sexuality of adolescence. Although most of his books have been derided as "child pornography" by certain conservative forces here in the U.S., they most certainly are not. To fully understand his work, one must not simply look at the pictures but delve into the many articles that accompany his art in his books. These girls and boys come to Jock, year after year, with their parents' consent (and their PARENTS even pose nude with their children in many of these images). This is the epitome of TRUST between subject and artist. This is not pornography. There is no sexual intimacy portrayed anywhere. It is a celebration of the beginnings of adolescnent life...a celebration of the beauty which Nature has given. It is a return to the sensual and beautiful works of the past. -JLC, Virginia