Topic: Pentti Sammallahti

[Andrej K]

Hello folks,

today a package was waiting for me when I drove back home from work - a beautiful book - as far as both form and content - by the Finnish photographer Penti Sammallahti called Here, Far Away.

I have to confess that I have a soft spot for photo-books, but this one is particularly nice. Beautiful, rather heavy but very smooth paper, the images are beautifully printed with very fine and smooth tones.
The photographs are beautiful also, of course. At the first sight one might think that they are a rather odd assortment, but the more I look at them, the more I begin to understand..

You can "browse" through the book with the help of this video.

However, it seems that the English edition is no longer in stock and the prices of used pieces are rather steep. It is similar with German and French edition. But here is my advice - look for Spanish or Italian Edition - the book is the same, but for the texts.. And you can get it for a decent price new.

Hope you'll enjoy!

[Ezzie]

Been trying to get hold of an English version for ages. At a reasonable price that is.

You say "late" Pentti. Has he passed away recently?

[Andrej K]

Eirik, my apologies - he hasn't - and I've corrected it.. This comes when one is trying to put a few sentences together after a very tiring day and a couple of hours of "research" on various photographers...

[stevesegz]

Thanks for the tip off, just secured my italian version. Cant run to £220 if you can get one. So this is a great suggestion. many thanks

[Mab]

I'm glad to see Sammallahti finally receives more and more followers. There won't be many new books from him. He said once that when he's ready printing the negatives he wants to print he will burn them all in the end. He said he absolutely hates the idea someone else would print his negatives. His listeners were sort of laughing cautiously but I think he was at least half serious about it.

[Andrej K]

Thanks for the tip off, just secured my italian version. Cant run to £220 if you can get one. So this is a great suggestion. many thanks

Hey Steve, I'm glad you've found this useful, it's one of the most beautiful books I've put my hands on.


Mab, in a way, I do understand him. For myself I even don't like returning to older negatives - printing them anew.. Sometimes I do it, but many times, even if I in later stages achieve a "technically better" print, I often consider the first one as "my" favorite. Having someone else to print one's negatives is possible - I think - for those that are making technically straightforward prints. Once a photographer starts playing with severe cropping, tone-manipulating and toning the image, you don't want anyone else to meddle in your vision..

[stevesegz]

it certainly is, I am a great fan of the photobook as is David Chow, he has fantastic collection of books I saw this there and instantly wanted a copy. been searching for the last week and then your post popped up....karma is quite cool sometimes.

[calbisu]

The picture of the snow bike and the dogs is just beaaaautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. I almost bought it but at the end I got Gipsies by Jouseph Koudkelka, which is more into my style (not that I shoot anywhere close to Mr. Koudelka though  ).

Carlos.

[artobest]

The English edition is due to be reprinted any day now.