While walking on Abbot Kinney on their Friday night open house, I discovered a fund raising event for Japan featuring photographs taken in Japan by LA photographers. My favorite piece was a photo of stone buddhas. I actually bid on it and was outbid. I asked about the photographer and was told his name was Jay Brooker and that he was at the exhibit. I found him and asked if I might purchase a copy of the buddha image to which he replied, “I would be happy to give you jpegs of that image along with several other I took if you will make a contribution to Japan.” I replied I would be happy to and in addition, would share the images with my blog subscribers. So the images you see are Jay’s wonderful buddha shots from Kyoto. If you would like to purchase one or more for yourself or a friend, let me know and I will be pleased to send you the hi-res jpeg once you send me a screen shot or receipt of your contribution (Suggested donation $10-$20) to a Japan relief agency of your choice.

If you are looking for a place to print the photograph on canvas, the company that did a great job printing the enlargements at the exhibit is ypoc.com. Or, if you’d like a 24″x36″ poster print, Short Run Posters will print it for $16.

Symmetry from Everynone on Vimeo.

One of my readers, Mo Charbonneau,  just send me a link to Cool Mind, Warm Heart, written by Steve Roberts who describes himself as “a servant to those who consider their work in the world a spiritual adventure.” Mo says his essays “His essays sometimes make me cry, almost always make me laugh, and usually cause my heart to be a little more open. He lives in the Green Mountains of Vermont on his Sun Bear Farm where, among other things,  he builds communities of stone people and photographs them.   His essays, whimsical drawings, and photographs can be viewed at his website, which is also the name of his book of essays:  www.coolmindwarmheart.com.” You can subscribe to “My Two Cents” (essays) and “Inner Ink” (drawings) there as well.

Like many kids, Joe Sohm received a camera as a gift from his parents. He went on to become history teacher and ultimately combined his love of history and photography becoming one of the leading photographers of Americana in the world. He has logged over a million miles in traveling through 50 states over 30 years amassing a collection of 28,000 images.

His stunning images have appeared in National Geographic, Newsweek and Time Magazine, and were featured prominently in ‘The Choice 2008,’ a PBS Frontline documentary on the presidential campaign.

Now 1300 of his most compelling photographs along with 21 of his insightful essays are available in his beautiful master work tabletop book, Visions of America. The photographs in this book combine to reveal a compelling visual mosaic of the faces and places of democracy. The book’s forward is written by legendary travel writer Paul Theroux and Visions of America received an Independent Publishing (IPPY) Gold Medal for excellence. The U.S. State Department is considering using Visions of America as a goodwill ambassador gift and it may soon be featured in the USA Pavilion in Shanghai.

What is notable about Visions of America is its inclusiveness. I once heard a philosophy professor conclude his lecture with the idea that inclusiveness is moral and exclusiveness amoral. In a country that has recently been divided politically, it is refreshing to be reminded of the myriad colors of diversity that is at the heart of America. This is not an accident. In his dedication, Sohm let’s the reader know that “My intent is to honor all through images and words, and I hope I have done so.” In my opinion, he has succeeded magnificently.

And, Visions of America does not take a political stand. Rather it is again, inclusive and apolitical, sharing instead our collective heritage and the hopes and dreams of our Founding Fathers and all Americans since. Sohm provides readers with a clear window on the American experience that inspires and empowers. Visions of America captures what is best about this country and represents an important document that can be passed along to future generations.

The book is the centerpiece of several other multimedia experiences that includes a photo symphony that is being performed by symphony orchestras around the world. With a score by Oscar nominated composer Roger Kellaway,  four original songs written by Kellaway and Marilyn and Alan Bergman, two of the top lyricists in the world, and narration by Clint Eastwood, excerpts from the photo symphony will next be performed in Shanghai with Patti Austin performing one of its songs.

An IMAX version is currently in the planning stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra performing the full soundtrack along with Eastwood’s narration and Kellaway conducting.

In the meantime, Joe is touring community theaters and colleges with his one man live Visions of America multi-media lecture.

To learn more about Visions of America or to order your copy of  Sohm’s magnum opus, visit his website, Visions of America.com and to watch an informative PBS interview with Joe, click here.