I immediately fell in love with Bensingers. I felt drawn into a world I’d only seen depicted in movies. This series felt foreign and familiar at once, and I wanted to see more. I contributed to the Kickstarter campaign to fund Garren’s book, and am so disappointed this project didn’t meet its goal.

Tom Alleman’s incredible documentary about his family is intimate, raw and deeply layered. He is the definition of a storyteller.

Favorite Photo Book of 2015?

The Lonely Ones, Gus Powel

The Lonely Ones by Gus Powell—Trailer from Jason Fulford on Vimeo.

I was very fortunate to see Matt Black and Endia Beal speak at GeekFest Oakland this past September. Matt was at the tail end of his award wining  project, the Geography of Poverty, which took him across the country photographing and geotagging America’s geography of poverty when he stopped by to address a room full of photographers gathered in Oakland, right after he shot the final image for the Instagram project. He’s soft spoken, but his words are powerful, and his tireless exploration of the issues of poverty, farming, migration and the environment has shined a spotlight onto these critical issues.

Endia Beal is such an inspiration to me, not only as a photographer, but as a woman. She is fierce. Just look at her work and you’ll know what I mean. She’s the real deal.

Clay Lipsky, Lenscratch Art Director who keeps us looking good, who designs all things Lenscratch including our t-shirts (you know you want one)!

Favorite Lenscratch post of 2015?

I love work that pushes boundaries. Linda Alterwitz’s series “While I Am Still” definitely got my attention as it sits at the abstracted crossroads of science and art. It challenges the mind and eye with a painterly quality that really needs no explanation (or artist statement).

Favorite Photo Book of 2015?

Anouk Kruithof ‘s “The Bungalow” is another selection that challenges the definition of what “photography” is these days. Considering I am usually found in front of a computer, this series hit close to home. I appreciate the idea of re-interpreting source material, much like a downtempo electronica hip-hop remix mashup of some country western dance track.

What Photographer Inspired you this year?

Imma let me finish, but Aline Smithson is my favorite photographer of the year. Inspired, inspiring, accomplished and just getting started. She has killed it this year with simultaneous shows, a buzz-worthy book, editor in chief of this site, a mentor, curator, friend, teacher, cheerleader, spirit animal and so much more. No struggle here, it’s the hustle that is real. She proves that the being a photographer can mean so much more than just making work, and she does it in style. Cheers.

Favorite Personal Instagram Photograph?

Wish I had a “real” camera with me for this one. Ironically taken going to the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/9Kp0VtHQDI/

Best new photography app or technology or toy?

Digital photography is loathed by some, but I just see it as another tool. The Sony A7R II camera won me over this year by being small but mighty. Also, contrary to most digital cameras that perpetuate e-waste, this one can be adapted to accept any lens you can throw at it from vintage Leica screw mounts to crazy Russian lenses. Thus giving new life to old gear while also opening up worlds of experimentation not possible before (aka it’s fun).

Patty Lemke, Lenscratch Resource Editor, who keeps our resource pages filled with possibilities.

Favorite Lenscratch post of 2015?

I have two: Thomas Alleman’s Unwinding (the skill he used in the midst of such personal discomfort is remarkable) and Carol Erb’s Animal Intentions.

Favorite Book of 2015

Detroit Unbroken by Dave Jordano
Dave Jordano deliberately set out to offset the ruin porn image of Detroit. I remember being infatuated with the end of the world images that were coming out of the decay- grass growing in deserted board rooms. But Jordano brings a truthfulness that cannot be ignored and his work is far more interesting in the humanity they portray.

What Photographer Inspired you this year?

Debbie Fleming Caffey
I was inspired by her ALPHABET book- the images are mysterious; treating with equal measure the spiritual presence of both humans and animals.

Favorite Personal Instagram Photograph?
I stayed off Instagram in 2015

Favorite Photograph of 2015?
Hellen van Meene

 

Aline Smithson: Founder and Editor-in Chief of Lenscratch

Favorite Lenscratch Post of 2015?

Ryota Kajita: The States Project: Alaska
This post was so exciting for me–we had just started The States Project and the first state was Alaska, Guest Edited by Ben Huff. I didn’t know what to expect from the guest editors and when I saw this beautiful work, I was thrilled not only because I knew the States Project would be successful, but I would probably have never come across this stunning work on my own. It’s such a unique project and Ryota ‘Kaji’ Kajita showed me new worlds within ice formations, so beautifully seen and captured.

Favorite Photo Book of 2015?

There were so many amazing books this year–but the first effort of Aint Bad Publishing, Meg Griffiths‘ Casa de fruta y pan,just spoke to me. To be transparent, I wrote the forward to this book, but it’s Meg’s sumptuous photographs that continue to draw me in.

What Photographer Inspired you this year?

The grand master of all things photographic, Eliot Dudik. I stand in amazement at what Eliot has and can achieve. He is a talented and dedicated large format photographer (we are talking an 8 x 10 camera with double backs–meaning an 8 x 20 camera–see below).

Eliot recently started the new William and Mary photo department from scratch, celebrating its establishment with an exhibition of over 100 photographs garnered from various contemporary photographers, of which Eliot single-handedly printed, mounted, and then burned.

Eliot had nine exhibitions in 2015, 4 of them solo shows, with many more lined up for 2016. He made all the frames for the exhibitions, he created the most talked about leave-behind at last year’s PhotoNOLA and also won the 2014 PhotoNOLA Review Prize for which he produced a monograph with custom made linen and foiled covers. He won the 2015 Archive of Documentary Arts Collection Award from Duke University and the 2015 Flash Forward Award–and has just been nominated for the 2016 Baum Award for Emerging American Photographers. And if that isn’t enough, he and Jared Ragland photographed, produced, and printed a spectacular book in ONE DAY during PhotoNOLA…and I have a copy to prove it.

It doesn’t hurt that he’s a wonderful friend and supporter of all who he encounters. Needless to say, he’s a constant inspiration. And he took my most favorite portrait.

Favorite Personal Instagram Photograph?

What can I say? A little humor, a willing stranger, and Whistler’s Arrangement in Gray and Black: Portrait of the Painter’s Mother. Perfection. https://www.instagram.com/alinesmithson/

Favorite Photograph of 2015?

If you know me well, you will understand this selection by Corrine May Botz.

But then there’s this beauty by Rachel Jump.

Favorite Project of 2015?

Resonantia by Louviere and Vanessa

A innovative, unusual, and amazing body of work..

We wish there were room in this post to celebrate so much more…