Daido Moriyama, a prominent figure from Japan’s Provoke era of photography, is known for his spontaneous, grainy images that express social and political upheaval. Farewell Photography, first published in 1972, explores Moriyama’s vision of photographic reality, blending personal and street images alongside photographs of photographs. The work challenges traditional photography by focusing on fragments of reality and rejecting polished imagery, reflecting Moriyama’s critical stance against detached, complacent photography styles. The 2019 edition includes a translated conversation with Takuma Nakahira and expanded notes on each photograph. Read Article

‘Farewell Photography’ is a significant photobook by Daido Moriyama that established his reputation beyond his Provoke work. The reviewed edition is the 2020 Akio Nagasawa canvas-bound reprint of the 2012 version, featuring one image per page. This edition uses 78 images selected from lost negatives of the original series and emphasizes the beauty of photographic ‘mistakes’ such as light leaks and blurs. While not as revolutionary today as at its release, it remains a powerful statement rejecting strict photographic rules and celebrating imperfection. The book is recommended as a secondary Moriyama work, with a moderate rating of four stars. Read Article