Close Far

About this book

In Close far, Nixon presents a dichotomous group of photos made with his signature large-format view camera, in this case one with an 11 x 14 inch negative. The first half of the book contains self-portraits, comprising, in Nixon's words, sketches of an old man. Filled with anxiety, longing and contentedness, these images chronicle the shapes, slopes and pores of Nixon's face. The second half of the book shows views of buildings in the densest part of Boston. Made from high within the buildings and with the same camera, these images without horizons do not gaze down upon but rather through the city. With the lens in the same orientation as his self-portrait photos, Nixon's results are remarkable for their richness of detail and complexity of form.