From the moment you pick this book up, you know you are holding something special. The cover alone tells a story that you just want to read about. It draws you inside to a stunning collection of 200 photographs that have been expertly digitally coloured by Brendan Graham, bringing the original black and white photos to life. And New Zealand historian and author, Jock Phillips, has provided each photo with rich commentary.
Each photo tells a story of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history spanning 100 years when communities were isolated, made their lives from the land and lived an identify forged by the outdoors. This book shows the way New Zealanders experienced life for a century before colour photography became popular. The photos depict a time when people had to adapt to the environment, and band together with a spirit that would become famously Kiwi. Each image in this book is a reminder of who we were and where we’ve come from.
The way the photos have been coloured is an art in itself. Colourising is a slow and meticulous task, similar to painting, as every object in the image must be carefully isolated and colourised based on its highlights, tones and shadows. The end result are photos that provide a window into New Zealand’s history, helping the reader to get closer to the past, and provide a better understanding of how Kiwis lived over time.
As a quality hard cover book, it is something you will treasure forever.
