‘Rock Pile of the Summer Dwelling’ is a handmade photobook by James John Midwinter which visually considers his understanding of love. Within the book he arranges personal snapshots together with delicate fleeting moments in nature, to create an emotional portrait of his relationship, of his perception of love.

The book is printed using a japanese risograph machine, a process that is a cross between screenprinting and xerography, which lends each page a tactile, textural richness. Midwinter is deeply inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi sabi, and this is reflected in the subtle variations and imperfections in each riso print. Page edges appear worn and soft black soy ink bleeds slightly in places, creating a nostalgic, time worn aesthetic. 

“I try to avoid making work that is idealised or romantic, however those feelings are valid elements of a relationship, so I did want to include them, but perhaps with less prominence. I instead tried to contrast them with the everyday, the small, perhaps mundane and overlooked moments we share with another, represented by the position of a stone to a tideline, a brushstroke-like piece of seaweed, the darkness within caves. The little things that receive the least, but maybe deserve the most prestige.”

The sense of memory and the presence of imperfection is important to the theme of the photographs within the book. They parallel the passing of time within a relationship, the reality of what life with another brings. Small details and inconsequential moments are considered in a deeper and more analytical way, which gives them space to become the focal point; celebrated for their simplicity and significance.

This theme is developed further by the placement of an original handmade cyanotype photograph on the cover, held in place by traditional photo album corners. Every cyanotype within the series is different: changes in exposure, temperature, and acidity, as well as variations in the coffee toning process all bring out different results in each piece.

“I want the owner of each of the books to have something unique, something precious and personal, a hand crafted connection to the themes I’m portraying.”