VINALHAVEN
PORTRAIT OF A MAINE ISLAND
A love letter to Vinalhaven
Experience the beauty and charm of Vinalhaven Island, Maine, with the first coffee table photography book dedicated to portraying its landscapes, architecture, and people.
The book features more than 100 black-and-white photographs captured by Joel Greenberg, a professional photographer who has lived seasonally on Vinalhaven since 1977. They are accompanied by the compelling narratives of author and humorist Phil Crossman, a Vinalhaven native, and preceded with a foreword by Andrew Cohen, a prominent author, journalist and long-time seasonal resident. The book was designed by Lucian Burg, a professional graphic designer based in Portland and Vinalhaven, Maine. This incredible team adds to the book's authenticity and has produced a Vinalhaven original.
Vinalhaven: Portrait of a Maine Island was initially published in a limited edition of 500 copies, which sold out in 2 months. A second printing is out now.
Joel Greenberg's commitment to perfection is evident in every aspect of the book's printing. He considered nine proofs from six presses before settling on the perfect printer to bring his vision to life. The result is a visually exquisite book that captures the character and uniqueness of Vinalhaven.
The photos were taken with a large-format 8" x 10" view camera dating to 1929, giving them a vintage look that could only be achieved with this classic film format. They were developed in a studio darkroom on the island that had a handpump to supply water to mix chemicals and wash film, adding to the book's charm and authenticity.
Whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast of Vinalhaven or are discovering it through these stirring images and words, Vinalhaven: Portrait of a Maine Island is a celebration of what makes this island distinctive. It also is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of film photography.
Part of the book's sales will go to the Vinalhaven Historical Society to support the preservation of the island’s past.
Portrait
Portrait photography expresses a person’s personality and reveals who they are, beyond a likeness of their appearance. In just the fraction of a second that it takes for the shutter to open and close, their essence is captured on film. The islander photo series gave Joel the opportunity to get to know the people of Vinalhaven and to tell their stories. It added another dimension to his love of the island.
Landscape
Landscape photography is the art of capturing a moment in time. The light, the clouds, the fog, the wind, the water, all combine to create a worthy landscape moment. A landscape photographer has to be attuned to when all those elements coalesce to create a great photograph. It is always a challenge and that moment is never the same again. Vinalhaven is a wonderfully rich place to capture moments like these.
“It seems like I have been chasing clouds all of my life.” — Joel Greenberg
About the Photographer
Here’s Joel under the dark cloth of his 8” x 10” view camera on Vinalhaven in the late 1970s. This Century Universal Field camera was made by Folmer and Schwing, just one of a hundred produced in 1929. The photographs in the book were taken with this large-format film camera through the years.
“The image you see on the camera’s ground glass offers a surprisingly unique advantage. With its very large dimensions, you can gain a clear preview of what the final print will look like, allowing for a more accurate visualization to achieve a beautiful photograph.”
— Joel Greenberg
What people are saying:
“We’re completely mesmerized by the wonderful images and the text that so perfectly enlivens them. All of it is just beautiful and so engaging.”
— Claudia Dengler and Doug Fincham, Vinalhaven residents
“Joel Greenberg’s photos are elegant, evocative of a time and place and really gorgeous. And Phil Crossman’s writing makes this book warm and compassionate; his vignettes give the book substance and heart—and a gentle wash of humor.”
— Kelly Frick Richards, Vinalhaven resident
“This book will be a treasure for all time.”
— Elin Elisofin, Vinalhaven resident
“The book is beautiful, emotionally evocative, and it does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Vinalhaven…I am certain it will become the definitive book about Vinalhaven and that everyone who loves the island will want a copy.”
— Dr. Avrum Weiss, author and Vinalhaven resident
NBC News 207 interview: “On a small Maine island, this book became an unlikely bestseller.”
NEWS CENTER MAINE’s Rob Caldwell Interviews Joel, Phil and the staff at the Fisherman’s Friend store about the book.
