From the Sunshine State: Photographs of Florida

by Alex Webb

From the Sunshine State is a captivating documentation of Florida through the lens of photographer Alex Webb. Rather than the stereotypical images of picture-postcard beaches and perfect Art Deco architecture, this eclectic collection of photographs reveals another side of "the sunshine state." Through his travels from Fort Pierce and Daytona Beach to Key Largo, from Suwanee and Apalachicola to Disney World, Webb's vivid and compelling images reflect an exploratory and questioning approach to his subjects, both people and places. Capturing the diverse cultures and subcultures of Florida, these photographs are at times political foray and sociological documentation, and are at times ironic, impressionistic records of the passage of human lives in society. His accompanying text describes his physical and emotional journey across Florida, giving the reader/viewer a special insight into his personal and unique vision.

Alex Webb's photography books include Crossings: Photographs from the U.S.-Mexico Border, Amazon: From the Floodplains to the Clouds, Under a Grudging Sun: Photographs from Haiti Liberé, Hot Light/Half-Made Worlds: Photographs from the Tropics, and the limited edition Dislocations. A member of Magnum Photos since 1979, he has received numerous awards and fellowships. Webb's work has been exhibited worldwide, and his images are in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the International Center for Photography. His photographs have been published in the New York Times Magazine, Life, Geo, National Geographic, Aperture, and many other magazines.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1996

Reviews

[Chris Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deceptive. Seeing it on a shelf, you would think it is a run-of-the-mill coffee table book of overly pretty images of Florida. But it is most certainly not!

This is a gorgeous book, but because of its pursuit of truth. Webb specializes in awkward compositions full of details that add up to a powerful message on life in this state. Not merely an indictment, it shows a broad sample of locations and people, gritty and luxurious and shadowy and colorful.

Sadly, in this world of Instagram and AI, his work is easily overlooked but for his name and reputation. His photos are complicated reads that require time and an openness to feeling, failing at being a quick hit of saccharine pleasure. May his kind somehow survive.

[Matt Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photography of that captures the absurdity and everyday splendor that is Florida. More layers than baklava.