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Radiant Human: Discover the Connection Between Color, Identity, and Energy – Revolutionary Aura Photography Revealing Human Energy
A revolutionary exploration of the relationship between human energy and color, visualized through more than 200 photographs from the “the Annie Leibovitz of aura photography” ( New York Times ) and a “Dutch painter on acid” ( Vogue ).
The prodigal daughter of a visionary painter mother and a two-time commune founding father, Christina Lonsdale was raised by her parents on a commune in Taos, New Mexico, at the dawn of the digital age in the 1990s—formative years when science (the advent of the worldwide web, the introduction of the cell phone) and spiritualism (New Age) occupied equal bandwidth. Having her aura photograph taken awoke a passion that combined her spiritual and technological interests (an aura is an energy field emanating around a living being comprised of mental, spiritual, and emotional levels; an aura camera captures the colors of the aura on Polaroid film). With her first aura camera—the Auracam 6000—she began photographing and analyzing family and friends, then in 2014, took her skills and equipment on the road. Radiant Human includes hundreds of Polaroids selected from the author’s vast archives of some 45,000 images she has taken over a six-year period. The book explores the nature of the human aura, and the notion that aura images may not only capture a person’s essence in that moment, but reveal characteristics of their overall disposition. As Lonsdale describes what all the colors suggest, considering their many variations and nuances, and in relationship to each other. To illuminate her discoveries, she shares her subjects’ stories throughout the book, sometimes accompanied by a single shot, other times by a series of images taken over a period of year. She also includes profiles of well-known people she has photographed including Chloë Sevigny, Joseph Altuzarra, Busy Philipps, and SZA. Lonsdale makes clear that we are not just physical bodies, but collections of energy as well—giving consideration to the relationship of how we present ourselves to the world and who we are as well as the potential reality of the space in between. Her aura work is a study of humanity, and the energy we radiate and receive—the good, the bad, and the weird vibes—helping us understand better who we are.
The prodigal daughter of a visionary painter mother and a two-time commune founding father, Christina Lonsdale was raised by her parents on a commune in Taos, New Mexico, at the dawn of the digital age in the 1990s—formative years when science (the advent of the worldwide web, the introduction of the cell phone) and spiritualism (New Age) occupied equal bandwidth. Having her aura photograph taken awoke a passion that combined her spiritual and technological interests (an aura is an energy field emanating around a living being comprised of mental, spiritual, and emotional levels; an aura camera captures the colors of the aura on Polaroid film). With her first aura camera—the Auracam 6000—she began photographing and analyzing family and friends, then in 2014, took her skills and equipment on the road. Radiant Human includes hundreds of Polaroids selected from the author’s vast archives of some 45,000 images she has taken over a six-year period. The book explores the nature of the human aura, and the notion that aura images may not only capture a person’s essence in that moment, but reveal characteristics of their overall disposition. As Lonsdale describes what all the colors suggest, considering their many variations and nuances, and in relationship to each other. To illuminate her discoveries, she shares her subjects’ stories throughout the book, sometimes accompanied by a single shot, other times by a series of images taken over a period of year. She also includes profiles of well-known people she has photographed including Chloë Sevigny, Joseph Altuzarra, Busy Philipps, and SZA. Lonsdale makes clear that we are not just physical bodies, but collections of energy as well—giving consideration to the relationship of how we present ourselves to the world and who we are as well as the potential reality of the space in between. Her aura work is a study of humanity, and the energy we radiate and receive—the good, the bad, and the weird vibes—helping us understand better who we are.
- GenresPhotography
240 pages, Hardcover
Published April 27, 2021
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 12, 2021
The author has demonstrated ignorance of the history of the subject and has replaced it with her own fantasies, which are largely inconsistent with tradition.
May 5, 2021
Concepts presented about our subtle realms are rudimentary at best. Overall a nice conversation starter but not groundbreaking information as much of it is personal opinion or observation. Images are lovely.
March 23, 2022
What kind of fantasy world is the author living in? Reading this book was laughable, full of make believe and nonsense. Save yourself the trouble - hard pass.
March 23, 2022
Very disappointed with this purchase. Pretty photos but nothing more. Information is just random opinions not based in history or understandings of the subtle energy body. If you know literally nothing about auras maybe you'll like it, but for anyone who has spent any amount of time studying the chakras or the human energy system this book is a complete waste of time and money. It's very basic color theory principles through the lens of an "artist" who is framing ideology about colors based in fiction.
April 28, 2021
I've had the privilege of having my aura photographed by Christina, so as soon as I heard about her new book, I pre-ordered. This book does not disappoint. It's full of fascinating information as well as her mesmerizing aura photography. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2021
I've had the honor of being photographed by Christina in 2017 and 2018. Her perspective on aura photography takes it to the next level of its original intention. Such a fasacinating subject, and even if you're a skeptic, the portraits are still really gorgeous regardless :)
June 13, 2021
Absolutely fascinating stuff!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews