2008 Woodie Awards
Author portrays Vietnam
Liza Atamy
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
Scott Clarkson said he was shocked at his friends' responses when he mentioned visiting Vietnam and all they knew about the country was the war.
"We have to re-evaluate our thinking of Vietnam," Clarkson said. "The country has a 98 percent literacy rate and is the second largest coffee exporter in the world."
Clarkson was at the Eastridge Barnes and Noble bookstore Saturday, Jan. 26, for a discussion and signing of his new book.
"Windows to Vietnam" a 178-page "coffee-table book" features over 130 photographs taken by Clarkson along with 30 free-verse poems by editor and author Veita Jo Hampton of Tennessee.
"The book is very knowledgeable, and the photos are of exceptional quality," said Linda Mitchell, professor of English and director of the Writing Center at SJSU. Mitchell has known Clarkson for several years.
"He captures present-day Vietnam," Mitchell said. "It is a clean, succinct and coherent presentation of life in Vietnam through his photos."
A practicing Los Angeles attorney who takes weeks off at a time for his travels, Clarkson emphasized to the roughly 10 people at the signing, that this book is not about the war or the past. It is about the growing economy of the country and growing popularity for tourists.
After months of research, taking 400 photos and compiling comprehensive notes, Clarkson and Hampton released their book July 2007.
"The book would not be a book without the poetry," Clarkson said. "(Hampton) made the book."
Graduate history major Erma Jackson said she was impressed with "Windows to Vietnam."
"He took pictures of things a normal person like me wouldn't have even thought of," Jackson said.
Jackson recalled her Vietnamese friend looking through the book and pointing out where she lived and the church she attended.
"She remembers standing right in front of it," Jackson said, "It made her miss home."
Photography has been a passion of Clarkson's for many years. He has traveled to Spain, Italy, Peru, Switzerland, Thailand and many other countries. "I love taking photos. It's different," Clarkson said. "It's a wonderful hobby, and you get to meet interesting people and learn about different cultures."
Clarkson described his trips as a "means to an end" to meet new people and be exposed to unique societies.
Jackson was impressed with the poetry in the book as well.
"The poetry made it come alive," she said. "The language sheds light on the photos, especially if you look at it metaphorically."
Mitchell said that many of her Vietnamese friends who viewed the book enjoyed it very much.
"He's made a real craft out of taking photos," Mitchell said.
The book, according to its Web site, aims to "emphasize a vigorous economy in a small Asian country."
"I was so impressed that I might just take a photo class myself," Jackson said.
Clarkson's next pictorial book in his Windows series will be in Kashmir, India, where he will spend a month in the disputed area between Pakistan and India.
This book will include prose to accompany with his photographs.
"We have to re-evaluate our thinking of Vietnam," Clarkson said. "The country has a 98 percent literacy rate and is the second largest coffee exporter in the world."
Clarkson was at the Eastridge Barnes and Noble bookstore Saturday, Jan. 26, for a discussion and signing of his new book.
"Windows to Vietnam" a 178-page "coffee-table book" features over 130 photographs taken by Clarkson along with 30 free-verse poems by editor and author Veita Jo Hampton of Tennessee.
"The book is very knowledgeable, and the photos are of exceptional quality," said Linda Mitchell, professor of English and director of the Writing Center at SJSU. Mitchell has known Clarkson for several years.
"He captures present-day Vietnam," Mitchell said. "It is a clean, succinct and coherent presentation of life in Vietnam through his photos."
A practicing Los Angeles attorney who takes weeks off at a time for his travels, Clarkson emphasized to the roughly 10 people at the signing, that this book is not about the war or the past. It is about the growing economy of the country and growing popularity for tourists.
After months of research, taking 400 photos and compiling comprehensive notes, Clarkson and Hampton released their book July 2007.
"The book would not be a book without the poetry," Clarkson said. "(Hampton) made the book."
Graduate history major Erma Jackson said she was impressed with "Windows to Vietnam."
"He took pictures of things a normal person like me wouldn't have even thought of," Jackson said.
Jackson recalled her Vietnamese friend looking through the book and pointing out where she lived and the church she attended.
"She remembers standing right in front of it," Jackson said, "It made her miss home."
Photography has been a passion of Clarkson's for many years. He has traveled to Spain, Italy, Peru, Switzerland, Thailand and many other countries. "I love taking photos. It's different," Clarkson said. "It's a wonderful hobby, and you get to meet interesting people and learn about different cultures."
Clarkson described his trips as a "means to an end" to meet new people and be exposed to unique societies.
Jackson was impressed with the poetry in the book as well.
"The poetry made it come alive," she said. "The language sheds light on the photos, especially if you look at it metaphorically."
Mitchell said that many of her Vietnamese friends who viewed the book enjoyed it very much.
"He's made a real craft out of taking photos," Mitchell said.
The book, according to its Web site, aims to "emphasize a vigorous economy in a small Asian country."
"I was so impressed that I might just take a photo class myself," Jackson said.
Clarkson's next pictorial book in his Windows series will be in Kashmir, India, where he will spend a month in the disputed area between Pakistan and India.
This book will include prose to accompany with his photographs.
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