With an exceptional balance of sample imagery and writing, it will be right at home with any collection of photobooks. At a hefty 360 pages, Visually Speaking will command a presence on any bookshelf or coffee table. The images used to further Forbes’ points in any given chapter are well thought out and bridge the gap between understanding and actually seeing a concept followed through. Being able to see these images outside of a screen spurs a fondness for the value of the printed medium by re-establishing the ability to physically interact with the work.

The emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach assists his points further as he delves into ideas of style and theory, and inspires a level of creativity that can impact both amateurs and professionals alike. This book can be picked up by someone with any degree of experience in the field without being overly daunting or repetitive, making it that much more accessible to a wider audience. Forbes touches on all the common educational talking points, without being bogged down by the minutiae of any given subject. 

What stood out to me most was Forbes’ sense of lineage. Since the onset of social media, this topic has felt brushed past as more and more photography is made available to the average viewer – the direct lines of legacy throughout the early history of photography, and the lack thereof seen in the modern art form post-social media. The names Adams, Avedon and Frank can feel thrown in as a “required” note in some educational materials, but seeing Forbes draw from his own mentors and inspirations, you can feel the thorough and thoughtful analysis in each anecdote.

Visually Speaking could easily become a regular piece of the curriculum for the next generation of photographers. Releasing on Tuesday, December 17th, you can pick up your own copy here.