The title of this captivating book is obviously a play on words. It showcases the photographic art of Phil and Susie Audibert and at the same time opens our eyes to the inherent artfulness of our sporting endeavor. I have used photographs by the Audiberts in Covertside, in the Millwood House foxhunting calendar, and in Foxhunting Life with great pleasure in the past, so I admit that I am not an impartial reviewer.
The photography is beautiful, not only by virtue of the artistic talent of the shooters in seeing and composing balanced and flowing images, but also because they have done the hard work in the field away from the meet—waiting in the country, sometimes in vain but occasionally rewarded by the opportunity for that single-chance shot of action and beauty. And in all kinds of weather! Some of my favorite images that resonated with old memories were dull, cold, wet hunting scenes blurred by falling snow and sleet.
When photographers ask me what I look for in photographs for my publications, I tell them (1) motion and action, (2) compelling landscapes, or (3) a photo that tells a story about foxhunting. Henceforth I will refer those questioners to this book. It contains prime examples of all three sorts of images that I seek.
The book is divided into eight sections: An Introduction to Foxhunting, The Hunt, The Fox, The Hound, The Horse, The Season, The Tradition, and The Land. And although the book is primarily a photographic essay on hunting, the pages of text that introduce each section are totally artful in themselves and worthy of savoring. They are written with perception, intensity, and authority. Here’s an excerpt from “An Introduction to Foxhunting”:
“The allure of foxhunting is something intangible because it is different things to different people. Foxhunting is (take your pick): a chess game, a concert, a ritual, a time-honored tradition. It’s wildlife both two-and four-legged, a breathtaking view, a fashion show, a lesson in good grooming, a social obligation, a risky endeavor, a thrilling pursuit. It forges a bond between man and animal, and sometimes breaks that bond. It’s a conditioning regimen, a dog training seminar, a study of the characteristics of scent, a military exercise, and a trail ride. It can be an ego booster and red-faced humiliation all in the same day.
“The list goes on and on. But to us, it’s an art form.”
Here is a book to both visually enthrall the foxhunter and to reveal the allure of hunting to the uninitiated.
November 22, 2010