French publisher Éditions Delpire & co has released a groundbreaking photography book featuring the work of Madrid-based photographer Luis Baylón, marking his first publication in France. The book, titled 'Luis Baylón: Les Espagnols,' showcases the photographer's commitment to capturing authentic Spanish life through candid street photography spanning over three decades.
Throughout his career, Luis Baylón dedicated himself to what he described as reproducing reality naturally, without composing or altering scenes. His philosophy centered on photographing people as they truly are and as they present themselves to the world, rather than as the photographer might want them to appear. This authentic approach became the hallmark of his distinctive photographic style.
Baylón's journey into photography began at age 26 when his father gifted him a Rolleiflex camera, which became his constant companion throughout his career. With this trusted instrument, he captured spontaneous moments of diverse subjects including children, beggars, prostitutes, and marginalized individuals. His keen eye also focused on stray dogs and cats, street musicians, and fleeting lovers, ensuring that nothing escaped his observant lens.
Quico Rivas, a close friend of the photographer, characterized the 'Baylón formula' as a unique combination of great sincerity, a touch of cunning, a certain audacity, and excellent reflexes. This distinctive approach enabled Baylón to capture intimate moments of urban life that might otherwise go unnoticed by less observant photographers.
The newly published book presents Baylón's world through a carefully curated selection of black and white photographs taken between 1982 and 2014 across various Spanish cities. While the majority of images were captured in Madrid, the collection also includes striking photographs from Barcelona, Benidorm, Murcia, Valencia, and Zamora, providing a comprehensive view of Spanish urban life across different regions.
The publication features accompanying texts by two distinguished contributors who knew Baylón personally. Novelist Andrés Barba and renowned photographer Bernard Plossu, both close friends of the late photographer, each offer unique personal perspectives on their former collaborator's approach and distinctive vision. Their insights provide readers with deeper understanding of Baylón's artistic philosophy and working methods.
By focusing on capturing the essence of the Spanish people, Baylón's work fits seamlessly within the prestigious tradition of Delpire publishing house. The publisher's distinguished collection includes iconic titles such as Robert Frank's 'The Americans' from 1958, Bruno Barbey's 'The Italians' released in 2022, and Henri Cartier-Bresson and Martin Parr's collaborative work 'The English' published in 2023.
'Luis Baylón: Les Espagnols' is published by Delpire & co as a French-language hardcover book measuring 21 x 18.5 centimeters and comes with a protective dust jacket. The 184-page volume contains 91 carefully selected black and white images and carries the ISBN 979-10-95821-79-3, with a retail price of 42 euros. The book is available through the publisher's website at delpireandco.com.
