Book review: Steinmetz, G. (2009). Empty Quarter: A Photographic Journey to the Heart of the Arabian Desert

Steinmetz, G. (2009). Empty Quarter: A Photographic Journey to the Heart of the Arabian Desert. New York: Abrams.

This is perhaps the only photographic project of the Arabian desert shot from a motorized paraglider.  George Steinmetz had experience documenting desert environments in Africa and China before finally getting permission in 2002 and again in 2004 to explore the Rub al-Khail and fly his aircraft across four countries:  Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Yemen. The book opens with a text review of previous expeditions across this territory before documenting the extensive preparations required for this project.  The images are presented thematically, including:

• Water
• Oil
• Sheba (the area’s most well-known archeological site, Yemen)
• Wildlife
• Shibam (an ancient Yemeni city)
• Camels
• Satellites (imagery from space)

Paper and printing quality is excellent, and the book’s landscape size is perfect for this project.  A variety of framing methods are employed, including white and black mattes, as well as three and four side bleeds.  

While impressive aerial photos of the desert have been used to market the book, the collection includes quite a number of images shot from the ground, including townscapes, farmscapes, people, and wildlife.  Having travelled in parts of the area documented here, I can say with some confidence that Steinmetz captures much of the color and mood of the desert.  This is a book I would like to have to remind me of outings in the Arabian desert.

George Steinmetz: http://georgesteinmetz.com/

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