It isn’t often that the title of a book resonates so well with its theme, but this is exactly what stands out about Michael Magers’ book, Independent Mysteries. Utilizing a unique structure, Magers places his images in a seemingly random order with no use of description, place or date. It isn’t until the final pages of the book that Magers allows his readers to gain a sense of his vision, one that is far from random.

Magers’s execution of photography is striking, as each image is a new fresh take of something unseen. Even with a small variety of photos holding similar themes, the longer one views the picture, the easier it is to witness the differences. In some images, timing, symmetry and lines play with the mind and begins to ask questions like, “why is that man staring at a wall” and “is that person wearing any clothes in a crowded street?” With crisp lines and sharp detail, to deep contrasts, blurry and out of focus images, Magers strings together a body of work that seems vague yet connected at the same time.

The book leaves an aura of intentional vagueness due in large part to the lack of description or even context, which is never provided. These images speak to the reader and tease them with the truth that they will never be given the privilege of knowing or understanding the full story. Magers enlists the assistance of artists and writers to compose an original poem or short essay based on a single image. Each writing piece is completely unique, adding its own small flare to the image that furthers the curiosity of the reader. This style serves to engage with the connection or words and pictures, slightly skewing the viewer’s perception of each image.

After 85 pages, readers finally get some sense of an explanation in the form of a writing done by Magers himself. With praise for his friends and family, as well as a nod to his fellow collaborators, Magers provides a slight narrative for his idea process and how his book came to be. Stating, “the book didn’t start as a collaboration with other artists” Magers reminds his readers of his intentions that come in the form of tension and connectedness. The book begs for this confusion to act as somewhat of a frustrating factor that engages with readers as they yearn for the unanswered.

Independent Mysteries is the most on-point title as every image provides a story unknown to the viewer. These stories Magers tells through each image fill readers with questions that cause further curiosity even with the inclusion of short writings and poetry. In-turn it seems that Magers accomplishes just what he wants, and allows for the notion that these are individual, uncompleted stories, devoid of answers.

As collaborator Larry Fink stated regarding the books mysteries, “it will stick to you as will many of these images burrowing softly into your assorted pores” a feeling that couldn’t ring truer.

Michael Magers’ book, Independent Mysteries is available at his website, here.