Book Review: Double Click by Carol Kino
Anna O’Rourke, 1937
Written by Meighan Ashford
Photo Edited by Kelly Woodyard
In her well-researched and eloquently written book "Double Click Twin Photographers in the Golden Age of Magazines," Carol Kino transports readers to the vibrant mid-20th-century magazine era throughvthe lives and works of twin photographers who made a lasting impression.
Frances McLaughlin-Gill, 1942
The story of Kino revolves around the lives and professions of Frances McLaughlin-Gil and Kathryn Abbe, identical twin sisters whose stunning photographs were featured in some of the most prestigious magazines of their era. The twins' childhood, their early adventures in photography, and their eventual rise to the heights of success in the magazine industry are all vividly depicted by Kino through painstaking detail and careful analysis.
Anna O’Rourke, ca. 1929
Kino's skill at tying together the personal and professional facets of the twin’s lives is one of the book's major assets. While following their distinct trajectories through the cutthroat world of photography, she deftly explores each of their distinct personalities. There existed an intriguing dynamic between the two sisters as Frances evinced a daring and inventive approach to her craft, while Kathryn tended towards a more conventional and refined style.
Kathryn Abbe, Portrait of Leonor Fini in Her Studio, 1947-48
In addition to giving readers a thorough grasp of the cultural, social, and artistic currents that influenced the twins' photographic pursuits, Kino also expertly places the twins' work within the larger framework of the Golden Age of Magazines. The twins skillfully and innovatively navigated a variety of genres, from the glossy pages of fashion magazines to the gritty realism of photojournalism, leaving a lasting impression on the visual culture of their time.
Kathryn Abbe, Betsy Drake, Lower East Side, 1943-44
Moreover, readers are also given the opportunity to fully understand the breadth and depth of the twins' artistic vision thanks to Kino's inclusion of breathtaking visual reproductions of their photographs throughout the book. The twins' photographic skill is evident in these shots, but they also provide a window into the complex fabric of mid-century life, revealing subtle nuances and ordinary moments caught in the twins' camera.
Kino does not hold back when examining the complexities and obstacles the twins faced throughout their careers, even as "Double Click" honors their accomplishments. The twins' journey is a monument to talent and creativity as much as it is to resiliency and determination. From negotiating gender dynamics in a male-dominated industry to battling with issues of artistic identity and recognition.
All things considered, "Double Click Twin Photographers in the Golden Age of Magazines" is an essential read for anybody curious about the relationship between cultural history, journalism, and photography.
Carol Kino provides readers with an engrossing glimpse into the lives and work of two extraordinary women who contributed to the formation of the visual landscape of their era through her painstaking research and gripping storytelling. This book is sure to make an impression on readers of all reading levels, but especially on photography enthusiasts thanks to its thoughtful writing and rich illustrations.
Luis Lemus, Frances McLaughlin-Gill, Glamour, © Condé Nast
