Steffens' 'Family Acid' - A Love Letter To Jamaica
Published:Monday | February 20, 2017 | 12:00 AMKimberley Small
Borne simply from a passion for the reggae sound, and scene, 75-year-old archivist and curator, Roger Steffens, has declared that he will never retire. Over the past four decades, Steffens has evolved from a travelling hobby photographer into the premier reggae archivist. His work has culminated and resulted in the release of eight books, collated through his 44-year-long 'reggae obsession'. Steffens recently released the latest of his publications called The Family Acid: Jamaica.
Extensive travel
Steffens describes the work as an 8 x 10", full colour, hardcover book.
"The Family Acid: Jamaica, is my love letter to Jamaica, illustrating 40 years of travel throughout the island and some of the major figures I've encountered both professionally and privately," Steffens told The Gleaner.
"I've visited more than 30 times since 1976, circumnavigating the island in the process, from Negril to Back-o-Wall, Port Antonio to Mandeville, always with camera in hand," he said.
According to Steffens, early viewers of The Family Acid: Jamaica, have commented that the book captures the real Jamaica, rather than just a series of 'touristy' pictures.
"Between the abundant nature and the fearless use of colour, both in dress and shelter, the images fill my heart with respect and exhilaration and I feel honored that the folks at the Rock House have given me the opportunity to share these precious views with my Jamaican cousins," he said.
The first 250 copies of a first edition of 2,000, receives a free booklet with captions for each of the pictures. The Family Acid: Jamaica, is available at the Rock House Hotel in Negril, which is currently hosting a small exhibit of Steffens' photographs in its lobby.