Found shoes at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. One of the book's five sections, into which this photo fits, is "relics."

Found shoes at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. One of the book's five sections, into which this photo fits, is "relics."

‘Southeast Alaska: A Photographic Passage’

In “Southeast Alaska: A Photographic Passage,” float houses and boat harbors appear through mist; oyster catchers stare through foliage. Some images are black and white, others glow with the blues and greens of moss, herring eggs and icebergs.

The images, scenes from the villages, towns, waters and fjords around Southeast Alaska, are the collaboration of Ernest and Larisa Manewal, a father-daughter duo.

“I’m nearly 80, so she wanted to do something with me before I became any more feeble than I already am,” Ernest said, laughing.

One of her main goals for the book was that it be timeless, Larisa said.

Larisa, an artist of many mediums who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at the Brooks Institute in California, spent several months in Portland researching design and organizing the book.

Its sections are “Founding Cultures,” “The Tongass,” “Sea and The Sky,” “Relics,” and “Glacial Geology.”

“I just felt like those sections embodied most of what I want to say about Southeast,” she said.

Each photo is accompanied by a short description of the subject and where the photo was taken. One of her favorites is a young girl, dancing. The caption reads only “Tsimshian dance group / Metlakatla Native Reserve.”

Though the description of each photo is spare, each one means something different to her — and, at times, to its subject.

The photo meant something to the girl “at a very dark time,” Larisa said.

Larisa spent four of the last few years as a cultural and scientific expedition leader for Allen Marine’s cruises, and visited many smaller villages through her work with them, which helped her collect images. She didn’t manage to get as far north as Yakutat, but the book covers Metlakatla to Skagway.

The duo wanted to make the book as attractive to locals as to tourists, something that in this reader/viewer’s opinion, they’ve accomplished.

“I consciously put in a lot of rainy days,” Larisa said. “You don’t want to just have a sunny book when we live here. Same with winter versus summer.”

All the book’s images are things the reader could conceivably see if they visit the towns.

Ernest Manewal has lived in Sitka for 40 years. Larisa was born there.

Some of Ernest’s favorite Southeast Alaskan images are of wildlife and landscapes, he said.

“I like patterns, and things that are maybe a little off the beaten track,” he said.

One of his photos that made it into the book is of an old boat named “Arch Angel” in Pelican. It resonated with him because of Sitka’s one-time name of New Archangel, he said.

He’s attracted to eyes, as well — fish eyes, bird eyes. An oystercatcher in the book stares at the reader; Ernest liked the photo because the bird was both looking at him and trying to hide from him.

“It’s just a matter of being aware, and looking around, and taking it slowly, and observing what’s around you,” he said.

Ernest is also the author of another book Southeast Alaskans likely recognize: “Sitka: Between the Mountains and the Sea,” which covers “a little bit of everything” in Sitka and is almost sold out of its second printing, he said.

Ernest and Larisa printed 3,000 copies of “Southeast Alaska: A Photographic Passage,” and they don’t plan another print run, Larisa said.

She will be signing copies of the book at Hearthside Books downtown during First Friday. The books are also for sale for $29.95 at the Soboleff Building, Kindred Post in Juneau, and bookstores around Southeast Alaska.

• Contact CCW staff writer Mary Catharine Martin at maryc.martin@capweek.com.

Dancers in Metlakatla Indian Community.

Dancers in Metlakatla Indian Community.

A black oystercatcher in St. Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge.

A black oystercatcher in St. Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge.

Chief Son-I-Hat Whale House in Kasaan.

Chief Son-I-Hat Whale House in Kasaan.

Icebergs on Shakes Lake, which flows into the Stikine River.

Icebergs on Shakes Lake, which flows into the Stikine River.

More in Neighbors

Students at Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School participate in a Financial Reality Fair. (Photo courtesy of John Paul / Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School)
Neighbors briefs

Skate to “Frozen” at Treadwell Arena’s Movie in the Park on March… Continue reading

Students and volunteers participate in the fifth annual Curiosity Unleashed at Thunder Mountain High School on Feb. 26. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau STEAM Coalition)
Neighbors: Letters of thanks

Thanks for help with Curiosity Unleashed event We from the Juneau STEAM… Continue reading

Laura Rorem is a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church. (Courtesy of Laura Rorem)
Living and Growing: The beauty of brokeness

Panicked, I feverishly wandered into my mother’s sewing room looking for her.… Continue reading

Rosemary focaccia bread ready to serve. (By Patty Schied)
Cooking for pleasure: Rosemary focaccia bread

When I am lucky enough eat at good Italian restaurants in Seattle… Continue reading

Bridget Braley, Anderson Murray, Matthew Schwarting, Oscar Lamb and Evan Converse participated in the Southeast Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition on Feb. 10. (Photo courtesy of MATHCOUNTS)
Neighbors briefs

Local student “mathletes” participate in 2024 regional math competition A team of… Continue reading

(File photo)
Neighbors: Letters of thanks

Thanks for supporting family services I am writing on behalf of Family… Continue reading

Donna Leigh is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Courtesy photo)
Living and growing: A word for your year

I recently read an article by Emily Linder who wrote an article… Continue reading

Local students visit Sir Plowsalot, one of the vehicles named by local youths in a city-sponsored contest. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Neighbors: Juneau students name CBJ Streets winter maintenance vehicles

Students at Montessori Borealis Public School and Juneau Community Charter School recently… Continue reading

A warm blanket offers warm wishes at the author’s home. (Photo by Peggy McKee Barnhill)
Gimme a Smile: Have blanket, will travel

Like Linus in the “Peanuts” comic strip I love my blanket. I… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)
Living and Growing: The passion of Christ

As an admitted word geek I often find the origin of English… Continue reading