Elska Regina, the fifty-eighth book in the Elska series, a project that showcases diverse LGBTQ+ communities around the world, is out now. This latest issue introduces a selection of ordinary local men from four cities within Saskatchewan and Québec, through a blend of intimate photography and personal storytelling.
„I’ll be honest — I didn’t actually intend to make an issue of Elska when I decided to go to Regina, Saskatchewan,” admits Elska editor and chief photographer Liam Campbell. „I went out of sheer curiosity, because it’s a province few people talk about or visit. But I made the mistake of bringing my cameras on my holiday, and soon I found myself meeting local men for photoshoots and interviews.“
“Before I knew it, I was making an issue in Regina, but then the conservative streak that marks ‘prairie society’ started to get me down, “ continued Liam. “So I decided to leave Saskatchewan and go to the province that promised the greatest contrast — Québec — where I then found a few more men. The issue ended up being split into two distinct halves, both very Canadian, but like a tale of two ends of the Canadian cultural spectrum.“
Each of the men who took part in this issue, both in the Saskatchewan and Québec sections, did a photoshoot that consisted of indoor and outdoor scenes, both clothed and unclothed. Each also has a story to accompany their images, including four stories contributed by the men themselves.
The combination of intimate photography and personal storytelling is the essence of all Elska issues, but in Elska Regina, the majority of the texts are in the form of poetry. A range of styles is used for each, including some poems influenced by Karen Solie, Huw Arwystli, Edward A Lacey, and Taylor Swift.
Also complementing this rather arty writing style, the photographic component features more film photography than any previous Elska issue. This analogue component further accentuates Elska’s honest and spontaneous style.
Elska Regina is available now in a collectible print book or in a downloadable e-book. In addition, the companion e-zine Ekstra Regina is available, containing additional stories and hundreds of outtake images. The publications are available for order online as well as from a select group of shops around the world. Ordering information and details of the subscription service can be found on the Elska website: www.elskamagazine.com
