Documentary-collections Books

[ [ASIN: 0300093616 Emmet Gowin: Changing the Earth] ]
I had seen the show of Emmet Gowin's photographs at the Corcoran and was moved by the haunting beauty of the images. After being reintroduced to the work I decided to buy the book for myself and I am glad I did. It allows me to spend more time with Gowin's images and contemplate the many layers of realization and feeling locked into the photographs. Even if we didn't know or recognize the source the work we would still be haunted by the natural and human made melancholic patterns of line, space and color of the photographs themselves.
David Carlson

`Changing the Earth' is a collection of beautiful and compelling aerial photographs that were taken over 14 years. Where Adams has shown us the beauty of the land before man has stepped upon it, Gowin shows us what the land looks like after man has used it. Gowin is one of the best printers (photographic) in the world and quality of his work is very obvious in this book.

Like a great deal of aerial photography (Bradford Washburn's naturalistic mountain work immediately comes to mind in this connection), Emmet Gowin's meticulously detailed portfolio depicting man's ambition writ large upon the surface of our planet can often be 'read' as much as abstract art as documentary record. As art, this series of images of a wounded planet is so deceptively compelling it is easy to become lost in the sensuousness of the aesthetic moment Gowin repeatedly creates and forget that the subject matter being systematically explored is intrinsically disturbing and of concern. Indeed, the experience of finding so much beauty in landscapes of man-made desolation and ruin is unnerving. Yet it is undeniable that from a distance the patterns on the Earth made by irrigation pivots, toxic chemical ponds, missile burial trenches, mining pits, and numerous other manifestations of human 'development' without limits are endlessly unique and dramatic. Paradoxically, it is precisely this nexus of visually stimulating, geometrically intricate imagery generated in the context of wanton exploitation and destruction of the land that sustains the narrative and aesthetic power of Changing The Earth. One is absorbed in the beauty of the photography just long enough to catch sight and become painfully aware of the pervasive, intensely consequential, problem that demands attention and thought. Thus lessons for the future abound in the pages of this volume! One day our way of taking the Earth for granted by first depleting its resources for immediate gain and then dumping what is no longer wanted or useful wherever is convenient, will be seen as the opulent conceit and obscene luxury that it surely is. Until that day, studies like Changing The Earth bare witness to our collective folly, greed and irresponsibility.

This book despite it's somewhat horrific subject matter has a beauty so deep and profound it restores my faith and interest in Black and White image making. Beautifully printed it is a book that any budding black and white landscape photographer should own.

I picked this up after seeing an exhibit of Borges work at a gallery in San Diego. The images in this book capture the essence of his work in that they express the dignity of people in various cultural and geographic settings simply and beautifully . Wonderful Book to return to again and again. Very uplifting.

I have not seen the book, but rather gone to a art show that has the same pictures as the book. It is a wonderful exploration of people we may never get to meet unless through Phil's work. A beautiful set of artwork and stories on the people he has captured through the lens. I love his work. He has a fan in me!

Borges' work is stunning to behold, but if you can't make it to a gallery showing of his work, this nicely laid out book is the next best thing. His original technique of selective sepia toning, applied only to the flesh, beautifully complements his compositional style of pulling his subjects clearly out in front of their surroundings. The final effect is to concentrate the viewer's attention onto the person as an individual -- the often-exotic setting provides context and a deeper understanding, but does not distract. The dignity of Borges' subjects shines through, and the fact that this work is connected with Amnesty International is an added bonus.

This book is a haunting collection of beautiful photos that are inspiring and provocative. We have been focusing on saving the environment and the animals for so long that we forget that there are entire cultures of human beings being removed from our planet. Borges has captured this in a manner that is not depressing, but inspiring and a tribute to the human spirit.

This is one of the best books of vintage erotica ever published! Collector and dealer, Alexandre Dupouy, has been a lifelong student of archeology and photography. And he's melded these two interests into a single-minded and scholarly pursuit of amassing the erotic works of all the early photography masters. His archive is an astonishing omnibus of rare and unique erotic photos and this new book is a breathtaking glimpse into that almost forgotten world. Erotic Art Photography is packed from cover to cover with full-page images showcasing the work, most of which is unique to this book, of numerous photographers including Pierre Louÿs, Guglielmo Plüschow, Vincenzo Galdi, Constan, Henri Oltramare, José-Maria Canellas, François Bertin, André Dignimont, Grundworth, Michel Simon, Albert Wyndham, Yva Richard, and dozens of others.

It's important to stress that this is not just another presentation of the same images featured in so many other books of vintage erotica - most are rare pieces never before published in book form. It's a spectacular ride. And the production quality is almost up to par with the immaculate contents. It's a huge, superbly crafted book, 12x11" in size, and 256 pages.

The history and insights provided by Dupouy in the preface as well as in each of the six sections of the book is not only an erudite and informative study, it is also an obvious conduit for Dupouy's love for the medium. These photos are a precious treasure to him and he shares not only his knowledge here, but his love and enthusiasm as well.

The only defect of this book is its inaccurate title. It's called "Erotic Art Photography", nevertheless, I would not consider most of the photographs in this book "erotic", and if you consider that there is a difference between "artistic nudes" and "erotic art", you probably would also consider these pictures in the former group.

Now, do not misunderstand me, it is absolutely beautiful, showing you the artistic nude photography through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Both my wife and I enjoyed it tremendously. Nudes as old as 1850s, a wonderful collection.

This really is a fabulous photographic coffee-table book. Not only is it superbly produced; it also contains mostly previously unseen photographic work from the 1839-1939 era. It's easy for Americans to forget that much of the original development of photography took place in France. Nude photography began almost with the birth of the technology. The French led the way in using the nude in every art form including the nude photograph. The legendary French postcards really were as infamous as rumored. They were also quite common. In fact, postcards of all kinds were used to record and broadcast news events. That was also true in the United States but didn't include sending postcards of nudes through the mails.
As I was enjoying the book and receiving a refresher course in photographic history, I found it amazing that all the lovely models in the hundreds of images were long since dead and buried. Their individual beauty exists only in the surviving photographs of them at their physical prime and they were indeed beautiful. The collection includes some pleasant surprises such as the only known nude torso picture of actress Sarah Bernhardt and several pictures of Josephine Baker. This books is compiled from the author's own extensive collection of erotic B&W and hand colored photographs. He deliberately didn't include previously published images from well-known and famous photographers (Brassai, Kertesz, Krull or Man Ray) preferring to expose largely unknown images to the public. There aren't any pornographic images in this volume. There are situations which hint at lesbian and S&M relationships, but that is mostly in the mind of the viewer. The few men included in the book are usually dressed and serve only as props, no pun intended. And there are some works of the mysterious Mr. X included. He and his friends are shown in a few of the examples of the thousands of pictures he took. The book does contain many examples of humor, most of it intended, but some accidental. Once the reader has read the book he will understand the reference to men as props. This is an excellent book for so many reasons most of which haven't been mentioned in this review, but will be obvious to the viewer of the volume.
After reading this book the reader will realize that one of the sad results of World War II on France was that it brought to an end the dominance of French nude photography and France's dominance of any of the photography or cinematic art forms. It was the French bureaucrats and censors ultimate revenge on the freedom of the arts. And that result was truly unfortunate. If the viewer of this book reads French they will receive extra satisfaction from being able to understand the French captions printed on many of the actual postcards, business/visiting cards and photographs. This is a beautiful and lovingly done art book. The author's passion for the subject is obvious and that enthusiasm permeates every word and image included in the book. This is book is a very nostalgic trip back in time.

This is a high quality book, beautifully printed with a wonderful range of photos from the period (1895 through to 1935). It is a book comparable in quality to Allen's Premiere Nudes (from the same era), which I also have. It is a large book and most of the photos are full page. As for the photos, they are both clear and richly printed, which I have rarely seen for this era. It covers a range of styles and photographic processes. There are many examples of unretouched photos, thankfully due to these photos coming from private collections. A book I can recommend to connoisseurs and collectors of this era.

It sounds crazy, but Carter really did a good job of capturing these horses' feelings. What's more, is that he photographed them so well. This is a must have for horse lovers and for people that are wanting a great coffee table addition.

You'll love this.

iKnow

Whoa! No one can begin to describe Keith Carter's style and vision. You have to experience it. It's not just what he sees, it's how he renders it, making it new and timeless too. This is a book you'll want to open often.

i admit i was skeptic when i first heard about this book, and i had no intentions of buying it. i'm not that crazy about horses. but i got a look at an advanced copy, and i saw the the work was just beautiful and i had to have it. be sure to look at orange tree and nude and arabian, which are my two favorite pictures.

I appreciate a good horse as much as the next guy. Looking at horses through Keith's eyes makes me love them. I'm not going to run out and buy tight pants and a helmet because of this book, but you get the idea. The images are well made and seen. Not all of the pictures have the tilt-shift look which has been overdone so that's good. The layout is great. A square book for a square image. Keith's little ditty about Ezekiel's Horse is a warm piece of writing. If you're a Keith Carter fan, buy the book. If you like horses, buy the book. If your interested in photography, buy the book. If your name is Mr. Ed, look for your portrait on page 29, then call your lawyer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this very interesting history of the early days of Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba. The photos of Osvaldo Salas and his son Roberto, personal photographers and confidants of "el jeffe", have never been seen in the US. The personal anecdotes relating to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are fascinating and give new insight into these historic characters. It is fascinating to read that the long hair and beards of the 60's anti-establishment hippie movement had its roots with the "barbudos" the soldiers of Fidel's revolution. The chapter on the bay of pigs invasion gives new insight to this historic event. The beautiful photos in the chapter, Cuba the land and the people are stuning. Overall a good read, great photography of an interesting topic.

Soon Castro may be judged by history, as he once claimed he wanted to be, and the facts point in the direction of a dark, blood-stained judgement. Nonetheless, the photography in this book is a brilliant work of photojournalist art.

They take us from the tender beginnings of a Revolution of bearded young men against a bloody tyrant. They are young gods in olive-green uniforms. The photo of Camilo Cienfuegos and another unidentified bearded guerrilla in front of the Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial in DC is magnificent. What did America think of these young white men, in their dark, long hair and their huge beards? It stunned and seduced the nation and the seeds of the hippie movement were planted.

The book delivers with visual insight and power. The photographs are vivid and full of history. My highest possible rating!

Apart from the amazing photography, which captures an epoch so freqently only seen through CIA-filtered eyes, the book is a simple overview of the Cuban revolution and the real people of Cuba - not just the materialistic bourgouisie - who supported Castro and still do. Most enigmatic of all are the photos of Castro and Che, and then just Che, his magnetism shining through regardless of his beliefs.

Set your politics aside. Look at this wonderful book and ponder how close Fidel and Che came to actually getting it right.

For the millions of Americans who have only ( until recently ie since the Pope's visit to Cuba ) seen Fidel as a military man this book adds a bit of humanity to that image. The imae of him as a threat to my safety is a view I could only suspect was being presented me as my government's own bit of propaganda (thinking of how recent publication's on how the Soviets used photography as a tool to control the masses) I was genuinely pleased to have my suspicions confirmed.

Nonetheless, upon opening this book, one finds that it is more than meets the eye. It is not the political treatise one might expect. I am grateful for the honesty the son (Roberto) gave in the acknowledging the irony in being both a suporter of the cause as well as a photographer/reporter of history.

Of particular interest, which I think self taught photographers may find of interest, is the many anecdotes on how Roberto and his father "made do" with what little equipment they had (both before going to Cuba and after) and how they shared equipment. Such disclosures dispell the popular belief that an aspiring photographers needs all the latest gadgetry that manufacturers pump out. The kind of "socialism they [Cubana] fought for is the kind struggling artist could practice.

From a political perspective. The book (story) of how the U.S. Government ousts individuals be they journalist or subversives is touched on. This is a book that may touch the heart and the soul of a anyone who suspects Cuba and Castro have stories to tell. Finally, it is a photographic feast of photojournalism from the inside of not only the revolution but the photographers who documented it.

Because I was not a professional photographer but a participant of many of the events that stand out so well in the sixties, I was able to capture intimate moments behind the scenes of the movers and the shakers.. the icons of the Sixties, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Nico, Janis Joplin, Big Brother, and the Holding Company, Otis Redding, Tiny Tim, Timothy Leary, Dennis Hopper, Coretta Scott King, Andy Warhol, Harrison Ford, Cher, Peter Fonda.. and events like Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and the Human Be-In. Stories and interviews included give one a feeling that they were there sharing those special moments frozen in time. An introduction by Ram Dass lets the reader know how important this history is. Because of this book, the Museum of American History at the Smithsonian exhibited a show of 63 pieces of my work which you can see on line and they hold a permanent collection of 208 images for all time. If you wish you were there or you were, you will love this book. It is now out of print with the Chronicle Books label but will soon be out again in the year 2000 with Square Books.

Lisa Laws wonderful photographs bring the Sixties back to me in all its chaotic vigor. Several of her photos are in my book, Sleeping Where I Fall, and besides being a great pal, she has been an avid and persistent chronicler of her time. It's a treat to see once again, friends, heros, and icons "as they were" ...uncreased by age, and borne aloft by promise and hope.

If you weren't there when it was all happening, this wonderfully gifted photogropher was.

Lisa Law will take your hand and bring you back to one of the most vibrant times in our history. See it for the first time, or just go back for a visit.

Our sese of inocennse is still waiting there for us. Perhaps we can recapture it.

This is one of the most awesome books I've ever had the delight to see.

A comprehensive and colorful overview of the counter culture and the communities of the Sixties. This book is a must for the collection of any 60's culture enthusiast. Come to know the personalities of the sixties intimately through the progressive accounts in this book. The photographs are amazing! See for yourself....

No matter what your age, you will be touched by the compelling words and images brought to life by James Nocito. With every turn of the page, one feels as if they have discovered a private family treasure. It evokes tender emotions, sadness, wonder, and joy. It satisfies the need we have to connect with our past, and find wisdom in the lives of others. This is a wonderful gift that will grow more precious with time.

Each time I pick up this book I see yet another fascinating detail that I missed the last time. The photos are beautiful, haunting, funny and most of all real. It is really cool to look into someone's life for that split second.

What a treat to come across this book! I am neither a photography buff nor someone steeped in nostalgia, but Nocito's eye for snapshots from an earlier time and his ear for the stories that might go with them is astonishing. The lure is in both the details and in the window it provides to an earlier time and place, one we all share on the level of memories that are visceral. The pictures are funny and startling and genuine. They tell us how much of our lives have changed and how much they have stayed the same over the past decades. A real delight and one that bears repeating. Unlike other "picture" books, this one offers its delights over and over. Great gift, especially to yourself.

In Found Lives, James Nocito has devised a unique method of utilizing his many old photographs, either given to him or collected at various estate and tag sales. Through careful scrutiny of the elements in the photograph (the people, expressions, angles, shadows, background, etc.) Nocito has created new and imaginitive lives and situations for the subjects. In one, an outdoor scene under tall trees, a smiling man holds an equally smiling woman upside down in his arms. "Everyone said poor Aunt Constance was made of patience, married to a man like Roscoe. The ladies in her Bible group prayed that there'd be a moment's rest for her someday...."

The book is divided into sections, with headings such as "Family Album," "Talking Pictures," and "Love." Under "Children," Nocito has reproduced a picture of a laughing child on a back porch, along with a quote from Anne Cameron, "A Child of Happiness always seems like an old soul living in a new body...she smiles, then the sun lights up the world." Each photograph provides a little vignette into the imagined lives of men, women, and children in the past, bucolic scenes which may recall photographs we may have, stored away in our own attics or old shoe boxes, forgotten, until James Nocito revives and revitalizes them for us.

This is Howard Roffman's eighth book, and a beautiful display of youth it is! All 176 pages of this book showcase seven young men who are on the verge of adulthood in natural settings in and out of doors. What is intriguing about these photos is the playfulness of these very young, handsome men, who are naturally photogenic as they get naked and have fun in bed, in the woods, and in the bath. These images will someday be a beautiful history and reminder to these young men of the time when they were at perfection in their youthful beauty. Roffman knew two of these young men who introduced him to others, who were friends and some of them lovers. Roffman is a wonderful photographer and each book he publishes seems to get better and bigger. He certainly knows how to capture and freeze the beauty of youth, and his fans are thrilled that he does. This book should be in every serious collector's library. Touching and Tender, and beautifully designed!

Joe Hanssen

What a wonderfully executed collection of male photography! The men are stunning, the artistic value is self-evident, and the settings are idyllic. What more could one ask for? SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND SENSUAL.

Howard Roffman is an excellent photographer. The fact that he takes pictures of men nude is even better. His photos are not just to stir the senesual side of you. He takes his photos in a way to see depth of the model, the individual in the picture. Many posses are sexual but classie. He is showing the male form is ways that you see more than a nake man in the photo. Every book of his buy I am inspired by what I see. Takes a man with talent to pose a man to show more than his body.

Friends & Lovers is a major new work from acclaimed photographer Howard Roffman. Friends & Lovers is Roffman's 8th photo book and at 176 pages is the largest book ever published by Bruno Gmünder.
With his signature photo-narrative style, Roffman documents the real-life relationships of 7 attractive young men in the transition between the innocence of youth and a more worldly perspective of adulthood.
The book chronicles Roffman's own journey as much as it chronicles that of the 7 young men. The journey began for Roffman in 1999 with a chance encounter between himself and a young man named Jeremy. The encounter began a sequence of introductions as each model brought a new member to the group. Inspired by the strong bonds and passionate relationships within the group, Roffman photographed these young men over a three-year period, culminating in the book.
Friends and Lovers goes far beyond Romanesque posed images of muscled men and instead creates a world of real characters not afraid to expose their true relationships or give us insights into their most intimate moments. Commenting on the book, noted photographer Tom Bianchi has stated, "Older gay men might wish that they had this kind of erotic and playful start on their romantic life journeys. Roffman's book celebrates the fact that this kind of youth . . . is real for those who choose it now. He captures many elegant tender moments that suggest that this is always how we should have been."

THE PICTURES IN THIS BOOK ARE WONDERFUL. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN GHOST TOWNS. I LOVE IT.

An Outstanding book Glad to have it in my collection. Great for trip planning

Having been to many of the places described here with my camera, I can only say the photos are stunning....and anyone who doesnt think the western sky can be that blue needs to go to a few of these places in the spring or fall when the sky is clear.

While Bodie is my favorite, a lot of others such as Silver City Idaho get less attention.

It's also sad to note that many of the unprotected places are disappearing as more and more nincompoops on fourwheelers destroy and steal what little remains.

Bodie, a ghost town in the Sierras beyond Yosemite, is preserved by California park rangers in a state of arrested decay. It's a magical place, one of my favorites, but I have never seen it as this German photographer depicts it, bathed in the surreal light of car headlights. Here, you can feel the presence of the ghosts-in the schoolroom, the general store, and lodging house; most of all in the 1940s car with its gaping windshield, abandoned in the long grass. Wim Wenders, poet and filmmaker of lonely places, writes in the preface: "These buildings...suddenly have great dignity. They stand there gazing into the camera like very old people who have never before had their pictures taken, after a lifetime of work and sacrifices." (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

Rarely can a book change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but everyone who reads Craig Barber's text and looks at his magnificent photographs will never look on Vietnam the same way again.

With gentle intensity, great compassion, a brilliant eye, and great skill and talent to realize his vision, Barber returned to Vietnam 28 years after having served as a US Marine at the age of 18 and photographed what he saw.

Thank you Craig Barber for letting us in on your very personal journey. Each photograph is like a little movie that grows and becomes richer and deeper every time I turn the page and return again.

Barber's photographs are masterpieces.

This book is exquisitely printed and put together, bravo to the publisher, Umbrage.

A must have and the perfect gift for lovers of travel, history, or just beautiful photography.

Craig Barber reminds us of the magic and importance of documentary photography. After all, it is real! What a gift.

This is an incredible book! The photographs are not only sensual and beautiful, but they are incredibly powerful, coming from a place of depth... I highly recommend this book.

I came of age during the Vietnam war and so have had many preconceptions about Vietnam and how it might be depicted. Craig Barber's images and words, and Alison Nordstrom's essay replaced any old memeories and preconceptions with evocative elegaic landscapes that one lingers over and remembers. A beautifully wrought landscape of the mind. A stunning book in every way. Thank you, Craig and Alison.

Mr. Barber has spent many years developing his artistic vision with the two-lens, large format pinhole camera. In reviewing his first book, "Ghosts In The Landscape", I am moved by the personal depth of his aesthetic investment in creating a contemporary view of Viet Nam that borders on the mystical. I believe that if this view had been available in the 1960's, we, as a country, may have been unwilling to cause so much death and destruction. This is one of the most important post-Viet Nam era accounts I have encountered. I strongly recommend this book of deeply felt photographs.