No comments about Ansel Adams 2009 Engagement Calendar.

2 comments about Andres Serrano America: And Other Work.

1. There is something irresistibly uplifting about Serrano's "America", which tempted me to buy this book after a single quick perusal. It's a bit like Pierre et Gilles meet Avedon: a technicolor version of "In the American West". People from all walks of life, bums and celebs, priests and porn actresses, are portrayed in close up and in dazzling color; pure eyecandy, and also a brilliant sourcebook for artists. More is not needed to make this book enjoyable and worthwhile, but the parallel with Avedon's classic does show up Serrano's main limitation: superficiality. There is an attempt at deeper implications by the juxtapositions of portraits: the plastic surgeon and the butcher; the high school principal and the high school dropout; Larry Flynt and Bill O'Reilly; the WW2 veteran and the neo_Nazi. But as these examples make clear, the message never rises above the trivial (except perhaps once, inadvertently, where America's Little Yankee Miss 2003 is shown opposite Anna Nicole Smith...).
   The second half of the book is dedicated to other series. Unfortunately these hover precariously between banality, vulgarity and sheer tastelessness, regularly lapsing into one or the other. As his infamous "Piss Christ" (also featured) proved, Serrano is one of those artists who cannot quite distinguish shock value from artistic impact. And there sure are some easy shockers here: a toddler dangling from a noose; a menstruating woman spreadeagled in a chair; a man being urinated in the mouth; and most disturbing of all, several images of mutilated or burnt corpses in a morgue. Of course such images have a strong impact; but that has little to do with their artistic qualities, and everything with their subject matter. In that regard the "Bodily Fluids" and "Immersions" series, being more abstract, are in my opinion actually more succesful, even though the idea behind the former again strikes me as too obvious, and the latter as juvenile. But whatever your respons, this book does represent a body of work that has an accepted place in modern photography and deserves to be seen. Serrano could not have wished for a more lavishly produced volume.



2. Don't recognize the name of artist Andres Serrano? You should he is one of this country's most surveyed modern artists, responsible for such controversies as "Piss Christ", and for a modern movement of controversial art. Serrano enjoys creating extraordinary situations from ordinary daily living, and Andres Serrano, America: And Other Work excels in presenting his greatest achievement: three years of work producing over a hundred 50x60 inch photos representing the melting pot of America as seen through Serrano's art. Anticipate often-startling images of people in striking, full-page displays.

2 comments about Ansel Adams: Letters, 1916 - 1984.

1. I was amazed at Ansel Adams outlook on life and his art. From reading you can tell he was greatly respected as well as a true artist in more ways than one. If you want to learn more about the man and his character I would highly recommend this book. Amazing really...



2. Pouring over letters to and from Ansel Adams brings you closer to the photographer. From a telegram to his father in 1920 asking for $20.00 to buy a burro (and letting him know that he'd sell it at the end of the season for $10.00) to touching letters to his wife over the years. His descriptions of nature are as wonderful as his photographs. He writes to US presidents, newspaper editors,friends, family and more. You see the scope, imagination,and honesty of a man and a fantastic photographer.

   You laugh,cry and share the man; Ansel Adams. Interesting personal photographs in the book also.

1 comments about Harry Callahan: Nature.

1. Harry Callahan was the most influential and important figure in photography throughout the last half of the 20th century. This edition of his work shows chronologically how Callahan's approach to the medium evolved and changed, while his vision remained ever faithful to modernity. The book begins in Detroit, where Callahan worked for Chrysler while pursuing photography as a serious hobby. It was also during this time that he married Eleanor Knapp, who would later become the subject for many of his strongest images. The accompanying essay by Sarah Greenough is succinctly written, blending biographical information to the photographs Callahan took throughout his long, photographic journey (Callahan died in 1999). Callahan's outlook on photography changed dramatically after having met Ansel Adams, at a photography workshop in Detroit. Taking some of Adams' philosophy and refining it, Callahan created his own style of photographing/printing, made apparent by such images as `Weeds in Snow' and `Detroit, 1942'. In these images and throughout the rest of his life, Callahan easily turned the simplest subject matter into monumental works of photographic art. The book provides powerful examples of this, in both black & white and color. After leaving his job to pursue photography full time, Callahan moved to Chicago and taught at the Institute of Design. Continuing the experimentation he began in Detroit, Callahan worked and refined his style during his Chicago years, utilizing double exposure, collage, close-ups, and the use of positive and negative space. The book then turns to Callahan's New England period. It was during this time that Callahan taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence. The book captures this period vividly, with images of varying contrast and mood. Here we see Callahan's ability at adapting to his environment by producing increasingly poetic images of nature, as well as urban and suburban street scenes. In his later work from 1972-1992, the photographs in "Harry Callahan" document the photographer's travels in other countries, with an increased attention on color. It remains clear by the images shown in his later years, that Callahan continued to explore photography by constantly challenging himself and the medium. Where most photographers are known for one particular style or body of work (Cartier-Bresson's `decisive moment' or Robert Frank's publication of The Americans), Callahan is known for many different styles and bodies of work. The photographs in "Harry Callahan" prove this with each turn of the page. Callahan was a photographic artist in the truest sense, if we choose to believe an artists' goal is not only to create but to constantly evolve. Callahan was, continues to be, and always will be an influence to those photographers who seek not only perfection in the creation of their photographic art, but also change.

No comments about Down the Rabbit Hole.

5 comments about Boring Postcards USA.

1. First a word of clarification. These are not postcards to be mailed. I didn't read the description clearly. This was only my fault, but someone else out there might make the same mistake.
   
   Second, the publisher's description and viewers' comments are correct: These are boring, charmless, insipid images, that might tell us a lot about who we think we are -- perhaps of how proud small-town America was of its new airports, bus terminals and banks after the war. But I thought that not including any reflections by a student of our culture (Lord knows there are enough candidates), was just plain cheap, and makes this little book, well, boring.



2. I have owned this book for several years. Once in a while, I break it out if I yearn for something nostalgic or a break from the present-day pace. The sometimes placid and unassuming images cause the reader to consider a simpler time. It never fails to entertain. Yes, it has humorous images, some staged--yet others seem to be a snapshot of everyday life. The postcards depicting tacky motel room interiors are fun. Any reader could imagine a nice restful escape in these quarters. If anything, this book encapsulates a time gone by but not forgotten. Hardly boring as the title implies, these postcards are a comfort and a great page-turner for those that want to de-stress.



3. I bought this gift as a "funny" Christmas present. Most of the pictures don't even look like they were postcards (just pictures) ... nor can you tell when / where they are from... and most of them are just pictures of interstates... the commentary under each of the picture is sort of random too... just not what I thought it would be...



4. I read reviews before I purchased this book, and followed the advice of the positive ones. I actually sent this book back the day after I received it. Thank goodness for free return shipping. BORING BORING BORING
   Nothing fun about this book at all.



5. This is an awesome book, made up entirely of old postcards with pictures of highways, restaurants, airports, and other prosaic places.
   
   The postcards aren't like the ones you see today, photographs of beautiful places. They look like someone snapped a picture of the highway or restaurant, without even bothering to pick a scenic spot. Only, many of them have captions describing the pictures as 'beautiful' or 'scenic.' That only makes it funnier.
   
   On the one hand, I applaud the use of average, even somewhat ugly images in this book to convey a feeling of time and place. At the same time, I can't believe anyone thought these pictures would make good postcards -- even decades ago.
   
   The pictures are quirky and make me laugh. Best of all, they feel like a window into another time. I can look at these photographs and feel like I'm there... in that prosaic, rather ugly place, probably filled with real people with all their quirks and oddities. It's like a time machine!
   
   All in all, I'm very glad I acquired this book.

5 comments about 101 Uses for a Lab.

1. I saw this small book at someone elses house. Being a new Lab owner, seeing the personality of the breed in this small book, I had to buy. Expensive..YES..... but I guess put the value on a smile! It sits on my coffee table for visitiors to enjoy.



2. I returned this book as soon as I received it. I thought it was overpriced for its small size. I'd also expected the pictures to be irresistable; they turned out to be very mundane and cliche. I've seen better amateur pictures taken by lab owners themselves. Bottom line--I would have given this book 0 stars if it were an option.



3. I have several other Lab books for about the same price as this one. This is a little book for the price but the pictures are very cute. I would have rather bought it used, it would be a much better bargin. Enjoy!



4. Having read the previous reviews, I'd expected to find little text, but had thought the photographs would prove sufficient ... unfortunately the photos are a little disappointing ... more like snap shots taken to fill up pages ...



5. We have had labrador retrievers in our family for over 40 years. Splash, our current yellow lab, and our many other labs, is well described in this wonderful book. Splash thinks his (and I am sure other labrador owners will agree) sole role in life is to be our best friend and he gives us so much love every single day. It is clear, after reading this book, that labs are the best breed of dog available. The author truly captures the fine spirit, dedication and devotion of the labrador retriever -- I found the book to be true for all of our wonderful dogs. For those who are fortunate enough to own a lab, this book is a MUST!

1 comments about MAKE: Technology on Your Time Volume 11 (Make: Technology on Your Time).

1. Excellent, as have been all of the Make issues I have read. A terrific way to get your creative juices flowing. Make can satisfy your need to build and tinker for a while, in the reading of it, but ultimately sends you straight to the workshop, full of ideas.

5 comments about Saving Graces: Images of Women European Cemeteries.

1. Wonderful photographs and subjects.
   
   For the reasonable cost, this book is a must.



2. The joys of life are not all free from sorrow;
   The stern decree goes forth with truth today;
   Unyeilding fate speaks-we must part tomorrow;
   What sweet remembrances the heart doth borrow;
   But yet they cannot departure stay;
   No words can tell what thou to us hast given;
   Thou, unassuming, dost thyself not know.
   Oh, may to thee in other lands be given,
   Bright fame and joy-and every gift of heaven,
   Her choicest blessings in thy work shall show.
   The warmth of friendship in our glances beaming,
   Express our gratitude, and yet
   'Tis not enough, and tears are slowly streaming;
   Thy noble heart has surely guessed the meaning,
   Then say thou ne'er wilt us forget.



3. I cannot take my hands off this book. It contains ominous photographs of bewildered woman, and although it has sadness scrawled over, there is a tug in viewer's heart, a sort of consolation that underneath this miserable existence, there is someone who weeps for you. And the sculptures surely represent that.



4. This is not scholarly, it is as the title says "Images of Women in European Cemeteries" and you won't get very much information about who did the carving, what they were thinking draping a nude woman over their grave, or even who's grave she is indeed draped on. What you will get are many many lovely black and white photos, that are really finely taken. I should point out that I love cemeteryies and photography and this is really a little book I could get into.... if you do like photography ... check out Wee Gee as well.



5. This is a beautiful book of photographs of cemetary sculptures. Though I have artistic opinions on whether photographing another person's art makes one an artist, this is certainly a lovely collection. However, there is very little written about the sculptures or cemeteries they came from. It is literally a picture book. If you are looking for scholarship on sculptures in cemeteries, this is a poor source. There isn't even enough information about each of the sculptures to research them, basically just a location identifying each. But it is a very nice book of photos nonetheless.

No comments about Greyhounds.