American Pictures: A Reflection on Mid-Twentieth Century America (Cultural Studies Photography) [Hardcover]

Jeff Dunas (Author), Anthony Vidler (Preface), Graham Howe (Introduction)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Konemann; illustrated edition edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3829060807
• ISBN-13: 978-3829060806
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,875,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shot before it vanishes., May 15, 2004

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Pictures: A Reflection on Mid-Twentieth Century America (Cultural Studies Photography) (Hardcover)

A beautiful book of nostalgic Americana from Jeff Dunas. With the 112 photos taken over several trips around America Dunas has captured a past he remembered and wanted to record permanently before it vanished.

What I liked about the book was the careful sequence of the photos, for instance from photo fifty-eight you'll see a fifties car, 59, a smiling couple sitting on their porch, 60, a man outside a building, 61, part of an auto junkyard, 62, a terrific shot of the Hotel Carlos in Yuma, Arizona. This mixture of people, buildings, signs, autos and almost abstract parts of buildings makes for a really excellent flow of images as you turn over the pages.

For me the best photos are of buildings, they are presented in a very formal way, either front on or a perspective of two sides with the background providing a natural frame. No need for fancy gimmicks because the image content is strong enough to create interest and meaning. In fact nearly all the photos show Dunas has a natural framing instinct for great compositions, which make them seem so right.

I think it is worth commenting on the books production. It is of coffee-table proportions, with excellent design and typography and printed on quality paper which all helps to make the Dunas view of America all the more vibrant and fascinating.

FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.