Breaking Bounds: The Dance Photography of Lois Greenfield [Paperback]

William A. Ewing (Author), Lois Greenfield (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1992

In this collection of 87 duotone images that virtually leap off the page, Lois Greenfield's revolutionary photographs capture the explosive energy and beauty of dancers' bodies in motion. Made between 1982 and 1991, they are the result of a collaboration between Greenfield and a group of extraordinary dancers asked to "leave their choreography at the door." They take risks, pushing to the absolute limits the boundaries of both dance and photography with an energy so forceful it seems barely contained by the black lines of the camera frame. Edited, sequenced, and with an introductory essay by William Ewing, including an interview with Lois Greenfield, Breaking Bounds is dance photography on the edge. Sensual and mesmerizing, these images will entrance dancer and non-dancer alike -- as well as anyone who loves fine photography -- with their powerful, elegant depiction of the human body in midair.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Photography collides with dance in a stunning collection of 87 gravity-defying duotone images by Greenfield, a dance photographer for The Village Voice . Not content to be "handmaiden to the dance," Greenfield choreographs for the camera and employs the collaborative and improvisational powers of gifted contemporary dancers, primarily David Parsons, Daniel Ezralow, and Ashley Roland. Emphasizing soaring jumps and athletic flight, these images illustrate the paradox of still photography capturing motion. Ewing, editor of the more eclectic Dance and Photography ( LJ 3/1/88), provides an introduction and a technically illuminating interview with Greenfield, who explains her artistic development and use of the Hasselbad camera. Recommended for both photography and dance collections.
- Sheila Riley, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

William A. Ewing is a wellknown writer on the art of photography and an independent curator whose exhibitions have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art and the International Center of Photography in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.

Lois Greenfield is recognized internationally as one of the foremost photographers of dance. She is a regular contributor to the Village Voice, and her photographs have also appeared in Dance Ink, Esquire, Time, Wile, Vogue, Mirabella, and Zoom, among othe

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811802329
• ISBN-13: 978-0811802321
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explosive energy captured on film!, November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Breaking Bounds: The Dance Photography of Lois Greenfield (Paperback)

This book is perfect for display on the coffee table. Friends who look through it are as fascinated by Greenfield's work as I am. The frozen moments and the print quality make this a beautiful addition to any photo book collection. A MUST HAVE FOR LOVERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND DANCE!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got to have it!, January 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Leavenworth, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking Bounds: The Dance Photography of Lois Greenfield (Paperback)

I have always had the fantasy of photographing dancers. A few years ago, I came across Greenfield's dance calendar. I hated to see the year end. This book is an excellent collection of her works with an interview about how she ended up with her special style of shooting and the themes behind her work. The quality of images is superb. For those of you who are familiar with Pilobilus, the dance group, you will find the connection by reading this book (teaser). The book is full of energy and motion, because that is the nature of Greenfield's work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful pictures, October 9, 2002

By 

Eric Vlach (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Breaking Bounds: The Dance Photography of Lois Greenfield (Paperback)

I owned "Airborn" before purchasing this one, and I loved it so much that I sought out Breaking Bounds. I did not hesitate to buy it when I saw it on amazon[.com]. I am a dancer, and the photography of Lois Greenfield embodies the intention and choreography of the dancer so well, that it is unique. I prefer the material in "Airborn," so if your thinking of buying this book and dont have the other, take a look at the other one. I think there are much more interesting and provoking images in "Airborn". A downside to Breaking Bounds is that there are no descriptions or captions, other than the artist's name, attatched to the picture. I would like a brief explanation of the picture, as Greenfield does in "Airborn."