Bunny Yeager's Darkroom: Pin-up Photography's Golden Era [Hardcover]

Petra Mason (Author), Dita Von Teese (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: September 11, 2012

A treasure trove of pin-up girl images from photographer Bunny Yeager, celebrated for her playfully erotic photos of Bettie Page that continue to influence photography and fashion today. The only woman pin-up photographer of her day, Bunny Yeager was also a model in her own right. After winning several beauty pageants in Miami, Yeager went to photography school, and in 1955, she hit the jackpot with her shot of Bettie Page scantily clad in a Santa hat, which sold instantly to the fledgling Playboy magazine. The beginning of a long collaboration, her photographs of Bettie have now been featured on more magazine covers than those of Marilyn Monroe. This glamorous volume gathers more than a hundred lens-fogging photographs embodying the naughty girl-next-door eroticism of pin-up culture. Culled from Yeager’s extensive archive, the collection includes her most iconic shots of the legendary Bettie as well as many previously unpublished images. Yeager’s pioneering self-portraits and excerpts from her charming 1960s how-to manuals are featured alongside dozens of wholesome beauties shot in the studio and on location. A fun and sexy book, it is sure to tap into the current burlesque trend and the popularity of glamour photography and vintage American culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bunny Yeager's Darkroom from Rizzoli documents the photographer's dynamic career guided by the artist herself....In all Yeager's photos, you get a pure sense the fun and excitement. The scenes she created are always glamorous but also quite endearing— sexy, fun and intriguing but with a sense of ease that makes them universally irresistible." ~Coolhunting.com

"...drops you right behind the camera and features over 100 photos for you to drool over." ~Coolmaterial.com

"Legendary for her brilliance in capturing the essential sexuality of women, Yeager’s models, including the equally famed Bettie Page, fill the pages..." ~Sun Post

“...includes many images from the longtime Miami resident's personal archive, including iconic shots of the legendary Bettie Page and many previously unpublished images. And she hasn't stopped creating" ~southflorida.com

"Bunny Yeager's Darkroom is about master photographer and pioneer Bunny Yeager,  but it also happens to be the best book ever published about Bettie Page and the best collection of original photographs ever seen of the model. If you are one of the millions interested in Bettie Page, buy this book." ~Vintage Sleaze

"...a new collection of more than 250 photographs curated by author and cultural historian Petra Mason that includes iconic shots of Bettie Page, whom Yeager is credited with discovering, and many previously unpublished images including Yeager self-portraits." ~Huffington Post

"This book of classic pin-up photos is the ideal gift" ~Baltimore City Paper

"....glimpse into the icons and outtakes of pin-up photography’s golden era, including chapters on Yaeger’s early self-portraits, classic American cheesecake and, of course, star subject Bettie Page." ~National Post

"...utterly evocative of its time, and rather innocent.." ~Palm Beach Post

About the Author

Petra Mason is a cultural historian and creative director whose East Coast-centric book credits include: Last Train to Paradise: Centennial edition, South Beach Stories, The Carlyle, In the Spirit of Miami Beach and New York. Photographic installations include: The Glass House Icon Project.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; First Edition edition (September 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847838552
• ISBN-13: 978-0847838554
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.1 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking Woman Photographer November 27, 2012

By R. Rosener VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Bunny Yeager was probably the ONLY Female photographer in a very male field back in the 50's. She did female Pinup and Glamor shots of herself, and some of the best models working in the 50's, most notably Bettie Page. I've seen most of the photographs in this volume in various books or vintage magazines. However I've never seen them reproduced so beautifully. So the technical mastery of Bunny's work can be appreciated, as well as the gorgeous real bodies of her models. What makes this volume worth owning is the superb curatorship of author Petra Mason. Way before the crop of female art photographers like Cindy Sherman, we see Bunny Yeager making very contemporary looking self portraits as she plays various roles. We also see her representing female beauty from a woman's perspective which was extremely rare in the 50's and early 60's. Of note are the Contact Sheets reproduced full page so we see the out takes. I went to grad school at Visual Studies Workshop, founded by Nathan Lyons. Nathan is a tremendous photographer and curator himself, who gave the likes of Jerry Uelsmann and Robert Fichter their first shows back in the 60's. Someone once asked Nathan who his favorite photographer was. His response was immediate; "Bunny Yeager". We all laughed thinking he was joking. But seeing this volume makes me think maybe he knew something about Bunny's artistic abilities that no one else saw past her lovely figures. Either way you will enjoy the gorgeous photographs in this book. The perfect gift for anyone who appreciates great vintage photography, and lovely intelligent women.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning and joyous book! September 27, 2012

By mortyf

Format:Hardcover

I just received my copy and it is breathtaking. This is a stunning and deeply joyous look at pin up photography from the vantage point of a female photographer. The images are epic. The reproductions are gorgeous.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate book on Pin Ups. March 4, 2013

By AdeA

Format:Hardcover

This has to be the definitive book on the history of pin up photography and perhaps its most famous practitioner. Wonderfully written, beautifully researched and lavishly produced this book is a jewel and worth getting for the photos alone of which there are over 150. Petra Mason unfolds in a very witty and mischievous tone how pin ups became an American sub culture and done with whimsey and humor. Th introduction by Dita von Teese is delightful. A great read and highly recommended. The news is Ms. Mason will follow up this book with what promises to be the definitive book on the pin up icon, Bettie Page. Bout to be every bit as exciting as Bunny Yeager's Darkroom. And who could ask for more as a follow up. The dream follow up book. Should be coming out in the Fall, but in the meantime will keep Bunny Yeager's Darkroom on my bedside table.

Ausbert de Arce.