Customer Reviews

Eugene Atget: Unknown Paris

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This book does a very good job of piecing together Atget's photography techniques and explorations. it goes deeply into the subject of Atget's "documentary" style of photography in Paris. He took many pictures of the same spaces but from different angles to achieve different effects. Full prints of his photographs constitute more than half of the book, and balance out the more lengthy explanations by David Harris. This book is organized into three main sections which make for easy navigation through its pages. The first three chapters analyze Atget's photographic style, his life as a commercial photographer, and his life at work. The bulk of the book, and the most interesting part, showcases the seven Parisian sites where he took many of his photographs. Lastly is a short conclusion and thumbnails of his photos displayed in the back of the book. Although the photographs may not be that interesting to the average person, photographers will enjoy Atget's choice of historic subjects and his dedication to documenting the city of Paris. Atget took over five thousand exposures of the city. His pictures explore the exciting subtleties of his home.

What has already been said is wonderful, I just want to add that these are black and white photos-a lot of late 1800's Paris;no advertising on buildings, a mood of being there is created, a sense of a more sedate time is created in these photos, a slower pace is the feeling here. No modern hectic, rush, stress,get-ahead Paris that can be currently photographed. These old photos are so very well done, they are still pleasurable to view.