Customer Reviews

Fotografiks - David Carson

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

David Carson first made a name for himself debunking high-brow design aesthetics with a decidedly impulsive and intuitive approach to the printed page. Here he similarly debunks high-brow photography, with this collection of obscured, abstracted and often out-of-focus photographs. These lo-fi photographs are then elevated to another level by Philip Meggs's typically lofty writing... be sure to check out Carson's grungy photograph of an empty chair, which Meggs decides is a study about "the absence of people." (That put a smile on my face, at least.) Aside from the almost farcical nature of the writing that accompanies these images, they are still effective on a purely emotional, visceral level, that same base that Carson has operated so well at as a designer for so many years. Who knows, you might even want to use it as a coffee table book... although you might confuse your company.

Thank you, DC, for an inspiring book. You are forcing me to carry my camera wherever I go...(for a shot at Fotografiks 2!) I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who believes in the power of photography as art: It's not family portraits and birthday parties; it's the world thru a different lens... The photos display shape, color and symmetry that are often overlooked in everyday life. With Carson's unique layouts and great captions and text from Philip Meggs, the book comes alive. See for yourself. I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy! Thanks again, David.

This is one of the best photo books I have seen. It also has nice writing that emphasizes the various styles of Carson. It was also nice to spot some of the images used on The Fragile within.

David Carson is undoubtedly one of the best graphic designers and a revolutionary typographist ... but unless you understand the angles and complexity of photography, I don't think you'd really want to get this book. Sure, Carson does have a wonderful eye for color, balance, and emotional insight, BUT if you're looking for a photography book with more text and a better composition, you might want to extend your search.

I dare to disagree. Maybe in today's boring photography scene a planless collection of either totally uninteresting or blurry photographs, that would be rejected in any amateur contest, are considered as rule breaking or innovative... but for luck I have seen photographs that were made before these. Every second collection of contemporary photographs that I look at, and that is marketed as art, shows about this same stuff. I'll just go out and take them myself if I want to own a picture of the three knobs on a washing machine, combined with a pseudo-deep comment. Maybe I can find the sense of life in them I will frame them and hang them on my wall.
Uhmm..I won't.

I was still a multimedia design student, when I first saw this book in the book store. Unfortunately when I had the money to buy it was not available anymore. Finally after 5 years, I have it. The work shown in this book helped me to define the style that I use in my professional and artistic activities. Great guide for professionals, artists, and students.

David Carson, editor of RAYGUN magazine has yet another book for readers. This book shows not only visual asthetics, but also a fair amount of writing, given by Carson himself of what exactly his appraoches are to certain spreads. He also explains his experiences in designing, and has a very unique way of looking at things. He has done work for David Bowie in the past, and many images used for Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile" are found in this book as well. David Carson is an intellegent person, and it can clearly be seen in the 'not what you'd expect from a designer' look of this book, with photos he took only with a standard 35mm camera and developed at a nearby one hour photo. Also keep an eye out for a soon to be released Nine Inch Nails DVD, which was designed and packaged by David Carson, along with some other contributions.

This is a book for people who don't want to read or view photography. With little or no information in the pictures or in the words it's difficult to figure out what the content is. This seems like a transitional book, better left unprinted. This was a disappointment to me after "The End of Print". Hopefully Mr Carson will have more to say the next time out.

Carson is the most exciting and inovative designer to come along to come along since the Bauhaus. He broke all the "rules," and mined a fresh vision. All his monographs demonstrate his vision.

My wife says, "This books smells funny."