Customer Reviews

HOTEL ROOM WITH A VIEW PB (Photographers at Work)

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As a photographer who basically idolizes the work of Bruce Weber, I know I have a strong bias for anything he releases. Yet, this book is a great insight into the mind of Weber by having interviews at the begining of the book. These interviews with Weber came at the early part of his fame so it also shows a very realistic and down toearth Weber that is not so affected by fame like some other photographers. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more than your basics about what Weber is about, or at least at that time was about.

All you have to do to see a photograph by Bruce Weber is look in any glossy magazine or on any big city billboard or in the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue. These are his works for advertising, but there is much more to Weber. "Hotel Room With a View" is one of the paperbound photography collections in the Smithsonian series and is, as usual with this series, superb. The fascinating, informative interview with Weber (uncredited interviewer!!) lets us know where, why, when he gets his inspiration and how he makes it happen. Alot of the pictures in this book are of celebrities like Brad Pitt, Chet Baker, Axl Rose, Harry Connick, but there are also a good number of examples of Weber's unknown models, animals and even a few color landscapes. There is also a brief bio and technical info for other photographers.

This book starts with an interview with Weber that provides some insight into his philosophy and point of view as a photographer. That though is about the best part of the book, I wish it had been longer actually. It seems like they just filled out the remaining pages with outtakes from shoots. Only one or two of the prints seem to really capture the photographer the initial interview sets up. If you are a Bruce Weber fan, this book is only worth buying for a few bucks used, to get a sense of his process. Otherwise if you want to enjoy his work you're betting off spending your money on one of the several books he has published himself. Branded Youth: and Other Stories is a great one.