Customer Reviews

Jay Maisel's New York

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Jay Maisel's New York is the single richest and most alluring photo book about my city that I have seen. It is especially satisfying because my New York is captured and served up by a true photographic genius.

Going through the pages, I find myself gasping and smiling all at once.

Jay has that rare ability to hit your eyes with a one-two punch. First, he serves up a moment or fleeting gesture and frames it with a simple stunning composition made with colors.

He is able, page after page, to make a reader's stomach flutter in recognition of moments of light that most of us only "thought" we saw.

He's a master in the profession.

Gary Gladstone

New York history and culture has been covered so often before, who can offer a different perspective on the city? Photographer Maisel does, in Jay Maisel's New Yorkm a title which captures both unique urban sights and ordinary days in New York activity, from immigrants on a rooftop to Gay Pride Day celebrations. Full-page color photos are vivid and striking whether they be of oddly-brilliant building paint jobs or individuals.

I love Jay's style, and have been a fan for years, which is strange because he was primarily an advertising photographer. Most advertising photogs are strictly in it for the money, and their work shows it. Jay though, always seemed to put his heart into even his $100,000 Amex campaigns. I remember reading that he would tell clients if an assignment wasn't going well, something along the lines of, "Let's make it something that I would do for free anyway, even though you're paying me, that way I'm happy, and you're happy." Strange then, that I find that stuff much better than the stuff in this book. There are still gorgeous pictures, but if you want to see some amazing stuff, try to find an old copy of Communication Arts from the eighties, the Photography Annuals, to be precise. Maybe 1985, 1986, etc. AMAZING stuff. You will understand why other photographers freaking WORSHIP the man. I was slightly disappointed when I first received this book. It doesn't grab me, and some of the transparencies seem to be in bad shape. Oh well, hopefully his website will be up again soon.

Jay's work is legendary and this book shows us why. The graphic, the color, the gesture....all there. But what is so special about the book is his ability to communicate his love for New York, terrible warts and all. It should be in any serious photographer's library.

Jay Maisel is probably the greatest photographer of New York City. He is not only an accomplished photographer, he is a real New Yorker who "feels" and "lives" the City. I enjoy his capturing ordinary and spontaneous moments of New Yorkers and his playing with contrast of colors. My only regret is that there is unfortunately no technical information about each photograph (equipment used...) A great book by a great photographer.