Customer Reviews

Lee Friedlander: Self Portrait

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
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It is a pleasure to see this book back in print, originally published in 1970. With photographic book reprints, I am often disappointed with the poor quality of reproduction. However the halftones, done by Richard Benson, are superb. As a bonus, or a drawback as some might argue, is an essay by John Szarkowski. This essay at the end of the book, attempts to match Friedlander's photographic wit. He makes such statements as "If he was not Lee friedlander, he would not have been able to make these portraits." ?? Unfortunately, this essay does not attempt to elucidate on the photographs themselves but rather on the idea of artistic self-portraits and about the lengths Friedlander has gone to -- to avoid talking about his photographs. Szarkowski is at times amusing but is successful at keeping hidden the enigmas of Lee Friedlander.

The 1970 edition is one of the most difficult Friedlander book to find. Several years ago, I saw an out-of-print copy in fai! ! r condition, it cost $100 . At about 25 bucks, it is a classic and a bargain.

I love this book, a collection of unusual self-portrait work by Lee Friedlander. Often he's only shown as a shadow, or reflection. In many cases, his use of his image is a clever and even humorous comment on the other elements within the photograph. Sometimes, you even must hunt for him.. "where's Lee now?". The book feels like a chronicle of his travels. If you're interested in creative self-portrait photography, or a fan of Freiedlander, then I think this book really is a must-have.

The book is some 54 pages long, with a foreward by the artist and an afterward by John Szarkowski. The majority of the book's pages are, of course, photographs, with the opposing pages empty except for the page number, place where the image was taken, and finally the year shot. The print quality of the images is truly wonderful, and the paper itself is nice, thick and crisp. It is a black cloth hardbound book, with a quality matte slipcover.

Beautiful. Recommended.

This book is an insightful look at Lee Freidlander's images of Lee Freidlander, I cannot review this book without bias, as I have always been a big fan of Mr Freidlanders work. GREAT BOOK!

Lee Friedlander is truly a wonderful photographer with fun, witty self portraits as well as more serious and thoughtful self portraits. It encompasses what would seem to be his entire being and should be on every collector's shelf.