Customer Reviews

Natural Beauty: Farber Nudes

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

 

 

As a professional photojournalist and glamour photographer, I have learned over time that there is a difference between pictures and photographs--Robert creates photographs that envoke emotions--he doesn't create pictures.

Robert also shows form in his images, something hard to find even in photographs. Robert knows how to capture the viewer with his images, and he does this with not just his framing, but taking into account all the technical aspects involved in photography. He thinks like the film thinks, he sees like the film sees, he feels the light--a true master.

I was also impressed in the types of film and camera formats he used in this book, from AFGAchrome film to Polapan and even negative color film. Robert used 35mm, my favorite Contax for medium format and even Minox. His use of light, from strobe, tungsten to existing light reinforces the viewer with his mastery of light. I own this and other Farber books--and this is a must have of any Farber collection. ...

Just some photographs of women that happen to be voluptuous, radiant, sensual, pleasing, attractive, fleshy, tempting, inviting, lovely, beautiful, lush, provocative, alluring, sumptuous, erotic and classic. The format is pleasingly oversize and there is even some mention of technical information in the back of the book -- although not enough to be truly helpful. Farber has instincts on light and shadow that surpass most photographers and insticts cannot be translated into technical jargon. Forget the technical stuff and just enjoy the heady pleasure this book gives; well worth the money. I'll bet you look at it many times before relegating it to the bookshelf.

If you are a fine art photographer you already know the artist, he is without a doubt in the top ten today. If you are into fine art this book is a must for your personal library. If you are like myself a photographer who is inspired by incrediable work, both artistically and techincally this is a must for you as well. The images capture the hidden grace and beauty of the female form while avoiding being typed as graphic or other negatives. His style is well defined and the lighting is simple yet effect and the use of cropping guides the viewer along the lines like a short classical musical melody. Come and be inspired.

Robert Farber is by far one of the most well known photographers of nudes and fashion. One can not mistake his work, his soft style with a mix of hard grain.
This book is a large collection of his work in nude photography throughout his years in photography. Each plate in this book has its own feel and meaning, drawing the viewer into his work even more. It is no wonder that Farbers works are displayed in permanent collections around the world.
The book is beautifully published on thick warm toned paper, which is perfect for displaying his work, do to the fact that these reproductions are about as close as you can get to the real thing.
The book does not display just nudes either. Scattered throughout the book are chrome shots of landscapes and portraits of flowers as well, hence the name "Natural Beauty". Every page in this book is a wonder. Once you get to the back, a small index of each photo is displayed with text by Farber on how he went about making each and every photo in the book. This is great because you really get to see how he goes about his creative process.
This is a great coffee table Monograph of beautiful photographs that cannot be passed up. This is a very important monograph that all photographers and collectors alike should have. Not many photographers are able to mimic Farbers style, other than the legend David Hamilton and the newcomer Richard Murrian, which makes the works in the book stand out like no other.

This is a mix, some sharp-edged still-lifes (e.g., plate 35) and skyscapes (68, 75), among other topics. This is really about Farber's nudes, though. A few (e.g. 37, 78) are shot outdoors. Many of the models appear indoors, where jagged plaster (74) or stony, spare surroundings (85) set off the smooth curves of the model. In others, domestic surroundings (17, 51) set a gentler tone. Most of my favorites are among the studio shots, though. In them, Farber captures many moods, from dreamy distance (22, 28), to affection (69) or a lovingly humorous sense (61) that works at many levels. One grouping conveys a much more complex emotion. In includes Farber's Newseek cover (4) on breast cancer, but others (5, 25, 65) give a similarly defensive feeling, somehow afraid of betrayal by one's own body.

Many of the images simply, almost abstractly express the elegance of the human shape. Some (83 and especially 49) examine the whole woman. A large number are faceless, sometimes captured from behind (6, 66) but more often cropped (13). Even the arms and legs of the model (39, 63) or group (40, 45) may be cropped, leaving only the elegance of the torso. I find something unsettling in these pictures - the anonymous intimacy, but also something I have no good word for. What's the opposite of "disembodied," when only the body is left?

One thing about this collection works badly for me: Farber's fondness for graininess or blur. I like the informal sense of having escaped from a razor-edged world, but the degree and frequency of grain and blur suit an esthetic that I lack. So, on the whole, I come away from this collection with a mixed sense. I enjoy much of it, and big parts of many individual works. Much of it does little for me, though.

//wiredweird

I purchased this book over two years ago and, after my first reading, had not looked at it until today. I am a professional photographer and much of my personal work is fine art nude. I find this book both inspirational and incredible. The consistency of Farber's images, both compositionally and in terms of process is wonderful. His etherial, grainy, warm presentation is moving. This is the sort of book a photographer should review once a year and then put back on the shelf as he or she returns to their own work.

This book is a wonderfully presented collection of interesting fine art photos. The creative moody use of grain is quite inspirational. It occupies a proud place on my shelf.

This book is very boring. The images produced are highly over rated. A complete oversaturation of sepia toning.
This book is more of an artsy hype than fine art photographs.
I was completely disapointed when I opened the covers.
Don't waste your money on this one.