Prairiescapes: PHOTOGRAPHS (Visions of Illinois) [Hardcover]

Larry Kanfer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kanfer's atmospheric photographs evoke the quiet drama of Midwest prairies, the immensity of skies and cornfields, the poetry of changing seasons, moods, twilights, textures. At his most cloying, his work is picture-postcard pretty, but his terrific shots are poignantly, unexpectedly beautifula row of fence posts, dried flowers hanging on a peeling blue cupboard door, a weather-beaten house all become transcendent visions. In Tornado Watch, the sky is an energy-field of pure potentiality. Almost no people inhabit these landscapes, yet the interplay of the elements somehow suggests the human resilience that helps people survive the loneliness inbred in the prairies' vast distances. Kanfer works out of Champaign, Ill., and has exhibited widely. This album includes his eerie black-and-white photographs that resemble pencil sketches or pointillist paintings, a mirage-like commentary on his beloved Illinois landscape.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Kanfer's atmospheric photographs evoke the quiet drama of Midwest prairies... His terrific shots are poignantly, unexpectedly beautiful." -- Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252014820
• ISBN-13: 978-0252014826
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 11.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Austere Zen-like beauty, July 26, 2002

By 

E. Folta "eafinct" (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prairiescapes: PHOTOGRAPHS (Visions of Illinois) (Hardcover)

This is the book that I show to people when I try vainly to explain in words why a prairie view or a prairie skyscape is more inspiring to me than a mountain range. Although a few of the photos are a little too posed and sentimental, the finest of them convey the power and austere beauty of this often-dismissed part of the country. Akin in their severe beauty to Zen or to Shaker design, the finest of these photographs will catch at your heart and your mind.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Striking photography of the Midwest., June 21, 1998

By 

Andrew Peterson ([e-mail]) (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prairiescapes: PHOTOGRAPHS (Visions of Illinois) (Hardcover)

Kanfer certainly has an eye for the little details that give the scenery of the Midwest its own particular charm. Beautiful landscapes captured by a master photographer. A "must" for those living in the region, as well as those like myself who've moved on to other places and enjoy reacquainting ourselves with surroundings once familiar.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book makes Illinois look great., November 22, 2002

By 

Goofball "rmbimel" (Grayslake, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prairiescapes: PHOTOGRAPHS (Visions of Illinois) (Hardcover)

I love this book. The pictures are awesome, many of which were taken in the early 80's. Farms dominate the pictures. If you like pictures of barns, prairies, or trees you'll want to buy this book. It's just too bad these pictures aren't large and ion frames.