Roadsides: Images of the American Landscape [Hardcover]

Kelly Povo (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2004

Through images of diners and cafes, bowling alleys and bars, drive-ins and motels, photographer Kelly Povo has spent the past twenty years capturing the essence of these places on the road. Her photographs invite us to revel in their unique designs, and perhaps even find memories in these "Slices of Americana" that dot the American landscape. The book features informative, historical, and enlightening text by Bruce Johansen.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Crotalus Publishing (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974186031
• ISBN-13: 978-0974186030
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,266,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars No-nonsense Main Street, December 10, 2006

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roadsides: Images of the American Landscape (Hardcover)

A really classy collection of black and white photos, mostly of eating-places in western states. What I like about these photos is their simplicity, no fancy angles or clutter, no bits of the buildings cut off or huge amounts of empty space, just eye-level shots either straight on or a three-quarter view. Essentially architectural photos, which let the viewer appreciate the exterior of the structure.

This might seem to put severe constraints on the photographer but here Kelly Povo lets her creativity rip by capturing many of these buildings at night, all the better to reveal some dazzling neon. One other thing I like is that the buildings are all nicely framed within the image area, just look at the Arcata movie house on page ninety, taken at night with its neon making it look like a streamline masterpiece and the surrounding blackness enhancing it even more.

Apart from diners and restaurants other photos include gas stations, movie theaters, motels and the usual commercial premises seen on any Main Street. They are presented in the proper photobook format: one to a page with generous margins and a caption below.

Ms Povo is to be congratulated on producing a little gem of a book full of photos that have a natural quietness and honesty that will encourage repeat viewings.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just beautiful images..., November 18, 2005

By 

Philip S. Donlay "Author of Category Five" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roadsides: Images of the American Landscape (Hardcover)

Roadsides is more than just a collection of beautiful images--it's a timeless journey back to a more innocent era. This book is a must-have for anyone who has ever taken a road-trip off the beaten path of our neon dotted four-lane highways. Povo has captured a vanishing part of the American dream and allowed us to see what was once an important part of ourselves.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Presenting the unique essence of entertainment, February 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roadsides: Images of the American Landscape (Hardcover)

Roadsides: Images of the American Landscape is both a black-and-white photography collection and a nostalgia tour of diners and cafes, bowling alleys and bars, drive-ins and motels across America. Presenting the unique essence of entertainment, sparkle, and slice of American on-the-go life such institutions embody, Roadsides offers a unique perspective into America's increasingly mobile culture. A brief narrative essay introduces each section, but the majority of Roadsides is devoted entirely to photographic imagery alone, usually exterior shots; the light-and-dark brilliant counterpoint of neon signs at night is especially notable.