Weeds [Paperback]

Howard Bjornson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and with these portraits, Howard Bjornson has uncovered the natural beauty that persists right in our own backyards. Sixty-four stunning photographic portraits of common dandelion, evening primrose, sunflower, and many other "unwanted" plants herald the grace and loveliness of nature's most resilient, free-spirited creatures. Accompanied by both their common and Latin names, as well as inspirational quotes on rich vellum pages, these sumptuous photos are the perfect gift for the gardener who has everything.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Howard Bjornson has run his own photography studio in Chicago since 1980. His work has been exhibited in several shows and, most recently, in the 1999 Communication Arts Photo Annual . He has discovered through the creation of this book that one needn't travel the world to find untamed natural beauty--most of the weeds for this collection were gathered within a few miles from his studio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811827216
• ISBN-13: 978-0811827218
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And from the basic and practical point of view..., June 4, 2000

By 

"notlouise" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weeds (Paperback)

I plan to give this book to lots and lots of people for Christmas this year. Yes, it's exquisite art, yes, it enriches the reader by connecting her or him to the Earth beneath us, but it's also simply a GORGEOUS book to look through over and over again. The photos here on Amazon, as pretty as they are, simply don't do the book justice. The photographs in the book have a depth and richness that evoke such a mood... A really nice mood. I've given coffee table art books as gifts before, but this'll be the first art book I've given as a gift when I actually have it on my coffee table.

When is Mr. Bjornson going to do another book? Very soon, I hope.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Weeds!, August 1, 2001

By 

Wes Williams (Reynoldsburg, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weeds (Paperback)

Boy do I like this book! From the front cover with its striking portrait of nodding wild onion (Allium cernuum) to the alien looking bur sedge (Carex grayi var. hispidula) on the back cover and everything in between its luxurious vellum pages. Yes ma’am, yes sir, I like this book. Weeds is a superb collection of some very common weeds cast in an uncommonly flattering light. Sure, it’s apparent that Bjornson occasionally utilizes some special effects magic to enhance their beauty. So what? Even super models need a little touch up treatment from the ole airbrush now and then. These sixty-four outstanding photographs make a clear aesthetic statement: weeds can be beautiful. We all know weeds can be downright ugly. But through the appreciative eye of Bjornson their hidden beauty is revealed. He has made a silk purse out of a sows-thistle, so to speak.

But weeds are not just another pretty face to him. Learning about weeds revealed a cosmic truth to Bjornson. The truth that “one needn’t travel the world to find untamed natural beauty.” These enchanting photographic portraits are gently interspersed with some thought provoking ‘weed’ haiku such as, “Wherever weeds won’t grow let man beware to go” and “Weeds are the strong and persistent creatures who live in weak circumstances”. Bjornson also cheerily refers to these “persistent creatures” as the “free spirits of the natural world”. Free spirits! This is great stuff. Who in their right mind would ever refer to velvet leaf (Abutilon theophrasti), as a free spirit? I dare say not a single Weed Science professor in recent memory.

And speaking of velvet leaf, Bjornson’s picture of this oh so common character is dazzling. One can almost feel the densely hairy stems. The detail is remarkable. This attention to detail is true of each and every picture. I don’t know how Bjornson achieves his effects but the realism of the photos is gently juxtaposed against his artistic interpretation in a way which conveys their beauty without distortion. His technique lovingly captures their color, form, and texture. Truly, these dramatic and beautiful portraits are almost mystical. But as he says in the intro, “It is a matter of perspective”. Do I rave? Yes, because I really like this book and I would suggest you peruse it with a glass of your favorite beverage, some Bach and a big cushy chair.

Those of you looking for an ID challenge won’t be disappointed. None of the pictures in the main portion of the book are labeled. They are identified in the back of the book by a smaller version of the same picture. The scientific name does accompany the picture. Since Bjornson gathered all of his plants within a few miles of his Chicago studio there are a few that may be unfamiliar to those living in Central Ohio.

This is a unique art book of extraordinary caliber. It is marvelously conceived and executed. Production values are high. It is a first class piece of work in every sense of the word. Brjonson demonstrates that he knows his subject thoroughly and personally. A subject of which he says, “One man sees a weed the same weed to another may be a flower.” You can preview this book by logging on to Bjornson’s website .... I know you won’t be disappointed. By the way, did I say how much like this book?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Weed Comes Up Through the Cracks!, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Weeds (Paperback)

I have lived my whole life in the area where Bjornson collected the ignoble subjects of his book and have walked right over there beauty.

In this book Bjornson has transformed the lowly weed to the hight of zen-like visual beauty. He makes it look so simple...so simple that only hard work and great talent could produce such a work.

Many years ago when I was taking botany in college the professor told us that a weed was only a plant that nobody wanted...Well that may be true but it dose not apply to this beautiful book which I am sure you will want.