Tattoo (Paperback)

~ Dale Durfee (Photographer) "It's not that long ago that Western eyes saw tattoos as a symbol of something barbaric and threatening, the preserve of 'lower' social class members,..." (more)
Key Phrases: body decoration, Mike's Family, Danny's Tattoo Studio, Jon Nott (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Tattooing-- once thought of as barbaric and the preserve of the lower classes-- is now mainstream. Tattoos are worn today not only by celebrities and leading media folk, but also by an increasing number of people in the street. Displayed proudly or hidden discreetly, tattoos are a permanent expression of individuality, and tattooing has finally emerged from the backstreet parlour to become high fashion. TATTOO contains over 65 superb color and black-and-white photographs specially taken for this book. Award-winning photographer Dale Durfee has persuaded a variety of people from every walk of life to show their tattoos. Here she presents the very best examples, some in high-detail close-up and others covering the whole body in spectacular style. Every aspect and type of tattoo is included, from delicate and beautiful flowers and rock 'n' roll icons, to Buddhist prayer symbols and interwoven Celtic designs of great simplicity and power. All the models share a refreshing open attitude and display their tattoos for the camera with warmth and spontaneity. Some have described the significance of their designs, why they were chosen and what the tattoo means to them. With amazing designs, remarkable people and some practical guidance on getting your first design, TATTOO is an inspiring and entertaining collection of body art-- the ultimate celebration of one of the world's oldest forms of body decoration.

About the Author

Dale Durfee was born in the United States and currently resides in London. Dale graduated as a graphic artist and illustrator but soon gravitated towards photography as the medium she found most effective for expressing her highly creative style. She has worked as a photographer for 25 years, and has travelled the world to tackle a variety of subjects, from endangered horses in Marwari, Rajasthan to glossy lifestyle commissions. Dale is one of the top creative and lifestyle photographers for Getty Images, and in 1991 won a prestigious award from Polaroid. She exhibits regularly at galleries in Britain and the US. Her work illustrates Erotic Aromatherapy by Chrissie Wildwood, published by HarperCollinsPublishers, and Marwari, published by Parkash Books, Delhi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312267843
• ISBN-13: 978-0312267841
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #824,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want to see some incredible wild tattoos?, January 7, 2002

By	"poodlebreath1" (Des Moines, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This is the best tattoo book I have purchased so far (and I have bought quite a few). The pictures are full color, full page and beautiful. From the basic to the outrageous and everything in between, if you are into piercings or tattoos this is a book for you. I took this book to my tattoo salon and it was a fight to get it back from the other clients, and my tattoo artist. This book caused me to do some stuff my moom isnt going to like, but heck, I am a grown-up and I can always wear a turtle neck! I totally, completely recommend this book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a joyous celebration of the decorated body, May 22, 2004

By	Merrily Baird (atlanta, ga USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are, as I am, most accustomed to reading about Japanese-style body decoration, Dale Durfee's "Tattoo" will come as a most welcome surprise. Here the tattoos represent the work of numerous artists--located primarily in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands--and the bodies decorated are those of both men and women whose ages range from 20 years all the way up to 70. The design styles, meanwhile, embrace everything from traditional Japanese to Polynesian to a charming spread of Winnie-the-Pooh style fantasy.

Still, the most compelling aspect of Durfee's beautiful photographs is the sense of life that radiates from her models. Too often tattoo models are stiffly posed with expressionless faces. Here you can enjoy the beautiful range of artwork represented and celebrate as well the pleasure that beautiful tattoo work (and other body decoration such as piercing) has brought to those who bear it, including two well-matched middle-aged couples. How very refreshing and inspiring!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Junk., September 22, 2006

By	M. Perry - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Tattoo (Paperback)

I'm really not sure how anyone could give this 'book' 4 or 5 stars??? Have any of you people writing these reviews actually seen other books on the medium. Must be not.

It's just a small collection of tattoo photos with little or no text accompymining them and no theme or direction to the photos and 'book' at all. Before I bought the book I was fooled by the rave reviews and the $6.00 price. I'm thinking, 'How could a tattoo book with such great quality be only $6.00?' Now I know. Just like your Momma warned you, "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is". Moms was right.

Stay away from this book and do yourself a favor--go down to your local magazine shop and shell out the $5 or $6 for a quality tattoo mag. You'll get about 10 times the bang for your buck.

If you really want a killer book on tattooing (albeit in the Japanese style) shell out the extra $$$ for Bushido. Now that is what a book on tattooing should look like and read like.

This was garbage.