la photographie contemporaine

by Susan Bright

The most comprehensive survey of contemporary art photography on the market is now in paperback, and not a moment too soon. If photography helped shape art in the twentieth century, it has begun to dominate it in the twenty-first. Not only are major international museums and galleries devoting blockbuster exhibitions to the medium, but artist-photographers are being celebrated as contemporary masters, with their work commanding unprecedented prices. This essential survey presents the work of 76 of the most important and best-loved artist-photographers in the world today, including Andreas Gursky, Thomas Struth, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Wall, Sophie Calle, Wolfgang Tillmans, Nan Goldin, Martin Parr, Allan Sekula, Boris Mikhailov, Inez van Lamsweerde, Stephen Meisel, Philip-Lorca diCorcia and Sam Taylor-Wood. Introductions to each thematic section-City, Portrait, Document, Object, Landscape, Fashion and Narrative-offer words from the artists and valuable insights into their motivation, inspiration and intentions. An introduction to the volume as a whole sets out the historical relationship between art and photography from the early nineteenth century forward, and covers the art world's embrace of the medium in recent decades. "Art Photography Now" is a deep and visually striking guide to the essential aspects of contemporary photography.

Genres: Photography, Art, Art and Photography, Nonfiction

226 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Michelle]

A good mix of the variety of "art photography" - not for those who have a preconceived or narrow idea of photography as a genre - they would say, I imagine: "So what? I can do that." A good display of what it means to have narrative, context and content. And also a good starting point. With the plethora of "photographers" out there, and many self-published, it is not easy to wade through to find those with ideas that one can draw from for inspiration.

[LaLa]

It was so badly laid out. really sad for the artists included.

[AmyShelton]

I had this as a textbook for my advanced photography class in college. I'm 4 years out of college but still reference it all the time. It shares the must knows artists in contemporary photography. But more importantly also inspires new ideas and approaches to how to make a photograph in a million different ways. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about contemporary photography.

[Private]

Ich fand gut dass Aussagen der jeweiligen Fotografen zu den Projekten im Buch waren für mich sind allerdings viele der Projekte eher dokumentierend und weniger auf künstlerischen Ausdruck ausgelegt. In einem Buch was Art Photographie zum Titel nahm hätte ich mehr künstlerische Projekte erwartet.

[Joe]

Like most surveys, a mix of brilliant work and crap. If aliens landed in 2005 and wanted a brief glimpse into the world of photography, then this book would be OK. If you know your photo history and keep up with contemporary photography then this will be a review, and the essays a bit of a bore. I don't typically use the word "meh" but it's appropriate in this case. I enjoy discovering new work and new ideas and there wasn't much here for me.

[Northern K Sunderland]

There are a lot of really great Artists featured in this book. But the main thing I got from this book, is that there are a lot of really terrible photographers out there who just have a lot of money behind them to produce something mediocre at best. But with money comes adoration, so I they are considered to be in the top tier of the photography world. Which makes you feel both good and bad.

[Anda]

for a photography book, this is super text-dense and text-rich. super solid. super good. nearly perfect. my only critique is the physical nature of the book itself. could have had a better design/delivery ... especially since it's an 'art book.' i love contemporary art ... and i recommend this to others who do too.

[Edy]

pretty, oh so pretty


"I always want to make pictures where people can smell the sweat of another human being. They can feel what other people are feeling-- that's what I do in my pictures."

-Nan Goldin-

perfectly encapsulates my motivations when photographing people.

[Mikal]

There are so many brilliant people in this world!

[Charlotte]

This books takes you through a variety of different photography styles. Whilst showing you a variety of photographers too.

[Dust Digital]

A book that documents some styles within art photography. Portrait to landscape, narrative to object, fashion to document - this book shows the variation in photography today.

[Polly Alexandra]

I loved this book. The images are incredible and it was great to read into more depth about the artists that were involved.

[Jocelyn Green]

Great inspiring photos with littles bits about the images created and the photographer, good for referencing.

[Karen McGlamery]

I mostly browsed the photos. Who says an adult can't enjoy a picture book?