The Open Road: Photography and the American Roadtrip

by David Campany

The road trip is an enduring symbol in American culture. Ever since cars became widely available, the road stretching over the horizon has represented a sense of possibility and freedom, discovery and escape—a place to get lost and find yourself. The American road trip has appeared prominently in literature, music, and movies, but it has had an especially powerful influence on photography. As photographers have embarked on trips across the United States with the express purpose of making work, they have created some of the most important photographs in the history of the from images by Walker Evans, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Berenice Abbott to Robert Frank’s seminal 1950s odyssey, The Americans . From Stephen Shore to Ryan McGinley, hundreds of other photographers have continued the tradition.
The Open Road is the first book to explore the photographic road trip as a genre. It opens with a comprehensive introduction, which traces the rise of road culture in America and considers photographers on the move across the country and across the century, from the early 1900s to present day. Each chapter explores one body of work in depth through informative texts and a portfolio of images, beginning with Robert Frank, and including such renowned work as Garry Winogrand’s 1964 , Joel Sternfeld’s American Prospects , William Eggleston’s Los Alamos , and Alec Soth’s Sleeping by the Mississippi . The Open Road is a visual tour de force, presenting the story of photographers for whom the American road is muse.

Genres: Photography, Travel, Art, Nonfiction, Art and Photography, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2014

Reviews

[Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful stuff. Campany started with a can't-lose concept, of course, but the treatment here is about as good as one could hope. His introductory essay is engaging and insightful, the layout of the book is gorgeous, and it's hard to argue with his selections. An inspiring and wholly satisfying journey through the past 100 years of restlessly creative American travel photography.

[Digi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterful book. Oversized and as a result heavy, but with large prints and a description about he work of the photographer featured in each section. It is about the American road trip, but covers many different view points and aspects of either life on the road, or of people living in some desolate areas. There is beauty in these photographs, and it has sparked the desire to find the larger works of the photographers featured.

[Dale L. Ricklefs · Rating 5 out of 5]

We visited the Blanton in Austin, Texas and enjoyed the exhibit that is represented in this exhibit companion. The photos and captions are excellent. For those who grew up in the 1950s to early 1970s, the selected images are nostalgic and at time very poignant. A great gift book or suitable for those who collect photographs reflecting American history and culture.

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the simple cover. This is an amazingly beautiful collection of photographs from the past and present. covering the wide and diverse landscape and people that make up the USA. Simply stunning. A brilliant addition to any coffee table.

[John Verna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this to be one of the best compilation books ever published.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the history of road trip photography in America. The last photographers featured, and their posed, artificial, work, did not seem very relevant so a star was docked. Otherwise, well recommended.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exhibit toured and came to Detroit in 2016 but I procrastinated and missed it.

[Jason Machinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like street photography this is a must read. The book is very well researched, the maps at the back are a very cool addition and the images are great. Want to read it again.