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The Photography Workshop Series
Richard Misrach on Landscape and Meaning
In the sixth installment of The Photography Workshop Series, Richard Misrach—well known for sublime and expansive landscapes that focus on the relationship between humans and their environment—offers his insight into creating photographs that are visually beautiful and contain cultural implications.
Aperture Foundation works with the world’s top photographers to distill their creative approaches to, teachings on, and insights into photography—offering the workshop experience in a book. Our goal is to inspire photographers at all levels who wish to improve their work, as well as readers interested in deepening their understanding of the art of photography.
Through images and words, in this volume Misrach shares his own creative process and discusses a wide range of issues, from the language of color photography and the play of light and atmosphere, to transcending place and time through metaphor, myth, and abstraction.
Aperture Foundation works with the world’s top photographers to distill their creative approaches to, teachings on, and insights into photography—offering the workshop experience in a book. Our goal is to inspire photographers at all levels who wish to improve their work, as well as readers interested in deepening their understanding of the art of photography.
Through images and words, in this volume Misrach shares his own creative process and discusses a wide range of issues, from the language of color photography and the play of light and atmosphere, to transcending place and time through metaphor, myth, and abstraction.
- GenresPhotographyNonfictionArt
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 11, 2021
I own several photography books though the others are not written with a view to focusing on the photographer's work while the photographer shares their process and philosophy. This book is much like attending a photography workshop. It's Misrach's distillation of his photography style and philosophy; how he's gone about selecting his projects; as well as how his process has benefitted from shifting and changing along the way.
He discusses his landscapes and the relationships of the landscapes with the environment and cultural aspects as well.
The reason I didn't give this book a higher rating is two-fold. I feel for the price, it wasn't value for the money (my personal view anyway) and the other reason is because of the images. Although it was interesting to see some of Misrach's images, his images are made and intended to be viewed very large. In the book, it's difficult to see some of what he intends for the viewer to see. A few images didn't need to be really large but the majority included in the book fall into that category.
I definitely found some valuable points in his discussions that have served to motivate me in my own photography, which any workshop should do. But the motivation isn't just a fleeting or superficial type of motivation. Instead there were some gems that made me think more deeply about why I photograph, what I personally want to accomplish with my photography, and the importance of embracing change.
He discusses his landscapes and the relationships of the landscapes with the environment and cultural aspects as well.
The reason I didn't give this book a higher rating is two-fold. I feel for the price, it wasn't value for the money (my personal view anyway) and the other reason is because of the images. Although it was interesting to see some of Misrach's images, his images are made and intended to be viewed very large. In the book, it's difficult to see some of what he intends for the viewer to see. A few images didn't need to be really large but the majority included in the book fall into that category.
I definitely found some valuable points in his discussions that have served to motivate me in my own photography, which any workshop should do. But the motivation isn't just a fleeting or superficial type of motivation. Instead there were some gems that made me think more deeply about why I photograph, what I personally want to accomplish with my photography, and the importance of embracing change.
August 24, 2022
This book was recommended to me and I'm glad I bought a copy—it's an excellent introduction to Misrach's work and development as an artist. His first-person account of the series he has produced and his evolving thought is both enjoyable and instructive.
January 28, 2021
A bit short but nice dive into Richard's sublime work.
July 27, 2023
I actually do not know what the meaning of landscape photos is. I do also prefer the authors early street photography work to his landscapes.
What I like about Richard Misrach's landscape photos is what he puts in the frame and how he processes it with a lack of drama. He photographs off-center and may show part of a mountain, not the usual, "jam it all in the frame" image. There is also a stark existential look and feel to the images I enjoy. I grew up in the desert and get the empty feel of real desert.
The flash pics at night are also part of the exestential capture approach. They, as well as the low drama daytime images can be a little hard to grasp, where way too much drama, overcooked colors, and always sunrise/sunset makes every image look like every other image out there now. (Artistic use of color is something else, a horse of another color? 🤦) These images are also minimal in a more sophisticated way, without the forced on you, repetivive minimalism of photographers like Michael Kenna.
I could do without the "this is how you must feel this image vis-a-vie environmentalism" in some of his work. But it's his art, and those images do not work for me when I am told what I must see and feel about them.
If you are weary of yet another gaudy blue and red landscape try these.
What I like about Richard Misrach's landscape photos is what he puts in the frame and how he processes it with a lack of drama. He photographs off-center and may show part of a mountain, not the usual, "jam it all in the frame" image. There is also a stark existential look and feel to the images I enjoy. I grew up in the desert and get the empty feel of real desert.
The flash pics at night are also part of the exestential capture approach. They, as well as the low drama daytime images can be a little hard to grasp, where way too much drama, overcooked colors, and always sunrise/sunset makes every image look like every other image out there now. (Artistic use of color is something else, a horse of another color? 🤦) These images are also minimal in a more sophisticated way, without the forced on you, repetivive minimalism of photographers like Michael Kenna.
I could do without the "this is how you must feel this image vis-a-vie environmentalism" in some of his work. But it's his art, and those images do not work for me when I am told what I must see and feel about them.
If you are weary of yet another gaudy blue and red landscape try these.
December 26, 2022
Highly readable and encouraging diary-like walk through some of Misrachs work with an emphasis on original compositions, avoiding cliches and well worn subjects. Photos are selected more for their meaning to the photographer, than mere aesthetics.
Not the most practical book, but more an enthusiastic and honest account of the experiments and growth of a photographer over their career. The writing is as exciting as the odd but interesting pictures: engaging and almost biographical. A nice tip is how the caption of an image can alter the viewer’s interpretation…
Although I enjoyed reading and exploring the images,
I only gave 3 stars since some of the reproductions are either missing pink colours mentioned by the author or else my eyes are failing me… Also I think calling this book part of a workshop is a bit misleading, since it is more an encouraging guide to get out there and take photos that mean something for you, rather than a kind of how-to or a set of exercises to try…
Nevertheless, the text is inspirational and I hope if I also live to be 70, I will also still be taking photos.
Aperture press have another text “The Photographers playbook” which seems more what I was looking for…
Not the most practical book, but more an enthusiastic and honest account of the experiments and growth of a photographer over their career. The writing is as exciting as the odd but interesting pictures: engaging and almost biographical. A nice tip is how the caption of an image can alter the viewer’s interpretation…
Although I enjoyed reading and exploring the images,
I only gave 3 stars since some of the reproductions are either missing pink colours mentioned by the author or else my eyes are failing me… Also I think calling this book part of a workshop is a bit misleading, since it is more an encouraging guide to get out there and take photos that mean something for you, rather than a kind of how-to or a set of exercises to try…
Nevertheless, the text is inspirational and I hope if I also live to be 70, I will also still be taking photos.
Aperture press have another text “The Photographers playbook” which seems more what I was looking for…
January 20, 2025
Incredible monograph with commentary from the artist on his creative growth. Such an inspiration to he how he has evolved his art as the technology of photography has evolved Fri black and white to color to digital.
March 6, 2022
Not bad.
March 19, 2022
Fascinating look at work of my favourite photographer, giving insight into his creative process and career trajectory.
May 21, 2023
An insightful monograph - Misrach talking about his own work will prompt any creative artist to think differently about their own.
March 6, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It gives you a glance in Misrach’s thoughts and process. Very thoughtful and inspiring!
June 6, 2024
Read this in two days. What a fantastic introduction to Misrach’s work. Beautifully edited. Simply written. And the quality of the images are really stunning.
March 16, 2022
It helps, I suppose, to complete this book, as I have, near a large picture window in the hour that wraps around sunrise in the Northern California mountains, and not long after a trip in the desert east of Palm Springs. I set it down, picked up my camera, and knew what to do with my explorations for the rest of the week.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews