Photographs: Twenty-Five Years

by Keith Carter

Keith Carter's photographs linger in the mind like images from an almost remembered dream. Evocative and haunting, they capture what Carter calls the "little askew moments" that allow viewers to see beyond the surface reality. This book brings together seventy-five photographs chosen by Carter to represent the range of his work since the 1970s. Many of the images in this book have never been published before, while others come from Carter's previous books. A. D. Coleman's introduction traces the development of Carter's work and maps his affinities with other artists and writers who are strongly influenced by the sense of place. In his own words, Keith Carter describes his maturation as a self-taught photographer in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas. He provides insights into his choice of subject matter, his methods of working, and his philosophy of what art should be and do. For the many people who have already discovered Keith Carter's photography, this book offers a visually compelling summation of his career to date. Those who have not yet had that pleasure will find it here.

Genres: Photography, Art

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Owlseyes]

"I photograph ghosts".

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. D. Coleman wrote an informative introduction to this book which, to my delight, defines what it means that photographers "move beyond the semantics of the medium into its poetics." I have wondered since my photography professor decried documentary photography and urged us to create poetry. I queried him about the meaning, eager to understand and apply, but he never answered. However, Coleman clarified for me, it means when "...one steps out of the literal and ostensibly transcriptive into the territory of the metaphorical..." That makes complete sense when viewing the work of Keith Carter.

Carter's images bring me to my knees. They evoke heightened emotions that are not merely about the subject of the photos themselves, but go deeper into that realm of metaphor of which Coleman refers. Coleman continues "...the frame of the image is merely a threshold over which the mind and eye of the viewer can freely step." I would add, into the realm of the metaphorical. Carter's work beckons, entices, then throws me over the edge of the frame into the constructed realities of his photos. For those brief moments the world around me ceases to exist and I meld with the photographs, emerging altered, yet conscious of immense gratitude for Keith Carter.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the review below from Owlseyes to see some of the haunting, mysterious and at the same time no-nonsense black and white photography of Carter, from East Texas, photographing his home area over the space of 25 years. 78 photographs of commonplace dogs and people and objects, with some magic about them nevertheless. Pretty amazing to have this book just sitting around lighting up everyone's faces for a week. An introduction by A.D. Coleman is useful in helping us get to know him and his work. Thanks, Owlseyes.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore keith Carter's work, and having had the opportunity to meet him (and have my book signed) makes my copy of Twenty Five Years that much more sentimental. That said, I enjoyed the writing in the book almost as much as looking at the images.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs in this book made my heart beat faster and gasp for air. Keith Carter is just that incredible. I love that he shoots the place he knows, looking for, as he puts it, the "imagination in the boondocks."