China: The Photographs of Lois Conner

Rating:
Summary: Great photo reproduction but disappointing subject focus.
Review: A black and white photography on China that lacks photos of people.

Up-front, I want to acknowledge that China is immense and probably impossible to capture in one book. I applaud Conners courage to travel by foot, bicycle, bus and train across the provincial provinces of China. Some of her photos lift off the page and wrap the stunning landscape of China around you. Callaway, the Publisher, is known for their superb quality in illustrated books and the reproductions here are excellent.

I acquired this book before I left for China and wanted to review it when I returned. I have been back about a month. What impressed me about China was the masses of people, all 1.3 billion of them. China seemed to be a compendium of human molecules always in motion. Take that, and then blend the contrast between the new modernity of the metropolitan areas and the stark inequality of the poverty of the peasants (over 80% of the population are still farmers), and you have quite a photographic opportunity.

None of this is captured in Lois Conner's book. Of the Tritone photographs over 80% lack people. Conner's photography was shot over a period of 15 years (1984 -1999). In those years over 215,000,000 people were added to the country's population. China, among other things, is about people. The soul of China is found in its people. Smiling faces, running children, friendly shopkeepers, generous strangers and polite professionals were the mental photos I remember of China.

Her photographs capture the space, shapes, shadows and unique landscapes found in this complex country and they do so, well. Perhaps Vicki Goldberg, of the New York Times, said it best, "The results are lovely and can be challenging, though some are just pretty pictures." I want more China. Recommended for the quality and reproduction of the photographs, but not for the subject focus.

Rating:
Summary: Great photo reproduction but disappointing subject focus.
Review: A black and white photography on China that lacks photos of people.

Up-front, I want to acknowledge that China is immense and probably impossible to capture in one book. I applaud Conners courage to travel by foot, bicycle, bus and train across the provincial provinces of China. Some of her photos lift off the page and wrap the stunning landscape of China around you. Callaway, the Publisher, is known for their superb quality in illustrated books and the reproductions here are excellent.

I acquired this book before I left for China and wanted to review it when I returned. I have been back about a month. What impressed me about China was the masses of people, all 1.3 billion of them. China seemed to be a compendium of human molecules always in motion. Take that, and then blend the contrast between the new modernity of the metropolitan areas and the stark inequality of the poverty of the peasants (over 80% of the population are still farmers), and you have quite a photographic opportunity.

None of this is captured in Lois Conner's book. Of the Tritone photographs over 80% lack people. Conner's photography was shot over a period of 15 years (1984 -1999). In those years over 215,000,000 people were added to the country's population. China, among other things, is about people. The soul of China is found in its people. Smiling faces, running children, friendly shopkeepers, generous strangers and polite professionals were the mental photos I remember of China.

Her photographs capture the space, shapes, shadows and unique landscapes found in this complex country and they do so, well. Perhaps Vicki Goldberg, of the New York Times, said it best, "The results are lovely and can be challenging, though some are just pretty pictures." I want more China. Recommended for the quality and reproduction of the photographs, but not for the subject focus.

Rating:
Summary: Clear View of China
Review: Conner's photographs provide glimpses into China that most images or photographers seem to hurry or miss. The clarity of image, the use of B&W, the huge format camera provide the format of a Chinese painting and somehow, the accumulated images give me an impression of China that is vast, exotic, laden with dust and reality, life and vitality. There is a solemn appreciation for the grand nature of this land.

I have had this book for a couple years now and every month or so I review the pages in this book and find new meaning. Maybe the juxtaposition with other images or my own perceptions changes as well with time? But what I find remarkable is the clarity of thought behind the images. This book provides me with continued enjoyment and I am sure most who are interested in understanding China will enjoy this book as well.


Rating:
Summary: This is a fantastic photo book!
Review: I became aware of Lois Conner's work when her book was chosen by the New York Times last year as one of the year's 10 best (one of only two of work by living artists to receive that honor). I immediately purchased this beautiful tome and have not been able to put it away. I have since seen some of her prints in person and can truly say that these wonderful reproductions capture the stunning beauty achieved in her original platinum prints. However, it is the pictures themselves that make her work the art that it is. From the amazing vistas of the "rounded" mountains to the new construction in Shanghai, Ms Conner has been spinning her tale of China over the last 15 years. Initially, the pictures that I was immediately drawn to were the more scenic views. They reminded me of traditional Chinese scroll paintings and fulfilled my fantasies of what China might be like. Over time however, I have been drawn to the abstract pictures of the dying lotus which remind me of the best paintings by Cy Twombly. As I look at these, I am amazed at how the lines of the lotus become like the strokes of Chinese calligraphy. This book would make a great present for many friends and family. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A Feast for the Eyes, Mind, and Soul
Review: Imagine if Ansel Adams had been interested in the interaction of nature and people in landscapes rather than the wilderness. Then, imagine that he had traveled widely in China from 1984 to 1999 to capture the country's image, history, and culture. Add a banquet camera and platinum printing using the tritone process. This will begin to give you an idea of what this book contains. I was entranced by these images of what I have not yet seen . . . but now better understand.

Ms. Conner brings several perspectives to her photographs that I found rewarding. First, the horizontal rectangles of the banquet camera remind me of a finely detailed scroll. Immediately, the images bring new understanding to much traditional Chinese art as well as to the impact that landscape has had on Chinese culture. Second, the interaction of people and nature create interesting thoughts for the viewer. Why is human orderliness so much less attractive than the less regular pulses of nature? Third, the people feel like they are in the room with you, providing the basis for potentially having a conversation. What do they think of photography? What do they think of those who will see the photographs? What message would they like to send? What messages have they sent? Fourth, history comes to life with the places. You see the desert boundaries of a dynasty. You see the political stage upon which a government exults in itself. The echoes of foreign domination linger on in other images. So, although these images do not have texts accompanying each one, they carry eloquent messages to both the casual and the careful observer. A helpful foreword by Jonathan Spence, thoughtful essay by Geremie R. Barme, and self-reflective notes by Ms. Conner add to the viewer's understanding of the intriguing, and often breathtaking, scenes.

As in the best photography books, this one uses facing pages well to create contrasts, dialogue, and new thoughts. The quality of the paper and the printing of the images are superb.

Usually, I am moved to pick out a few images for special mention as being the most outstanding. I did not have that reaction to this volume. I felt that almost every image was outstanding. Collectively, they tell a vastly more interesting story than they do individually. In total, there is an impression of China as it has been, is now, and is becoming that are vastly more indelible than the last ten books you could have read about China.

After you finish enjoying this wonderful volume several times, think about where else photographs could add depth of understanding that other ways of characterizing something could not. How can you use photographs to help others understand important lessons in those situations?

Press in all directions to expose new dimensions of reality!

Rating:
Summary: A Feast for the Eyes, Mind, and Soul
Review: Imagine if Ansel Adams had been interested in the interaction of nature and people in landscapes rather than the wilderness. Then, imagine that he had traveled widely in China from 1984 to 1999 to capture the country's image, history, and culture. Add a banquet camera and platinum printing using the tritone process. This will begin to give you an idea of what this book contains. I was entranced by these images of what I have not yet seen . . . but now better understand.

Ms. Conner brings several perspectives to her photographs that I found rewarding. First, the horizontal rectangles of the banquet camera remind me of a finely detailed scroll. Immediately, the images bring new understanding to much traditional Chinese art as well as to the impact that landscape has had on Chinese culture. Second, the interaction of people and nature create interesting thoughts for the viewer. Why is human orderliness so much less attractive than the less regular pulses of nature? Third, the people feel like they are in the room with you, providing the basis for potentially having a conversation. What do they think of photography? What do they think of those who will see the photographs? What message would they like to send? What messages have they sent? Fourth, history comes to life with the places. You see the desert boundaries of a dynasty. You see the political stage upon which a government exults in itself. The echoes of foreign domination linger on in other images. So, although these images do not have texts accompanying each one, they carry eloquent messages to both the casual and the careful observer. A helpful foreword by Jonathan Spence, thoughtful essay by Geremie R. Barme, and self-reflective notes by Ms. Conner add to the viewer's understanding of the intriguing, and often breathtaking, scenes.

As in the best photography books, this one uses facing pages well to create contrasts, dialogue, and new thoughts. The quality of the paper and the printing of the images are superb.

Usually, I am moved to pick out a few images for special mention as being the most outstanding. I did not have that reaction to this volume. I felt that almost every image was outstanding. Collectively, they tell a vastly more interesting story than they do individually. In total, there is an impression of China as it has been, is now, and is becoming that are vastly more indelible than the last ten books you could have read about China.

After you finish enjoying this wonderful volume several times, think about where else photographs could add depth of understanding that other ways of characterizing something could not. How can you use photographs to help others understand important lessons in those situations?

Press in all directions to expose new dimensions of reality!

Rating:
Summary: It takes you to China as you turn the pages!
Review: Wonderful! Having recently travelled to China and seen the still hidden and truelly communist parts of the country I thought that the book did great justice to the country and the people. I felt as if I were back in China as I read further and further into the book! I would recommend reading this book to accent a trip to China. Knowing the history and having a feel for the country before travelling is imperative for a successful journey. ENJOY!