Great Houses Of Texas,   ISBN:9780810993938

Customer Rating: 

For the life of me I can't understand why people like this work. Its as if they mix up huge productions with good photography. Elaborate staging of emotionally dead scenes, with little life or insight. Tiresome, overwrought, melodramatic lighting of faux 'weird' streets/interiors/homes, or maybe its American Beauty photographed by David Lynch. Oh yes, and there's celebrities in some of his older images - why for goodness sake, why? Please save photography from this slow death.

Customer Rating: 

GREGORY CREWDSON IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST CREATING IMAGES THAT LEAVE YOU WANTING TO KNOW 'WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?' HE IS PERHAPS THE MOST TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER/ART MAKER TO APPEAR IN MANY YEARS. IF YOU HAVE INTEREST IN THE VISUAL ARTS, THIS BOOK IS NOT TO BE MISSED; IT IS AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF IMAGES THAT ARE STATIC 'MINI-MOTION' PICTURES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.

Customer Rating: 

I love this book. It sits on a table in my living room and is the most frequently browsed book that I own. I am not sure if it is the sheer size of the book that catches people's eye, but everyone who walks through my door will inevitably spend some time with it and point out something new and incredible i had not yet noticed. I think it is possible that I will never stop seeing new things in these photographs. If the insane size of the book deters you from purchasing one, let me assure that the large size is necessary. If you have every seen one of the wall size prints in his gallery show you will understand how much a large print contributes to the impact of these photographs.
I have heard criticism of the artist's process, but i don't believe i have ever come across someone who didn't find the work to be staggeringly beautiful.

Customer Rating: 

This is my favorite book by photographer Gregory Crewdson. The images are beautiful and it's the largest format of any of his books which adds to the movie-like feel of the photos. Vividly printed, this is an easy recommend for those who like surreal/staged photography.

Customer Rating: 

It's a fine Crewdson book, but I have a real problem with the essay by Russell Banks. Call me nuts, but I like to read my own "meaning" into photographs, or, more often, just enjoy them without reading in any generalized social or political comment. With Crewdson, you will naturally read in a lot, but it doesn't have to be social, political, or generalized. It can and, for me, should be, individual. Not a commentary on America, Reagan's America, American society, not a general commentary at all. Banks uses the book as an occasion for an attack on America. I get the distinct feeling that if it were a book of photos of side show freaks or dumps he would generalize that as an apt comment on the USA. Very offensive, almost like finding something smelly stuck between the pages. Example: "We Americans are permanently fallen creatures" And our unrealized fantasies have "turn[ed] us violent." Sick, I say, and out of place, even if it reflect's Crewdson's own views. "Shut up and sing," I guess you could say.