Photofile is a apparently a series of books that provides what they describe as “an accessible introduction” to some of the greatest photographers. And in this case it is Austrian / American photographer Ernst Haas.
The book is a relatively little paperback book (20 cm tall) with 67 photographs by Ernst Haas in colour and duotone. A far cry from some of the big and delicious coffee-table books you can find about photography, but so is the price, to be fair.
The book gives a relatively short 9-10 pages well written introduction to the professional life of Ernst Haas by Virginie Chardin and then the rest of the book is simply a presentation of 67 pictures shot by Ernst Haas.
Over at the homepage independent photo, Ernst Haas is quoted for saying: “Bored with obvious reality, I find my fascination in transforming it into a subjective point of view. Without touching my subject I want to come to the moment when, through pure concentration of seeing, the composed picture becomes more made than taken. Without a descriptive caption to justify its existence, it will speak for itself – less descriptive, more creative; less informative, more suggestive – less prose, more poetry.”
This book gives absolutely no information about the images other than the year and location, and as such it is very much in the spirit of Ernst Haas (“less descriptive, more creative”).
As I am a big fan of Ernst Haas’ work, I could have wished for more information about Ernst, more examples of his work, etc. But as such the format of the series Photofile aims for a lighter touch. So I find it to be a good introduction, but and introduction that wants me to see more of his amazing and pioneering work.
Related reading
Review: Street Photography – A history in 100 iconic images, by David Gibson
Review: Henri Cartier-Bresson Here and Now, by Clément Chéroux
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