Frits Gierstberg

Even by snapshot standards, the images in this charming book are exceptional. Leo Polhuis started photographing his first baby in 1959 and only stopped photographing his family in 1981, when he became ill. Polhius photographed, almost like an anthropologist, all family activities with the enthusiasm typical of a Dutch amateur. Many of these images overlap with current documentary practice and, in this sense, his work seems ahead of its time. Most archives or albums are haphazard, but presented here is a body of work that clearly demonstrates the meticulous devotion of a family man who, over the course of two decades, became a photographer.… (plus d'informations)

The Dutch Photobook describes the relatively recent history of the famed Dutch photobook. Editors Rik Suermondt and Frits Gierstberg chose over 120 of the most significant Dutch photobooks and placed them in the context of developments in photography and society.

The post-Second World War Dutch photobook is unique because of the long tradition of graphic designers and photographers working closely together. It is highly prized abroad, and many photobooks have become part of the collections of museums and private collectors. This book shows the immense variety and allure of the Dutch photobook and makes it accessible to a broad audience.

Six chapters, organized both thematically and chronologically, examine company photobooks, photobooks about youth culture, landscape books, city books, travelogues and autonomous photobooks. For each theme, the 20 most noteworthy books are described and represented by gorgeous illustrations of their covers and parts of their contents.… (plus d'informations)

"Het Nederlandse fotoboek" van Frits Gierstberg en Rik Suermondt is duidelijk gebaseerd op "The photobook, a history volume 1 and 2 *****" van Martin Parr en Gerry Badger. Evenals als in dit boek is het boek onderverdeeld in 6 thematische hoofdstukken, elk met een inleiding, waarin een aantal Nederlandse fotoboeken worden besproken. In vergelijking met "The photobook" worden minder fotoboeken per blz besproken, waardoor er meer ruimte is voor afbeeldingen van de besproken boeken. Hoewel ik de teksten iets minder vind, maken de betere illustraties dit gemis weer goed. Aanbevolen voor iedereen met een belangstelling voor Nederlandse fotoboeken.… (plus d'informations)