Rating: 
Summary: It moves like liquid, Stunning.
Review: Let me start by saying that I do not own this book. I came to know the book by browsing through a bookstore and It caught my eye immediately just by the cover. The images in this book can sometime be disturbing, but with that quality, beauty shines through; with the full and vivid color schemes. I would definately recommend this book to any photography admirer. This is one you should have in your collection. Again, it is imaginative, haunting, beautiful, and fantastic to the eye.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious, Show-offish Folderol
Review: Now that fine arts photography seems to be permanently entrenched in a rut, it seems as though the only way for photographers to get noticed is to become celebrity photographers. It is quite an easy formula: To become a celebrity photographer, one must immerse themselves in the mindless world of celebrities, and, thus through hyperbole and self-insertion into this world of celebrity, one becomes a celebrity him- or her- self. David LaChapelle is no exception to this sappy, self-serving, trend which began the moment Annie Leibovitz ran out of ideas.
It is no coincidence that LaChapelle is so often compared to Herb Ritts. Both of them produce technically strong work that, alas, has no soul. Both their work screams the triumph of style (and such schlocky, narcissistic and ultimately vapid style at that) over substance.
Ultimately, LaChapelle is an empty suit, now that the game in fine arts photography is not about achieving a unique vision -- wrought by years of mastering the craft of photography -- but in being seen as clever and trendy. The whole post-modern fraud -- in which LaChapelle is a routineer fellow traveller, posing as some sort of master of photography -- is predicated on the aesthetic equivalent of a hispter's sneer.
Strangely, though, LaChapelle's work is neither clever, nor hip. If you want clever, check out Weegee. For real hip photos daddy-o, peruse Phil Stern's pix of the Rat Pack. If you need to ride Madonna's coattails to notoriety, then hip is way over your head.
In Hotel LaChapelle, we are left bereft of inspiration and style. Certainly, the overly self-aware artiste gives a passable imitation of same, rather much as saccharine compares to honey. Strip this book of the glitz and the glam and we are left with a young photographer who has quite a store of technical know-how without the foggiest idea as to how he can put it to honest use.
To those comparing the ostentatious affectations of this posuer who fancies himself a photographer to Man Ray or Andy Warhol, pulllllleeeaase! Albeit, Warhol was oftentimes just as pretentious; however, Warhol did have some pretty striking ideas, and some of his graphic (re)creations were brimming over with the stark sensibilities of Roy Lichtenstein or Paul Rand. As for Man Ray, LaChapelle is way out of his league. Man Ray belongs up there with Magritte, Dali and Luis Bunuel; LaChapelle fits in a little better with other trendoids such as the photography staff of Us Magazine.
I find LaChapelle's work more akin to another hanger-oner of the celebrity scene, Yoko Ono. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book of digital photographic art
Review: Oooh this is an AMAZING WONDERFUL UNBELIEVABLE book of art. This is truly a photographic masterpiece with digital manipulations and careful eye for detail.
I was fascinated with this book from the very first time I picked it up. Each page is not simply a photo. It is a photo mixed with complementary photoshop tricks and sexy poses, eye-shocking closeups and bizarre props.
A few of my favorites:
There is one photo of a nude african-american man bent over with a vase of red roses stuck in his butt. Just writing it almost sounds laughable, but when you SEE it on the page - it really just gives you respect for the art.
There is a photo of pamela anderson lee nude covering her body with her hands as she stands with one foot out of a giant egg shell, as though she is a little bird hatching or something.
There is a photo of jerry springer with a beat up face (so detailed you can see the stitches and banged up scabs) and he is smiling and holding his thumb up.
There is a photo of Madonna (was once the cover of rolling stone) where she is laying inside of pink water with her hand in the air seducing the camera - with an airbrushed purple dragon behind her followed by rays of light, like one of her albums.
There is a photo of Lil Kim in the nude (except for a flesh-toned hat) and ALL over her body she is covered in Louis Vuitton brand symbols. As though she is a piece of leather, branded.
-- The WHOLE book is a compilation of some of the most extraordinary photos and backdrops you can imagine.
And to top it off, it's full of celebrities. Just packed with celebrities. Including Anna Kournikova, Marilyn Manson, Shirley Manson from Garbage, Cher, Elton John, Tori Amos, Mark Whalberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, and a ton more. I can't even name them all.
You gotta have this. I can't imagine anyone not wanting this. It does cost quite a bit, but when you think of all the conversations you can make with just ONE picture in this book, it makes the price seem like nothing.
LOL I took this book to Starbucks and I left with two new friends. Gotta love it.
Rating: 
Summary: D'shkith
Review: Sha'gh a-vat'o'iri'ie ol thdk'dlae moure'shtinginggag--lake lakgj, albial bklklb
Rating: 
Summary: Great! Despite what one reviewer said....
Review: The negative review of Jones "cornhoolio", calls this work "Pretentious"...but I think that's an obvious FORCED factor of David LaChapelle's work along with a heavy dose of commercial kitsch. In the review that Jones "cornhoolio" wrote, he states how LaChapelle is just one of many celebrity photographer who basically bought their way into the status of "celebrity photographer", he then compares him to Andy Warhol not to mention other CLASSIC photographers (Weegee? Man-Ray?!) who are of completely different genres and time periods...Pssh! Everything has it's antithesis, and LaChapelle seems to be the EPITOME of the cliched "style of substance" theory...which is an ACCOMPLISHMENT. His photographs depict consummate pleasure vs. stark seriousness.
He isn't my favorite photographer, but I do find his background interesting. As a teenager he did many experimental photographic works with his friends. At the age of 15, he ran away from home in North Carolina, (due to homophobia from his peers and near suicide attempts), and headed for New York living at a local YMCA. Many friends of his died of AIDS (including his then boyfriend), drug addiction and suicide. He happened to meet Andy Warhol at a concert, after which Warhol requested LaChapelle show him some of his high school work. He then lands a developing career as a photographer for Andy Warhol's "Interview" magazine...a magazine which is pretty much solely dedicated to the "up-and-coming" in the establishment. So please, dismiss the ignorant review of Jones "cornhoolio", and his whole theory of the "rat race" when it comes to celebrity photographers.
If you like this book, then I HIGHLY recommend getting the monograph of the Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf titled "SILVER". Kind of like "Joel-Peter Witkin meets David LaChapelle", dreamy, dark humor with a touch of grotesque.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: This book is amazing! Just as good as Lachapelle Land. I recomend it to anyone who enjoys photography, daytripping and social criticism in VERY creative ways. He totally transports you into his world. THIS BOOK IS A MUST!
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT EYE CANDY PHOTO BOOK!
Review: This is a great psychedelic experience from the twisted eyes of David LaChapelle. If you don't like this book, you are SICK! SICK! SICK!
Rating:
Summary: Twisted trip!
Review: This is a wondrful and crazy book. The work behind each of the images is mind-blowing. LaChapelle adds an extra dimension to every photo by making the scenery so complex one can't beleive he actually succeeded in getting that final shot. His crew must be the tightest on earth. Every page is an explosion/meltdown of colour, sex, action and joy. Ultra-modern and very hot!
Rating:
Summary: Twisted trip!
Review: This is a wondrful and crazy book. The work behind each of the images is mind-blowing. LaChapelle adds an extra dimension to every photo by making the scenery so complex one can't beleive he actually succeeded in getting that final shot. His crew must be the tightest on earth. Every page is an explosion/meltdown of colour, sex, action and joy. Ultra-modern and very hot!
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