Ray K. Metzker: Landscapes

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Summary: Collects rarely seen works
Review: Metzker is a modern experimental photographer well known for his city photos. Landscapes departs from his tested realm into landscapes, collecting rarely seen works - most of which have never been published - and packing in black and white full-page images made around the world. Landscapes accompanies a traveling exhibition but also stands well alone.

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Summary: Land abstracted in sublime light
Review: One of the best photography monographs I've seen in years. Metzker continues to be a visual innovator in the vein of Harry Callahan or Aaron Siskind, exploring prosaic landscape subjects as a rich fodder for abstracting. His approach to a dense, 'all-over' composition has been seen in numerous other contemporary landscape photographers work (such as John Gossage or Robert Adams), but rarely with such an other-worldly romance and glow. I've been a fan for years of Metzker's more familiar series of abstracted street scenes, but these landscapes were a complete surprise. Beautifully printed volume. I'll be sure to make it to Philadelphia to take in the museum show.

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Summary: Showcases twelve series of photographs
Review: Ray Metzker is an experimental photographer whose work in the 1960s transform black and white landscape photography into a fine art. Ray K. Metzker: Landscapes showcases twelve series of his photographs. Evan Turner's informative essay on Metzker's life and work places this master photographer with an art-historical tradition spanning the contributions of such innovators as Boucher, Monet, Klimt, and others. An enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal, academic, or community library photography collection, Ray K. Metzker: Landscapes was flawlessly designed and based upon a major traveling exhibition of his work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (November 18, 2000 through February 11, 2001. Thereafter the exhibition will travel the length and breath of the country.

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Summary: Continued Evolution of Ray Metzker
Review: This volume continues the saga of Ray Metzker as one of the 20th century's premier photographers. His change of subject from urbanscape to landscape will startle those familiar with his opus. However, Metzker's focus on shape and design, and his darkroom mastery, bring us home. This volume leaves us wondering what will be next.

Rating:
Summary: Continued Evolution of Ray Metzker
Review: This volume continues the saga of Ray Metzker as one of the 20th century's premier photographers. His change of subject from urbanscape to landscape will startle those familiar with his opus. However, Metzker's focus on shape and design, and his darkroom mastery, bring us home. This volume leaves us wondering what will be next.