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Uncommon Places: The Complete Works
Published by Aperture in 1982 and long unavailable, Stephen Shore's legendary "Uncommon Places" has influenced a generation of photographers. Among the first artists to take color beyond advertising and fashion photography, Shore's large-format color work on the American vernacular landscape stands at the root of what has become a vital photographic tradition. "Uncommon Pl...more
Hardcover, 180 pages
Published
June 15th 2004
by Aperture
(first published November 1982)
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When I elbowed through the pink David LaChapelles and the anal-retentive Ansels (always the Ansels) I discovered this at the local B&N today, its dust jacket beaten-up and sliced a little on the back, by an incautiously wielded box cutter probably. Usually these defects alone would dissuade me from laying down fifty-five simoleons (less member discount) for a book. But... my consumerist enzyme kicked into overdrive and I had to have it NOW, not next week, not tomorrow, not in an hour. NOW. I...more
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As a child of the American west—I grew up in the very neighborhoods that Robert Adams documented so powerfully in his work from the 70s—I’m always seeking out art that examines the region (which I consider pretty much everything west of the Mississippi) and its shifting identity, particularly as this metamorphosis really picks up speed after WWII. There’s no shortage of art that tackles this “issue,” be it LA noir, Paris, Texas, Beat literature, or the works of John Luther Adams or Ed Ruscha, al...more
Stephen Shore grew up in downtown New York. One day, he and a friend decided to drive to Amarillo, Texas and get out of the big city for a spell. Uncommon Places is a result of that trip. Although I'm not a huge fan of landscape photography, I enjoyed viewing what Shore thought was "uncommon" (the name of his book), as I grew up in rural and smalltown America and found many of the photos "commonplace." That is no disrespect to the artist, however. I find him incredibly compelling as an artist an...more
There's an aesthetic I like to call "the good ugly." Clunky old cars, crumbling signage, mid-century architectural flourishes that once were cutting-edge but now just seem bizarre: this is where the fugly becomes fabulous, and I love it all. Chances are, you know some slightly offbeat person who does, too--and this person will go gaga over photographer Stephen Shore's Uncommon Places. Initially published in 1982, the new "Complete Works" edition--what Shore likens to a "director's cut" version--...more
This book got me off my Eggleston stance (somewhat) and his work feels a lot 'wider' with a some overlap of content/subject with Eggleston - not freakishly surprising. The cityscapes he captured reminded me of the story about R. Crumb going around a city with a photographer so he could capture what it all looked like - all the curved wires etc. - only Shore shares his eye on what is lovely and now, mostly gone, naturally or humanly.
Images stick out in my mind and his use of color as he captures...more
Images stick out in my mind and his use of color as he captures...more
One of my favorite books of photography. Author listed as Lynne Tillman, however photos are by Stephen Shore. There is a conversation between Shore and Tillman printed in the book.
Stephen Shore, Uncommon Places (Aperture, 1982)
Uncommon Places is a book of photography, and pretty good photography at that. The only real problem to be had with it is that, well, the places actually aren't all that uncommon. I can see how they'd look that way to someone born and raised in New York City (though one wonders about, say, the corner of 20th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia making an appearance), but if Shore is trying to make a point here about the commonality of these places bei...more
Uncommon Places is a book of photography, and pretty good photography at that. The only real problem to be had with it is that, well, the places actually aren't all that uncommon. I can see how they'd look that way to someone born and raised in New York City (though one wonders about, say, the corner of 20th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia making an appearance), but if Shore is trying to make a point here about the commonality of these places bei...more
Interesting pictures. Some are very beautiful, others are very interesting, some have a nice sense of humor, and a couple are really depressing. Oh, and there are some pictures of a hotel in medicine hat which is neat!
I got this book for my boyfriend. It is difficult to find, and has some interesting images from bizarre, abandoned American places.
Don't pre-judge a subject for a photograph. Take lots of photos!
I am not a photography buff. Saw the exhibit in L.A. at the Hammer museum. I read magazines like "Vice", which feature alot of photogs who seem to be influenced by this guy. I thought his stuff was awesome- very contemporary, like someone travelled back in time and shot 70s landscapes etc.
Also: it's a big book- so have ample shelf space ready if you don't want to keep it on your coffee table or on display.
Also: it's a big book- so have ample shelf space ready if you don't want to keep it on your coffee table or on display.
This collection, like American Surfaces, represents neither Shore's better work nor precisely why he's important as he is. It's terrifically underwhelming, I'm saying, though one shouldn't give up on him.
gorgeous photos. Not much to say...I dig the work and I like the fact that the book is ordered by the date the photograph was taken.
Beautiful photos from accross the country. As look at America is the 70's.
Liked the pics. Love big urban artsy picture books.
Unusual images, loved it!
amazing photographer
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