American Power

Remember our short discussion of Mitch Epstein (and his website) back in April? I note that his book American Power is back in print, after being in Steidlimbo for a number of months. People weren't happy with the website interface, but liked the pictures.

And on a completely different level, Mike Bender and Doug Chernack's funny website AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com has made it into book form. I have to admit this is a guilty pleasure—I'll browse along for page after page and then every now and then something will just really crack me up.

 

World's worst-ever wedding party photo, from AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com

Mike

Send this post to a friend

Please help support TOP by patronizing our sponsors B&H Photo and Amazon

Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. More...
Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Sam Murphy]

I hadn't scrolled down far enough and was thinking, ok, well the guy standing behind the group seems kinda out of place, and then I scrolled down and, well, yes, let just say I'm glad my laptop is of the splash proof variety! Brilliant!

[Chuck Albertson]

Shot at Gas Mask Park in Seattle. A horizontal composition would have worked here.

[ctein]

Dear Mike,

Heheh!

"Our family weddings have a long tradition of making ritual human sacrifices to the gods, to ensure the good fortune of the newly-married couple.

"So far it's worked quite well for us."

pax / caption-writing Ctein

[Mike Johnston]

"I hadn't scrolled down far enough and was thinking, ok, well the guy standing behind the group seems kinda out of place, and then I scrolled down and, well, yes, let just say I'm glad my laptop is of the splash proof variety! Brilliant!"

That picture cracks me up. I wonder if the photographer just couldn't get the lollards out of the frame, or if s/he was going for a sort of "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" feel and failed massively. Either way it's hilarious.

Mike

[KeithB]

Could this have been a full frame proof and the photographer would have cropped/photoshopped if it was chosen? (Of course the focus sucks, too.)

[Clive Evans]

I was in Arles last week for les recontres, Mitch Epstein won the prestigious Pictet Prize=chf100,000.
I bought the book, he signed it!

[Chuck Albertson]

We've had such a crappy summer here that when the sun finally comes out, the sun-bathers wouldn't move if someone called in an airstrike on them.

[Steve Jacob]

That picture is so bad it's good...just about everything is so wrong with it.

One almost wonders if it was deliberate.

[Jim]

Thanks for the photo and link to AFP. Brought a lot of smiles tonight.

[Michel]

Dang you Mike! I have waste precious hours going through the awkward photo site and then went through it with my wife. My abdominal muscles have not had that kind of work out since I don't know when.

[Mike Plews]

Once again TOP made my day. AFP is a hoot.

[Jeffrey Goggin]

Please stop writing about photography books, because I can't seem to stop myself buying them. Alas, I don't have unlimited means and if I continue to spend all my money on books, I won't be able to buy more camera gear...