Ralph Gibson Book order

In this appealing book, acclaimed photographer Ralph Gibson offers more than sixty intimate black-and-white portraits of guitar masters playing their instruments. Focusing his expert lens on musicians who have lent their unmistakable voices to virtually every musical genre—jazz, funk, rock, acoustic, blues, fusion, classical, and experimental—Gibson reveals in each photograph the intense relationship of the player with his beloved “axe.”  The musicians in turn offer individual meditations on the guitar and insights into the passion they share for it. State of the Axe features guitarists across several generations, from early jazz greats to hip modern rockers, as they play their widely varied guitars, including traditional six-strings, double necks, ten-strings, and fretless models. Gibson’s images capture the enduring appeal of the instrument and the intense, often rapturous expressions of those who pick, strum, amp, bottleneck, and bow the axe. Fusing his own passions for photography and music, Gibson generates a rhythm of words and images that creates a compelling view of the “state of the axe” today. Among the featured artists: Adrian BelewNels ClineJim HallMary HalvorsonAllan HoldsworthBill FrisellJohn McGlaughlinLou ReedJohn ScofieldMike SternAndy SummersJames Blood Ulmer

In Refractions , Ralph Gibson compiles his "Notes on the Aesthetics of Photography," a significant contribution to both practical and intellectual considerations for understanding and making photographs. It will be of interest to students, experienced practitioners, teachers, and collectors alike, as it contains the insights of one of the master protagonists of the photographic medium.

Bound in the publisher's original cloth over boards, spine stamped in white. Top fore edge corners are bumped. Dust jacket has light wear at the extremities. Illustrated throughout with 92 full-page black-and-white plates. English language version. Edited by Peter Weiermair.

First edition, first printing. Soft cover. Photographically-illustrated stiff wrappers; no dust jacket as issued. Photographs by Ralph Gibson. Unpaginated (72 pp.), with 34 black-and-white plates finely printed by Rapoport Printing Company, New York. 12 x 8-1/2 inches.