Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph

The 1972 Aperture Monograph presents eighty photographs by Diane Arbus, curated shortly after her death by her daughter Doon Arbus and friend Marvin Israel. The images span Arbus's career from 1962-1971, documenting her encounters with both ordinary and extraordinary subjects across New York City and beyond. This landmark publication includes Arbus's most recognized portraits - carnival performers, nudists, suburban families, eccentrics, and people on the margins of society. The stark black and white photographs are accompanied by selected writings from Arbus's notebooks and letters, providing context about her process and philosophy. The monograph established Arbus's legacy and influenced the course of art photography. Her direct, frontal style and choice of subjects challenged conventions about what could be photographed and how. The work raises enduring questions about identity, belonging, and the relationship between photographer and subject.

Readers praise the raw intimacy and psychological depth of Arbus's photographs, particularly her portraits of marginalized people and those on society's fringes. Many note the excellent print quality that captures details in both highlights and shadows. Positive reviews highlight: - The comprehensive selection of 80 photographs - Arbus's own words and writing throughout - The chronological presentation showing her evolution Common criticisms: - Some find the subject matter exploitative or voyeuristic - Print size is smaller than original exhibition prints - High price point for a relatively slim volume Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) "The photographs hit you in the gut" writes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader notes: "Her ability to capture vulnerability in every subject, whether circus performer or suburban family, is unmatched." Several reviews mention feeling both attracted to and disturbed by the images, which they say creates a memorable viewing experience.

Mirrors and Windows by John Szarkowski A collection of street photography that captures intimate portraits of American life during the same era as Arbus's work.

Walker Evans: American Photographs by Walker Evans The photographs document Depression-era America with a focus on the overlooked and marginalized subjects that later influenced Arbus's aesthetic.

The Americans by Robert Frank This photographic survey of 1950s American society presents outsiders and social outcasts through a raw, unfiltered lens.

Photographs by Richard Avedon The black-and-white portraits reveal psychological depth in subjects ranging from celebrities to ordinary citizens.

Evidence by Larry Sultan, Mike Mandel The collection recontextualizes found photographs to examine the relationship between documentation and truth in photography.

📸 The book was published in 1972, a year after Diane Arbus's death by suicide, making it the first major collection of her work to be published posthumously. 🎨 Many of Arbus's most iconic photographs featured in the book were taken with a twin-lens Rolleiflex camera, which allowed her to maintain eye contact with subjects while shooting from waist level. 👥 The monograph includes Arbus's famous images of marginalized individuals, including circus performers, transgender people, and those with unusual physical characteristics—subjects that were rarely photographed with such intimacy in the 1960s. 📖 The book's initial printing of 12,000 copies sold out before publication, and it remains one of the most influential photography books ever published, having never gone out of print. 🗣 The book contains Arbus's own words throughout, drawn from letters, notebooks, and interviews, providing intimate insight into her philosophy of photography and her unique perspective on her subjects.