Breaking Bounds: The Dance Photography of Lois Greenfield

By William A. Ewing

Book Overview

In this collection of 87 duotone images that virtually leap off the page, Lois Greenfield's revolutionary photographs capture the explosive energy and beauty of dancers' bodies in motion. Made between 1982 and 1991, they are the result of a collaboration between Greenfield and a group of extraordinary dancers asked to "leave their choreography at the door." They take risks, pushing to the absolute limits the boundaries of both dance and photography with an energy so forceful it seems barely contained by the black lines of the camera frame. Edited, sequenced, and with an introductory essay by William Ewing, including an interview with Lois Greenfield, Breaking Bounds is dance photography on the edge. Sensual and mesmerizing, these images will entrance dancer and non-dancer alike -- as well as anyone who loves fine photography -- with their powerful, elegant depiction of the human body in midair.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811802329
• ISBN13: 9780811802321
• Release Date: May 1992
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.5" x 10.6"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Captivated you will be.

Sometimes, one might wonder if there's anything new and exciting that a photographer can do with the human form. The answer is yes. This volume collects 87 black-and-white photographic images taken by Greenfield from 1982 to 1991, in which she collaborated with a talented group of dancers for impromptu movement. The pieces were not choreographed, but were the results of ongoing experimentation with motion and light. The results are amazing. Fluid. Organic. Motion captured in a frozen moment, and stillness seeming to burst with unceasing energy. Bodies hang in mid-air, in mid-flight, solo or entwined or complementing each other in a synergy of arts ... a living sculpture caught in time. It's hard to describe what Greenfield has seen through her lens. The dancers exhibit incredible feats of balance, emotion and passion for the dance. In some they're wearing tights and leotards, in others they're costumed as if for a show. In many they're not clothed at all, showing off their flexing muscles and rippling skin as they move through the dance. And the camera captured it all. by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor

Captivated you will be.

Sometimes, one might wonder if there's anything new and exciting that a photographer can do with the human form. The answer is yes.This volume collects 87 black-and-white photographic images taken by Greenfield from 1982 to 1991, in which she collaborated with a talented group of dancers for impromptu movement. The pieces were not choreographed, but were the results of ongoing experimentation with motion and light. The results are amazing. Fluid. Organic. Motion captured in a frozen moment, and stillness seeming to burst with unceasing energy. Bodies hang in mid-air, in mid-flight, solo or entwined or complementing each other in a synergy of arts ... a living sculpture caught in time. It's hard to describe what Greenfield has seen through her lens. The dancers exhibit incredible feats of balance, emotion and passion for the dance. In some they're wearing tights and leotards, in others they're costumed as if for a show. In many they're not clothed at all, showing off their flexing muscles and rippling skin as they move through the dance. And the camera captured it all.

Visually stunning....

This book's photography are excellent and exemplify the beauty, symmetry (asymmetry) of modern dance. All those interested in celebrating the human form will find this book fascinating, even if modern dance is not in their background. My favorite photograph is on p. 73, as it brings out the dancers in mid-flight, totally out of equilibrium, as though Doris Humphrey herself was arranging the scene.......

Explosive energy captured on film!

This book is perfect for display on the coffee table. Friends who look through it are as fascinated by Greenfield's work as I am. The frozen moments and the print quality make this a beautiful addition to any photo book collection. A MUST HAVE FOR LOVERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND DANCE!

Got to have it!

I have always had the fantasy of photographing dancers. A few years ago, I came across Greenfield's dance calendar. I hated to see the year end. This book is an excellent collection of her works with an interview about how she ended up with her special style of shooting and the themes behind her work. The quality of images is superb. For those of you who are familiar with Pilobilus, the dance group, you will find the connection by reading this book (teaser). The book is full of energy and motion, because that is the nature of Greenfield's work.