Heber Springs Portraits: Continuity and Change in the World Disfarmer Photographed

By Toba Pato Tucker

Book Overview

Mike Disfarmer, an eccentric local recluse, photographed the residents of Heber Springs, Arkansas, in his studio on Main Street in the 1930s and 1940s. His glass-plate negatives were discovered... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826317332
• ISBN13: 9780826317339
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Univ of New Mexico Pr
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An American Original

Mike Disfarmer was a commercial photographer in Heber Springs, Arkansas and devoted his studio time to capturing completely unfettered, natural, no props, no nonsense formal photographs of the folk who lived in Heber Springs. These photographs were for personal use - mementos, pictures to send to soldiers away at WW II, pictures to document families. As such these photos are some of the most tender presentations of small town folk in middle America. They are honest and in that honesty they are extraordinarily beautiful. That Toba Pato Tucker would gather the curiosity and sensitivity to take on this comparative study, given the the profound respect Disfarmer has gained through his project, speaks voumes about her gifts. The result of this 'wrinkle in time' book is one of wonder and warmth. The presentation of the photographs on matte black background serves to enhance the classically poetic feel of this work. This is a mesmerizing portfolio, guaranteed to stir many memories of faded dreams. Grady Harp, December 09