Cool Hunting

Justin Guariglia: Planet Shanghai by Doug Black

planet_shanghai.jpg

Shanghai is a perplexing city. The "Pearl of the East" embodies the admirable characteristics of a modern metropolis, but often the inverse as well. In "Planet Shanghai"'s introduction, travel writer John Krich asks, "Is Shanghai the epitome of urbane sophistication or urban degradation? 'World' city or world wretch? Least 'Chinese' of China's fabled places or most irrefutably so?" Known for his photo work with National Geographic Traveler and Smithsonian magazines, photographer Justin Guariglia makes a case for each of those extremes through the 177 images that comprise this book.

Much has been made in the press of the great images of the city's pajama-clad residents, but "Planet Shanghai" takes a wide-ranging look at the city, both flattering and otherwise. Guariglia breaks the book into eight broad sections. "City" focuses on the grandeur and grit of the metropolis. "Style" pairs conventional street shots of locals interspersed with remarkably expressive portraits of people's feet. Other sections focus on daily life, food and leisure, with a brief portion of photos featuring dogs with their owners. The canine shots have a unique tenderness in a nation where dogs can still be considered a meal.

planet_shanghai1.jpg planet_shanghai2.jpg

More photos from the book can be seen here and you can buy Planet Shanghai from Chronicle or Amazon.

Also on Cool Hunting: Guariglia + Chen: Qì

Tools
Print
Email
Save / Bookmark
fShare Share
Permanent link
Sphere It
This entry posted on 11 June 2008 at 5:21 AM
previous entry
MUJI Award 03
next entry
Pillow Speakers
Related Entries
New York: Magnum Edition
Here's your chance to show just how much you heart New York (and stunning photography of it). The classic photography book "New York" is being published by Gloria Luxury in limited edition form, with only 25 copies available worldwide. Each massive book will include an estate-stamped gelatin silver print by Leonard Freed (pictured right, click for detail), who was of the league of photographers...
Jonah Samson: Kissing Pictures
In his new book, CH contributor Jonah Samson collects selections from "Kissing Pictures," his series of Polaroid photographs. As the name suggests, the images chronicle various couples in the act of kissing. Generally off-center composition and soft focus add a warm, personal feel to already intimate acts. The 19 pictures were collected over the last decade and act as a testament to the sincerity...
New York Dolls: Photographs
by Ariston AndersonBefore the Sex Pistols and before the Ramones, there was the New York Dolls, one of the first boy bands that wasn't afraid to dress like women. Renowned rock photographer Bob Gruen's new book, "New York Dolls: Photographs," is not quite your average coffee table book. Unless you like your living room reading to be a reminder of just how quickly the...
Graffiti Japan
by Ariston Anderson After the recent publication of a few books focusing on graffiti in Asia, photographer Remo Camerota is bringing his two cents to the table with his new book "Graffiti Japan." For anyone that has visited Tokyo, it's no secret that Japanese graffiti artists, while of course influenced by the New York scene, have created a beast all of their own with...
Recent Cool Hunting Videosview all Cool Hunting Videos
Advertisement
Advertisement
Recent Entries

Nuun Hydrations Tablets


The Spaceman Watches of 1972-77


Fergus Brown


New York: Magnum Edition


The Invisible: Monster's Waltz


Daze: South Bronx to Naples


Pivot


Alfred Kubin: Graphic Works 1897-1910


Claire Beckett