2008-01-25 Wow!

I just picked up a copy of this book and it is amazing. Although it is quite skimpy compared to other photography monographs I have the quality of the contents more than makes up for the lack of images.

Each photograph is a real eye-opener and one pauses for some time absorbing the content. The framing is beautiful which is a strange yet alluring contrast to the scenes of violence, squalor, drug taking and open sexuality on display.

To say the book is authentic is an understatement. I work as a police officer and have seen some harrowing scenes of domestic horror. I found myself stopping on several of the images, my eye hooked by some unknown detail or juxtaposition before realising these photographs reminded me of something I had seen at work.

I like the fact that there is no discourse on the rights and wrongs of drug taking, there is no bias, angle or agenda Clark tries to force. He simply conveys a lifestyle unknown and unimaginable to most, letting the images do the talking.

Do not expect a comfortable viewing, do no expect volumes of accompanying text (there is more written on the back cover than anywhere else), the content is a raw, visceral and unforgettable set of images that will haunt you for some time.

A definite five stars.