Book Review: William Klein's Life Is Good and Good For You In New York

Max Kozloff, 2010. William Klein: Life is Good & Good for You in New York (Books on Books). 1 Edition. Errata Editions.

William Klein's photo book 'Life Is Good and Good For You In New York' is regarded as one of the most inspiring and influential photo books in the past half century. It captures the visual electricity of the hustle and bustle of New York City, however representing it through the rough and tumble of everyday life and the hardship that comes with residing in New York, however presenting it in a way that no other art book has done before. Klein had initially been a painter embroiled in experimental Parisian abstraction of the 1950's. Later in the 1960s, among other careers, he became known as one of the most successful photographers of international high fashion.

 

In these photographs, Klein thoroughly extracts the sleaziness of City life, however clearly stating that sleaziness is not always an example of poverty. My interpretation of the message throughout all of these photographs is that although weariness and hardship are evident throughout, there is no questioning the high spirit and very attractiveness of City life itself.

 

This photo book and Klein's other work inspired my mini personal project by influencing the way I took my shots so that an unambiguous message, like Klein's, was presented in any viewers interpretation.