William Mortensen


Book Description







The Command to Look


Book Description

The Command to Look was one of William Mortensen's most influential and sought-after books, and has been out of print for fifty years. Reproduced here in full, this book includes an essay by Michael Moynihan on how its images influenced the occult "lesser magic" of the founder of the Church of Satan, Anton Szandor LaVey. The book reproduces fifty-five images of Mortensen's best work and text by the wittiest and most biting writers on photography of their time.




The New Projection Control


Book Description

First published in 1948, this pioneering work on photographic art has remained a classic of the genre for over half a century. In this updated edition, renowned photographer William Mortensen offers a detailed guide to the dynamic use of light and shadow, pattern and texture, to create powerful and evocative images. With practical advice and a wealth of stunning photographs, this book is a must-have for aspiring photographers and cinephiles alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.




The Camera


Book Description




The New Projection Control


Book Description

First published in 1948, this pioneering work on photographic art has remained a classic of the genre for over half a century. In this updated edition, renowned photographer William Mortensen offers a detailed guide to the dynamic use of light and shadow, pattern and texture, to create powerful and evocative images. With practical advice and a wealth of stunning photographs, this book is a must-have for aspiring photographers and cinephiles alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.







Camera Craft


Book Description




American Grotesque


Book Description

American Grotesque is a lavish retrospective of grotesque, occult, and erotic images by the forgotten Hollywood photographer William Mortensen (1897–1965), an innovative pictorialist visionary whom Ansel Adams called the "Antichrist" and to whom Anton LaVey dedicated The Satanic Bible. Mortensen's countless technical innovations and inspired use of special effects prefigures the development of digital manipulation and Photoshop. Includes a gallery of more than one hundred striking photographs in duotone and color, many of them previously unseen, and accompanying essays by Mortensen and others on his life, work, techniques, and influence.




Catalog of Copyright Entries. New Series


Book Description

Includes Part 1, Books, Group 1, Nos. 1-12 (1940-1943)