“This image makes me laugh every time I see it. I found the book with the woman seated at a desk some time ago but didn't have a clue as to what to do with it. I didn’t find a ‘mate’ until I began thinking about the limited-edition print ideas for Aperture. Truth be told, I found two books—but felt the one I used had more of the spark of tension needed for the final print—two coeds schooling us on the primal art of getting noticed.”—Thomas Allen To create this image, American artist Thomas Allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and lovingly slices out the cover figures, gently folding them into position and constructing witty scenes around them. He then photographs his carefully lit tableau with his four-by-five-inch camera, in shallow focus, using no digital effects whatsoever. This technique imparts a dreamy effect to his prints, reminiscent of the View-Master stereoscopic toy that is amongst his inspirations, delighting photography lovers, graphic designers, and bibliophiles alike.
