Ralph gibson

Contrasty, minimal and surreal, Ralph Gibson's images don't conform to photographic norms, writes David Clark

“I always wanted to make photographs for myself and impress myself more than anybody else. I’m always in search for that feeling of knowing how to make a photograph that will interest me to look at.”

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An exhibition in Paris features nudes and other artful black-and-whites by American master Ralph Gibson.

In 1973 Ralph Gibson published his first photobook, The Somnambulist; he followed up with Déjà Vu in 1973, and Days at Sea in 1974. Together the books form a trilogy which has been credited with re-imagining the modern photobook; all three were published by Lustrum Press, an organisation formed by Gibson to retain creative control of his work. Now more than 150 images from the trilogy - aka The Black Trilogy - will be shown at the Pavillon Populaire in Montpellier, South France.

Works by Ralph Gibson: Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, 2004 , White Nude, 1989 (Printed Later) , Pharaonic Light, 1987 , Lips, 1986 (Printed Later) , Place de La République, Paris, 1986 , Untitled, 1986 , Untitled, 1986 , Priest from Quadrant, 1975 , Citroën, Paris, 1974

Ralph Gibson

Signed Ralph Gibson and dated 1974 and numbered 3/25 on verso. Gelatin silver print, image 23.5 x 15.5 cm.