Autoportrait: Martin Parr (2000)

For the last few years, when on assignment, Martin Parr has had his picture taken by a local studio photographer, or street photographer, or in a photo booth. The resulting portraits range from pictures taken in elaborate studio sets reminiscent of the heyday of the Victorian studio photographer, through to digitally manipulated images of Parr as Mr. Universe, as well as images horrendously re-touched in the studio’s efforts to flatter Parr and make him appear twenty years younger. As with all Parr’s projects the book is not only hilarious but also raises broader issues of identity and self, questioning the whole notion of the photographic portrait. Condition: very good.