cover image Hamburger Eyes: Inside Burgerworld

Hamburger Eyes: Inside Burgerworld

. Miss Rosen Editions, $35 (0pp) ISBN 978-1-57687-407-3

This fierce, moving collection of black and white images from underground photography magazine Hamburger Eyes (founded 2002) is proof positive that Diane Arbus's artistic descendents are alive, well and snapping photographs in a dark alley near you. Featuring the edgiest work of a gritty, gutsy group (including magazine founder Potes, Ted Pushinsky, Matt Weber and fellow PowerHouse author Boogie), this important volume demonstrates the new generation's sharp eye for everyday tragedy, irony and flat-out comedy. Each photographer has his own areas of interest-amputees, brawlers, distressed nightclub-goers, graffiti-but the faces of the poor, drug-ravaged and down-trodden are ultimately the most affecting. The magazine bills itself as ""the continuing story of life on earth,"" and these thought-provoking photographs deliver-though ""life on earth"" in this case means, for the most part, city-life on earth. A decidedly macho streak is at work throughout-notably, no female photographers are included-and there's barely any text to speak of (in a parting letter, Potes refers not to readers but ""viewers""). Still, those riding the pop culture zeitgeist just left of the mainstream-think fans of HE or Vice magazines-will delight in these full-bleed shots; don't be surprised if you can't look away.