Odd Jobs; Portraits of Unusual Occupations

Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 2002. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. ancy Rica Schiff (Jacket Photography) and Joyce Ru. [6], 135, [3] pages. Illustrations. Index. Body Piercer, Bugler, Condom Tester, Mohel, Colonics, Foley Artist, Cosmetologist, Anesthetist, Ocularist, Performer, Roller Coaster, Semen, Venom Extractor, Solfeggist, Wax Figures. There is minor wear to the edges of the dust jacket and hardcover. Nancy Rica Schiff is a published and exhibited photographer based in New York City. Nancy Rica Schiff's job as a photographer doesn't exactly land her in the offbeat career category, but it has opened her eyes to less than traditional professions. Schiff's book Odd Jobs, Portrait of Unusual Occupations, is the classic case of a photographer dealing with years of publisher rejections before finally getting a contract and discovering success. As it often happens, the project had a serendipitous beginning. In 1989 while photographing at the Hollywood Race Track in California, Schiff noticed a strange-looking character on the track at the end of every race. "I discovered that his job was to time the races and I thought to myself, not too many people set out to become race timers!'' Schiff said via email. "That got me thinking about other unusual jobs and traveling around the country to find them." Schiff combed the country capturing the eccentric among us through black-and-white photography. "My criteria for odd was simple: There had to be a twist of some sort," explained Schiff. "Perhaps there was a gender reversal for example, a male bra designer or a young man testing tampons. Or perhaps the job dealt with death or a forbidden but funny subject—or maybe the job was performed by only one person on earth." Who blows the bugle at the Kentucky Derby? Who dusts the dinosaur bones at the Smithsonian? Who sniffs dog breath for a living? Who measures the breasts of real models? ODD JOBS introduces you to the real people who perform these truly peculiar jobs. In 65 intimate portraits, photo essayist Nancy Rica Schiff captures the personalities and occupations of these oddball professionals, providing a short profile of each. A 20-year photography veteran, Schiff has spent the better half of that time discovering the behind-the-scenes people who do what others can't (or won't) do. No one can say that America isn't the home of the free, the brave, and the quirky, who will do almost anything to make an honest buck.· Profiles 65 of the most unique jobs in America.· Jobs include duck walker, coin polisher, doll doctor, and artificial inseminator.