Richard Avedon is one of the most influential photographers of the second half of the 20th century. His portrait work comprises an authoritative record of the era and, as a staff photographer of "Harper's Bazaar" and later for "Vogue", Avedon redefined what a fashion photograph is. With uncompromising directness, Avedon portrayed his subjects against a white background, with no extraneous details to distract from tthe essential specificity of face, gaze, dress and gesture. His work includes mesmerizing images of Truman Capote, Willem de Kooning, Samuel Beckett, Francis Bacon and Marily Monroe, as well as of the uncelebrated Americans of his project "In the American West". Spanning Richard Avedon's entire career, starting from the late 1940s, this volume offers a selection of his photographic portraits. It is published to accompany a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By D. Stoddart
Format:Hardcover
Despite the innovative presentation, the book is not bound but instead opens into one long folded page with text on one side and photographs on the other, this book was a letdown.
The text is well written and a worthwhile read but ultimately one buys a book by Avedon for the images and here one can only be disappointed. The paper is like the cardboard that comes with a new shirt and does not do the photographs justice. There is no depth and detail suffers as well. With better paper and printing this book could be a winner.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I have steadily grown to admire Richard Avedon over the past few years and have been lucky enough to have seen some of his oversized prints in the flesh in both London and New York. Unfortunatley his books are usually very expensive, but this one is affordable. Whilst the quality of print is not top notch it is more than adequate and I like the unusual layout (it folds out concertina fashion). If you like his portrait style you won't be dissapointed.
By marcopolo
Format:Hardcover
I am writing this review because I feel the other two authors of reviews have missed a Key point of this book.
Yes, it folds out rather than being bound because:
it was published to coincide with an exhibition and the prints are laid out in the same order...
allowing the owner of the book to "open it out" and have some of the experience that was intended by the exhibition.
By necessity therefore the quality of the paper used is different to a normal book to give it the strength needed to be fully opened out.
The text is fascinating and gives a good insight into the concepts and minds of one of the twentieth centuries iconic photographers.
the idea behind the white background was to strip the sitter of any props or moral support, leaving "them" , and allowing Avedon to try and capture the true essence of his subject. This is beautifully shown in Beckett's awkwardness in front of the camera, as opposed to Hockney, who understood and knew only too well the importance of the camera, and plays to it like a master himself.
this is a style of photography that has so often been copied but seldom understood by those who tried to copy.
if you are a photographer, especially a portrait photographer I would urge you to buy a copy. be prepared to be challenged when you get it. but give it a chance and READ it as well as look at it. you will come to love it.
this book has for gone from becoming a head scratcher to one of my favorites.
There is little arguing in the brilliance and integrity that Avedon showed us all.
Yes, it folds out rather than being bound because:
it was published to coincide with an exhibition and the prints are laid out in the same order...
allowing the owner of the book to "open it out" and have some of the experience that was intended by the exhibition.
By necessity therefore the quality of the paper used is different to a normal book to give it the strength needed to be fully opened out.
The text is fascinating and gives a good insight into the concepts and minds of one of the twentieth centuries iconic photographers.
the idea behind the white background was to strip the sitter of any props or moral support, leaving "them" , and allowing Avedon to try and capture the true essence of his subject. This is beautifully shown in Beckett's awkwardness in front of the camera, as opposed to Hockney, who understood and knew only too well the importance of the camera, and plays to it like a master himself.
this is a style of photography that has so often been copied but seldom understood by those who tried to copy.
if you are a photographer, especially a portrait photographer I would urge you to buy a copy. be prepared to be challenged when you get it. but give it a chance and READ it as well as look at it. you will come to love it.
this book has for gone from becoming a head scratcher to one of my favorites.
There is little arguing in the brilliance and integrity that Avedon showed us all.
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