Since it was first developed by Daguerre in the 1840s, photography has followed an interesting and varied course in its progress from a practical means of documentation to an art form with its own icons, heroes, galleries and collectors. This eye-catching and engrossing book contains every sort of photography, all of it arranged in an easily accessible and fun format. Pictures of famous events such as the Royal Wedding and the first landing on the moon are here, next to familiar shots by the masters of photography such as Bill Brandt, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Cecil Beaton and Robert Doisneau. There is fashion, sport, natural history, reportage and society portraiture, as well as social documentary and art. The 500 photographers features range from William Henry Fox Talbot and Julia Margaret Cameron to Larry Clarke and Herb Rittz, from Robert Capa and Josef Kondelka to Nan Goldin and Pierre et Gilles. Arranged alphabetically, each full-page photograph is accompanied by an illuminating text which gives useful insight into the work and its creator, as well as extensive cross-references to others working in the same field or the same style. Glossaries of technical terms and movements and a directory of museums and galleries are included in the back of the book to provide a fully comprehensive and self-contained volume.
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The concept for this book is simple: 500 photographers, 500 pages. Arranged alphabetically, each of the photographers--from contemporary Dutch cameraman Hans Aarsman to mid-century New York shutterbug James Van Der Zee--gets a full, oversized page. On it is a large, expertly reproduced image and a concise caption packed with information about the photographer and his or her work. The coincidental alignment of photos of different eras and aesthetic sensibilities provides unusual and exciting contrasts that add an extra dimension to readers' perception of the work. Rineke Dijkstra's color-saturated shot of a bikini-clad beachgoer in South Carolina faces a Mike Disfarmer portrait of a rural Arkansas couple in 1943. Imogen Cunningham's inimitable Nude is here, along with a more surprising image--My Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, a color-photo collage by painter David Hockney. With iconic photographs like Alfred Eisenstaedt's shot of a sailor and a nurse kissing in Times Square on V-J Day, historic ones like Larry Burrows's shot of wounded U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, and pop images like David LaChapelle's picture of a bodybuilder posing amid a cluster of little boys aping his stance, the scope of this visual encyclopedia is truly epic. And with its incredibly low price tag, there's no better value out there for fans of photography.
Review
'outstanding' Rebecca Wilson, Art Review, October 2004 'Knowing more about photobooks than anyone else I can think of, Gerry Badger and Martin Parr are the ideal authors of the first compendium of the subject. - Badger writes beautifully and passionately [ - ] from a standpoint of immense knowledge and, unlike so many, avoids pretentiousness, conceit and jargon. - Parr [ - ] has an intuitive nose both for originality and for pictures transcending the mediocre. - He has done us all a favour in exploring this virgin terrain and it is fair to say that nobody else could have exhibited such stamina and ardour for the chase.' David Lee, Ag, International Journal of Photographic Art & Practice, Autumn 2004 'If ever there was a labour of love, this is it: a massive survey that instantly takes its place as a kind of meta-summation of the history it recounts.' Geoff Dyer, V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum, London) magazine, December 2004 'presents an intelligently critical, highly detailed, carefully considered and illustrated account of the most significant and influential publications of this kind to date. - succinct, informative text - A bibliophile's treasure-trove destined to become a definitive work of reference - [The Photobook] breaks new ground, offering an object lesson on the whole evolution of the art of photography.' The Art Newspaper, February 2005 'incredibly interesting - the reproductions instil a terrible longing to hold the real thing.' Sally O'Reilly, Time Out, February 2005
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By S. R. Melly
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This wonderful wonderful book has inspired me many times during my college years. Containing an image from almost every great photographer since the first photographs were produced, and countless contemporary artists, it is sure to offer something to warm, amuse, shock and amaze you everytime you turn the page.
I would most definately reccomend this book to any students, professionals, or those with a keen interest in the medium to buy this book, as it will serve you for many years to come!
I would most definately reccomend this book to any students, professionals, or those with a keen interest in the medium to buy this book, as it will serve you for many years to come!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. Bojan Tunguz
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is a handy and instructive introduction to some of the most memorable or famous names in photography. Photography is a relatively young art form, and most of the photographs in this collection were taken in the twentieth century. The book consists of small snippets of information about five hundred photographs and the photographers who took them. Many of the photographs deal with an important event in history (like the landing on the Moon) and have become iconic in their own right. Some photographs can be disturbing, and the viewer discretion is advised.
This is a very handy and accessible way of getting to know some famous photographers and learning about the art of photography. However, a book of this scope has its share of limitations. Aside from not being able to learn more than a few sentences about each photo or photo technique, the format of the book is rather small (the book is only 5 by 6 1/2 inches) and it doesn't do the fool justice to many of the most amazing photographs that are presented herein. The font of the text is also very small, and I find myself squinting in order to be able to read it. Nonetheless, the book is a very useful resource and I would recommend it as a convenient handbook of modern artistic photography.
This is a very handy and accessible way of getting to know some famous photographers and learning about the art of photography. However, a book of this scope has its share of limitations. Aside from not being able to learn more than a few sentences about each photo or photo technique, the format of the book is rather small (the book is only 5 by 6 1/2 inches) and it doesn't do the fool justice to many of the most amazing photographs that are presented herein. The font of the text is also very small, and I find myself squinting in order to be able to read it. Nonetheless, the book is a very useful resource and I would recommend it as a convenient handbook of modern artistic photography.
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book shows the best examples of the variety of ways people use their cameras. It shows that you don't need to follow in the footsteps of the masters to get great photos and the great images can be of any subject. The'documenting' photographs, such as the first landing on the moon and the murder of a judge, show a moment in time that is unique and saved on film forever. Photography is not about the great technical skills of Ansel Adams of the ways of capturing human emotion like Bill Brandt, but about capturing a persons view of the world, which all of the photographers in the book have done. Vital in anybodies book collection even if photography doesn't interest them. It's an wonderful example of how we should all stop and take time out to view the world we live in, in a different way. Especially as the mini version is avaliable.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent bok, to be inspired by. The pocket format is thou too small. The text is very small, almost not readable and the book is to thick for the pocket format. Buy the larger one!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Sandy
Format:Paperback
Great book for student and hobby photographers. The selection of images introduces the reader to a variety of work by famous and unknown photographers. Good starting point for more in-depth exploration of photographers' work.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book includes some classic photos mixed in with the extra ordinary . The use of text is particulally strong as it helps to solve the meaning of certain photos.The book has many strong points but one bad point is that you can't fit it into your pocket to read on the way to work!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book was purchased to help my daughter do her A Level photography course - very helpful
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Justin Scott
Format:Hardcover
When so many photographic books are on technique and equipment, The Photography Book is a refreshing overview of the pictorial aspect of photography. As essential book in any library.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Condition - used very good
in a word Bollocks!! - a more fitting description would have been each piece used and okay, the book and cover came in two seperate pieces
Published 1 month ago by Mark Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential
Essential for quick and easy research into traditional and contemporary photographers, need an updated one though, or at least one with more modern photographers!
Published 1 month ago by Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm certainly not an expert. But I enjoy looking through this book.
This seems to be a good selection of photographs and I enjoy looking through the book. I think this would be good for experts and newcomers but I'm a newcomer so I cant be sure. :)
Published 3 months ago by Adam Stacey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Big chunky book
Not a bad book full of various types of pictures with lots of detail.
Bigger then i expected i only thought the book would be quite small. Read more
Bigger then i expected i only thought the book would be quite small. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Angie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The survival kit photo book
Little but strong, this book is a bible to know best photographers with an analysis of one of them most famous photograph.
Published 4 months ago by Bigault
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great reference
500 photographers in alphabetical order with a short, sometimes too interpretive, description. A good reference. I recommend the large format.
Published 5 months ago by Firedrake
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice photo book!
As being a big fan of photography in general and a passionate photographer myself I got this photo book as a present. Read more
Published 9 months ago by reviewsahoy
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's good, albeit a bit small.
I honestly think that this book is just too small, the writing is very small and I strained to read it after a while even though I was wearing my glasses. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Dan M. Littlewood
2.0 out of 5 stars
Such a tiny book - does anyone want to see photos so small?
Nice little book as long as you realise the book is tiny and the photos are half the size of a postcard. That can be so hard to discern when ordering from Amazon!
Published 21 months ago by Gary Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Photo Book
Needed for sons photography A Level Course. Some excellent pictures inside produced by various photographers and artists. Very good value for money. The book is quite weighty.
Published 21 months ago by Mre C. A. Steinwaltz
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