Photographs, 1970-1990

So many photos and images you are immediately familiar with. Quality great. Highly recommend

wonderful

I wanted to write a review about this book because each time I open it I am surprised anew by what is revealed. Even in photographs I have looked at a zillion times of people who I have known well. You can never tire of this book.When I got to this page to write the review I read what Donald Mitchell has written and agreed with every line. He has captured what Annie shows in her photos into words. I do not think that I can do better justice to her work than he has so I recommend that you read his review and buy this book.What I will say for those of you who may not be familiar with her photographgs is that as a child I wanted more than anything for her to snap me and my friends. This has got to be the ultimate endorsement for her talent. Celebrities willingly sacrifice themselves to her to have her work her magic and free their spirits, and yet little girls growing up in the back streets of California wanted to be immortalised by her as well.A true master.

Ok, first thing I will say is I bought this book for £8.31 second hand, so the book was an exceptionally good deal. The second thing I will say is whilst I do like Annie Leibovitz work, she is not my favourite photographer, particularly her earlier work.The book itself is very well presented, with what looks like tracing paper used as the dust cover. The book itself is much bigger than the dimensions given, with my copy being 28.58 x 1.91 x 33.02 cm, which for me is about the perfect size for a coffee table book. The paper used is of good quality and the book is well put together.As I said, I am not the biggest fan of her earlier work and this book is very much split. into more documentary style photography and portrait photography. The images are good, don't get me wrong but there are other photographers who's work, stand out more.Unlike Annie Leibovitz later books, which often cover a double page spread, many of the images in this book take up a single page or half page. The book does have some double page spreads, which I always find annoying because, it just ruins the image.Over all a good book, which many will love.

Seeing so many celebrity photographs from the beginning of Ms. Leibovitz's career unveils many of the most effective methods that she uses to create her deep insights into the subject of the portrait. Although you may feel the subtlety of her work viscerally, these comparisons make it easier to appreciate the purposefulness of how the effects are brilliantly captured. If you are like me, this book will enhance your already deep appreciation of her work.Before going into all the reasons I like this book, let me mention that the book contains tasteful nudity and sexual situations that would probably cause an R rating for a motion picture (or possibly something a bit stronger, like an R plus). Many parents would be uncomfortable with some of their children seeing these images. So judge the appropriateness of this wonderful book for your own family.First, Ms. Leibovitz is looking for the soul of the person. Who are they at the core? This is captured by establishing a composition that overtly expresses this inner kernel of truth. For Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold, this is captured by mud wrestling. For Muhammad Ali, you see a fully confident, capable man fully comfortable with himself and the world.Second, she captures the subject's personality with posing and expression within the composition. Whoopi Goldberg's playfulness is captured by a composition that has little bits of her beautiful blackness emerging from a milk bath, with a characteristicly wry, happy smile.Third, she shows the social mask that the subject uses. Lily Tomlin's face poses behind a television set image. Diane Keaton is shown wandering around with her face averted from the camera to capture her preference for privacy and appearance of shyness. Keith Haring appears wearing nothing but his painted on designs.Fourth, she connects her subject to another person where that helps to establish part of the person's reality. John Lennon appears in foetal position with Yoko Ono, in that famous image from this book's cover. The Rolling Stones are literally flying through the air at the same time while performing. The Grateful Dead are asleep on each other's shoulders. Interestingly, she is usually able to do this with a humorous, light touch that dispells some of the celebrity power of the person.Fifth, she lets a little slip in composure or a little blemish show where that adds to the underlying reality. Louis Armstrong looks scared in one classic portrait pose, while totally relaxed and in control in a less formal setting. Mick Jagger's partially healed scar is shown in another image. Jodie Foster puts on an intelligent expression that shows the Yale graduate rather than the young female star.Sixth, she captures motion in ways that give the kinesthetics of the person and situation wonderfully. For example, a group of prisoners and family members hug at Soledad Prison in California at Christmas in 1971. You see many different relationships in this one image. It's like a microcosm of all humanity.Here are my favorite images:John Lennon, New York City, 1970Louis Armstrong, Queens, New York, 1971Christmas, 1971, Soledad Prison, CaliforniaThe Grateful Dead, San Rafael, California, 1971Ray Charles, San Francisco, 1972Lily Tomlin, Los Angeles, 1973Richard Pryor, Los Angeles, 1974Andy Warhol, New York City, 1976Tennessee Williams, Key West, Florida, 1974Ron Kovic, Santa Monica, California, 1973The Rolling Stones, Philadelphia, 1975Brian Wilson, Malibu, California, 1976Muhammad Ali, Chicago, 1978Robert Penn Warren, Fairfield, Connecticut, 1980John Lennon and Yoko Ono, New York City, December 8, 1981Greg Louganis, Los Angeles, 1984Bruce Springsteen, Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1987Whoopi Goldberg, Berkeley, California, 1984Twyla Tharp, New York City, 1989Michael Jackson, Los Angeles, 1989Mikhail Baryshnikov, New York City, 1989After you have enjoyed the book, I suggest that you make a drawing that does a similar unveiling of someone you know well. You might even consider a self-portrait. Ms. Leibovitz says those are the hardest to do.Look deeply into those all around you and see the truth . . . as well as the fictions.

The book showcases the core of the artistic production of our times' most influential portrait photographer, it's a must have!

I bought this "used" from an Amazon seller who described it as being in "very good" condition. Although there is superficial damage to the jacket it seems like no one ever opened to book previously as it had that new book feel and smell. I am very happy with this purchase although it would have been even better had it beed signed as indicated in the headline.

Prodotto quasi nuovo, consegna ultra rapida

Super livre de photographie d'Annie Leibovitz, je l'avais loupé à sa sortie quel dommage. C'est un must have

Unfortunately when I received the book there were two pages missed as if someone had torn them out.The seller should have said that to me. I wouldn't have bought the book as that.I feel cheated.

Great book, great service!