Customer Reviews

Helmut Newton: Sumo

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I remember seeing the original version of Sumo at a Powell's bookstore and wanting it very much. I woulda, coulda, shoulda bought it but its huge size killed the deal; there was just no where that I could safely store it.
Thus, when I stumbled upon this book here on Amazon it took me all of 30 seconds to decide to pull the trigger. Why the hesitation? Primarily because it is a Taschen publication and I have been disappointed by the quality of nearly every Taschen book I have ever handled. This one, unfortunately, is no different, and I believe that I shall return it for a different and, said hopefully, better copy for that reason (One of the pages in my book has errant ink lines running up a quarter of the page from what looks like a roller). I also have a problem with Amazon for shipping me a book with a large tear in the custom made carrying case in which the book comes, by the way, indicating crappy quality control.
This is a an oversized folio book, large and heavy and imposing like the original in miniature. Its immensity indicates that it needed the space in order to do the photographic images justice. Well, I suppose that it does but the problem is that the plates are mealy looking, especially those in the front part of the book. I don't have the original to compare them to but I suspect that this granularity is due to poor reprodutions in the book and not from the original plates; although it is conceivable that the images lost some sharpness due to being blown up, but barely.
Instead, I would argue, based upon my experience with Taschen specifically and Printed in Italy artbooks generally that the fault lies in the Italian printers. These days the best art books are produced in Germany or Japan. Back in the old days it would have been France and in second place Switzerland and USA. Prestel seems to consistently do the best art books these days and it causes me to wonder what the book would have been like if published by them.
Anyway, you still ought to own this, I think, if you collect art books and you must own it if you collect art photography books.
While a lot of the images are seemingly banal or a bit facile, others have a quirky absurdity or stark profundity that cause one to really look twice at these images.
Interestingly, Newton's portraits are often absolutely brilliant. I think that the female Rolling Stone photographer whose name escapes me is generally the most reknowned portrait photographer but I think it would be tough to argue against Mr. Newton's genius.
His Hockney is sublime, among others, one of his Taylor portraits captures her genius/appeal completely, and actually there are a dozen portraits that seem to have completely captured the essential nature of his subjects (Marianne Faithful, Marie LePen). Others are just inexplicably fantastic (Warhol...hmmm one wonders if there was professional envy/competition between the two, and John Malchevic whose filmic nuttiness is captured perfectly). I could go on but you get the picture.
To be honest, I initially hoped and anticipated that the book would have a lot of this nudes because I can't think of another photographer who can put so much blatant sexuality into supposedly high fashion soft-core photographs. The overall quality of the non-nude pictures more than makes up for their absence.
If the book itself were of higher quality it would deserve five stars.

"Sumo" is a wonderful collection of the best of Helmut Newton's unique vision. Fortunately, this edition is not as large and heavy of the original edition about which the fascinating documentary film was made (it's worth renting the film to see). If this was the original edition("Helmet Newton's SUMO") it would be too big and too heavy for the coffee table and would need a special reinforced reading stand just to comfortably view the photographs. That original edition also had a hefty retail price in the $5,000 range. That original edition is now selling for $14,000 new and $9,353 used. This edition is actually a much more practical photographic book. And it won't collapse most people's coffee table. It's also a bargain price-wise.
Helmut Newton had a fascinating life and his autobiography/memoir ("Newton Helmut: Autobiography") is also an amazing read. (Feel free to read my Amazon Review of that volume). It's great because the book documents his escape from Nazi Berlin and his flight around the world to escape the Nazi Death Squads. He obviously did escape but only because he became a nomadic gigolo and that tale (no pun) provides glimpses into the famous photographer's personality. It helps the reader understand why every Jew living in Germany didn't immediately flee the country before it was too late for millions of them.
The biography also tells the stories behind many of the photos in "Sumo." Now that "Sumo" is available at a reasonable price, every serious fan or collector of Newton's work needs to add it to their collection. Ditto for his "Autobiography" if a copy can be located.

I've never forgiven myself for not biting the bullet and snapping up the original Sumo book at what is now a rediculously cheap price. Thank you June Newton for making most of my pain (envy) go away. Your Sumo Lite version punches way above it's weight. Helmut Newton's images are so powerful they really don't need size to impress. Every image is a tribute to his unique ability to empower women, to make them look strong, in control, never making them appear vulnerable or weak. If anything, he, as the photographer, looked like the one being manipulated, directed, being told the way the women liked to be portrayed. And only a master can pull off that kind of magic.

It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the Taschen art book house set the world of book publishing on its ear with the publication of the world's largest mass production book, `Sumo' by Helmut Newton. The 66 pound, 20 by 27.5 inch book was originally issued as a signed, limited edition volume complete with its own chrome viewing stand designed by modern artist Philippe Starck.

Now, upon the 10th anniversary of it's publication, comes `Sumo' the coffee table sized edition for those who either couldn't afford the $10,000 first edition or for who (like us) the massive original was just too unwieldy to manage for ease of viewing. Either way, `Sumo' is back and it exists to showcase and celebrate what is undoubtedly one of the world's premiere photographers and his most famous sexy, edgy, (largely) black and white work.

Newton, who died in a car accident outside Hollywood's legendary Chateau Marmont hotel shortly after the book's original publication, was beyond compare when it came to his stark and somewhat controversial portraits of the world's rich and famous as well as many of the world's top models and even downright ordinary people. `Sumo' captures all of Newton's most famous photographs including subjects such as Princess Caroline, Brigitte Neilsen, Salvador Dali, Iman, David Bowie (separately), David Lynch and Isabella Rossellini (together) Nicholas Cage, Darryl Hannah and countless others. His oft-times German (and even Nazi) influenced, S&M images of models from Hollywood to Paris remain as strikingly vibrant and cutting edge as they were when originally shot. The full page and double truck layout of the photos add to the dramatic impact in both versions as well.

In preparation for this smaller, coffee table edition, the makers (presumably June Newton) went back and reviewed each of the photo pages to see if any improvements could be made. The result are a relatively small number of substitute photos (Winnie on Deck, Cannes or Romy Schneider, for example) or alternative takes usually just a few frames apart from the original shot selection. The main pros and cons are basically that the new version is immensely easier to view than the poster size original, while the impact of the larger format pages is somewhat lost, especially on the double truck photos which are nearly larger than life in the first edition.

Overall, the price tag is probably the great equalizer. Now, for the first time, the brilliance of `Sumo' is available to the masses. After a ten year wait that may be the best news of all. Either way, this is easily one of the most impressive photo art books ever assembled. While the stand and weight add to the aura of majesty, `Sumo' stands on it's own as one of the greatest art books ever. Yes, ever.

My art collector girlfriend bought the original which is how I came to know of its existence! I loved it from the start. But there was never any question I'd be able to afford the original, so was delighted to discover this affordable version. Two other girlfriends have gone on to buy the smaller version like me. Great value for money, and it comes with a little perspex stand. Classic images, and great coffee table book if you like B&W/fashion photography.

I arrived home yesterday evening to find this large US Post bag. I was at a loss to remember what I had ordered from overseas. It turned out to be my order from Amazon for Helmut Newton - Sumo. I was so suprised at it's size and weight. For some reason I expected a much smaller version. The work is magnificent and as an amateur photographer it gives me some great ideas for my future work. I agree with the another review about the quality of the photographs but for the price, I think it is excellent value. I am impressed how quicky the book came from Amazon to Australia - I was told it would be the middle of October but I received it on the 30th of September.

Yes, its true, Taschen production qualities are not the best in the industry. But, I'm very happy I have this copy of the book, because if not for Taschen, I would not own it at all. The price of the original is out of my reach, and I'm sure out of most people's.

If you want a copy of Sumo, and can't afford the original, I would say go for it; for me it was worth the price.

this book is amazing!
what can I say about this man of genius? I will miss Helmut Newton forever!
thanks to the editor for offering us this SUMO 'affordable' edition it is a joy for the eyes and a never ending discover of Helmut' wonderful and sensual world.
I cannot stop myself to explore the pages and incredible stories that every picture hide in itself.
I absolutely recommend this book, how could anyone live without it???

The book is amazing. It is a definite must have in any photography book collection. Even though this is the "light" version of the book, it is still quite impressive. Still, the packaging for international shipping (I'm located in Mexico) was not the best for a product this size. The book arrived slightly bent in one corner. Not a show stopper, but it was annoying to have such a magnificent piece slightly damaged. This is the second time that large scale items sent from Amazon have arrived with minor bumps. I have never had problems with regular sized books. I would no doubt order this book again from Amazon since the savings are better than the damage suffered, but be warned.
As for the quality of the pictures, it is simply and without a doubt worth the price. Could the print be better - yes it could; for the price paid, it is a good balance.

"Sumo," even in this affordable edition, provides a beautiful retrospective of a major portion of Newton's work, curated by his wife. Simply as an object, this massive edition command attention. Way over-sized and thick, it promises an intense experience in enjoyment of photography.

It delivers. In fact, it delivers more than I have good words to describe. A fair part of Newton's work went to Playboy and other glamor outlets - venues that display women's beauty with little regard for the woman herself. Even so, the cover photo exemplifies the contradiction that Newton captured so often: the model as generic but unique, womanly but powerful, fashionable but animal. His diptychs might capture that sense best: one scene with some set of models fashionably clad, then the same scene with the same models fashionably unclad.

Although Newton made great use of his models' lines and strength, his photos respect the woman in front of the lens. They capture her strength and elegance at the same time they record her high-heeled glamor. It makes for a complex mix, but one that I never find uneasy. Any collection of twentieth century figure photo needs to acknowledge this remarkable artist and his collaborators on the other side of the lens. This book might be the finest way to represent his work.

-- wiredweird