Customer Reviews

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Scrapbook

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have liked HCB for about six years. I first saw his picture where a man, caught in mid-air,jumps across a puddle. I still think that this is one of the best photographs ever made.
In the scrapbook, the reader gets to see the many different shots, that made up the bundle from which one image got selected to be published.
While quite a few of the images not selected have their own charm, the finally published image does usually stand. A great look behind the scene of HCB photos, but also a great visual retrospective of his life.
Excellent book with superbly printed photographs.

At first view it was very strange to see such tiny (9X12 cm) photos at large pages.Then you become to realize the author's plan to merge you into the world of HCB and you live his life reading this book as if with your pocket full of those small scrap pictures. Very recommended

Armen

Imagine an artist's everyday life in Nazi-occupied Paris, where he was surrounded by violence and the constant threat of violence, where his creative genius (expressed through the lens of a 1932 Leica camera) would produce scrapbook pictures that were literally smuggled from his pocket into our 21st century hands.

You don't need to be deeply enamored of Henri Cartier-Bresson to be awakened by the stunning impact of this collection.

Regrettably, those who find the book a disappointment (because of photos that are much smaller than a full page) are missing the point.

For a photographer, one of the few necessary books. HCB enacted a miracle in the 1930s w/his Leica, and here's the record of how this genius did it--a record that makes his accomplishment seem only that much more extraordinary. I think the printing of the book could have been a shade better, but that's mere grousing. If you want to understand late 20th-century photography, start here.

A very, very nice collection of HCB. It borders on coffee table and usable academic text but then I don't think the publisher ever intended this to be an academic representation. It is very well illustrated with some large and rare photographs. HCB had a large influence on me and I have loads of information. This book I thought of as more fluff when I purchased it. It has however turned out to be one of my main HCB sources.

One of the most profound books to come out from such an eminent photographer. Long due and much awaited. You can never get tired of looking at his work.

Most photos are much smaller than a full page - I returned this book.