Joel Meyerowitz [Hardcover]

Colin Westerbeck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

It is as an early advocate of colour photography that Meyerowitz has had greatest influence, for he was instrumental in changing the attitude toward the use of colour from one of resistance to nearly universal acceptance. His subject matter altered from incidents on city streets shot with a small 35mm camera to the large format field photograph. Architecture, light and space, particularly at Cape Cod, acquired a new interest for him. After the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York, he was the only photographer granted unimpeded access to Ground Zero where he systematically documented the work of demolition and excavation, rescue and recovery. He has been awarded the title Photographer of the Year by the Friends of Photography, San Francisco. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has been exhibited and published worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colin Westerbeck is Curator of Photography at The Art Institute of Chicago and an award-winning critic and writer. His books include Bystander, A History of Street Photography, which he co-authored with Joel Meyerowitz. Author's Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; First Edition edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714845094
• ISBN-13: 978-0714845098
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than whatever Russ has to say about it., May 10, 2009

By 

J. Thurman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Joel Meyerowitz (Phaidon 55s) (Paperback)

Evidently the last reviewer's main claim to fame is making relative statements seem like objective ones. Certainly the words he used don't put him in the same class as regular smart people. Unfortunately, the last reviewer has added self-inflating comments to his review of the book.
The combination of useless opinions and self righteous babble will leave the reader with a feeling that taking the time to read his review was a mistake. Nice name though.

Joel Meyerowitz is in the same class as Gerry Winogrand, Robert Frank, and Cartier-Bresson, but his work is different. He was one of the first supporters of color photography when there was heavy resistance against it as a true art form. He paved the way for the wide spread acceptance of color as well as making the style of street photography more defined. Meyerowitz was the only photographer given unrestricted access to the aftermath of 9/11. Most people so highly regarded aren't just "mediocre," but rather his life as a photographer is very significant to the field and any photographer can learn something about their art through his story.

4 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the greatest, March 19, 2008

By 

Russell S. Lewis "Russ Lewis" (Manitou Springs, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Joel Meyerowitz (Hardcover)

Evidently Joel's main claim to fame is his relationship with Garry Winogrand. Certainly the photographs in this book don't put him in the same class as Winogrand or Winogrand's other contemporaries. Unfortunately, Joel has added self-congratulatory comments to the pictures in this book. The combination of mediocre photographs and unfortunate comments is likely to leave the reader with a feeling that adding this book to his photographic library was a mistake. Nice cover though.