Josef Koudelka (Photofile) [Paperback]

Josef Koudelka (Photographer), Bernard Cuau (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Photofile | Publication Date: April 30, 2007

The classic Photofile series brings together the best work of the world's greatest photographers in an attractive format and at a reasonable price.

Handsome and collectible, the books are produced to the highest standards. Each volume contains full-page reproductions printed in superb duotone, together with a critical introduction and a full bibliography. Now back in print, the series was awarded the first annual prize for distinguished photographic books by the International Center of Photography.

Born in Czechoslovakia in 1938, Koudelka left the country in 1968 and was awarded asylum in England. He had already produced two first-class reportages, one on the Prague Spring and its aftermath and the other on gypsy communities in Romania. This book confirms and illustrates Koudelka's powerful gift for exposing conditions in the European social, political, and physical landscape. 66 duotone illustrations

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Cuau (1935 - 1995) was a writer on and teacher of photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500410836
• ISBN-13: 978-0500410837
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicler of the Last Vestiges of Pre-Modern Europe, June 20, 2009

By 

Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Josef Koudelka (Photofile) (Paperback)

The Czech photogrpaher, Josef Koudelka is the great chronicler of the last prockets of pre-modern Europe. His work combines ethnography, photojournalism and the sensibilities of a great landscape painter. Unfortunately, many of his photo collections are expensive and difficult to find. The Photofile series were originally published in France with the purpose of serving as a reasonably priced introduction to the great photographers of the Twentieth Century. This volume on Josef Koudelka provides a wide selection of his best works. Both the quality of the paper and printing are first class. This book is a great value. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice handy book, March 16, 2008

By 

Evgeniy Yurevich (Moscow, Russia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Josef Koudelka (Photofile) (Paperback)

I bought this book having purpose to get acquainted with work of Josef Koudelka. The book fits my needs: it has 66 probably most famous Koudelkas photographs.

The photographer is introduced by Berbard Cuau in 4 pages, I found the text is really worse reading to understand something about Koudelka's specific vision.

This book is nice printed and accurate designed. All photographs provided with date and a country name, where they were taken. Shortcoming: I don't completely understand the order in which photograph's are located, neither by the date, nor by the place.

The book is really handy, but it is not a defect for me - it was made to quickly review Koudelka's works and to make people understand if they are interested in this photographer. And in that case they can spend more time and money and buy one of that huge serious albums.

I give this book 4 starts because I was a bit disappointed: there is no "toughtful 12-page essay by Anna Farova that introduces Koudelka's pictures, as well as the 24-page transcription of a conversation between Josef Koudelka and a fellow Czech journalist" as I expected after reading comments at Amazon. There is only 4-page introduction and a short biography and bibliography of the photographer.

4.0 out of 5 stars koudelka, May 20, 2011

By 

betty - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Josef Koudelka (Photofile) (Paperback)

As for doing a large presentation and project on him, I did not like that the book had no sense of order when it came to his pictures. I had 4 different books, a few websites and a few collaborated books with koudelka in them and I still could not figure out how the pictures were placed. Although this small book had the most pictures I needed to see! I thought it was completely worth buying, especially for the price.