LeRoy Grannis: Surf Photography Of The 1960s & 1970s (25) [Hardcover]

Steve Barilotti (Author), Jim Heimann (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010 | Series: 25

Capturing the perfect wave

"Grannis' [...] book has the effect of a time capsule, bringing back an era that continues to resonate for us in shades of Technicolor and black and white." — Los Angeles Times Book Review

At a time when surfing is more popular than ever, it's fitting to look back at the years that brought the sport into the mainstream. Developed by Hawaiian islanders over five centuries ago, surfing began to peak on the mainland in the 1950s—becoming not just a sport, but a way of life, admired and exported across the globe. One of the key image-makers from that period is LeRoy Grannis, a surfer since 1931, who began photographing the scene in California and Hawaii in the longboard era of the early 1960s.

First published in a limited edition, which sold out instantly on publication, this new edition showcases Grannis's most vibrant work—from the bliss of catching the perfect wave at San Onofre to dramatic wipeouts at Oahu's famed North Shore. An innovator in the field, Grannis suction-cupped a waterproof box to his board, enabling him to change film in the water and stay closer to the action than other photographers of the time. He also covered the emerging surf lifestyle, from "surfer stomps" and hoards of fans at surf contests to board-laden woody station wagons along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is in these iconic images that a sport still in its adolescence embodied the free-spirited nature of an era—a time before shortboards and celebrity endorsements, when surfing was at its bronzed best.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Grannis' [...] book has the effect of a time capsule, bringing back an era that continues to resonate for us in shades of Technicolor and black and white." - Los Angeles Times Book Review "When most surf photographers were shooting from the beach with telephoto lenses, LeRoy Grannis was living the sport. His action shots capture the kinetic exhilaration of the waves." - Men's Health, New York"

From the Publisher

This collection, drawn from Grannis's personal archives, showcases an impressive selection of surf photographs--from the bliss of catching the perfect wave at San Onofre to dramatic wipeouts at Oahu's famed North Shore. An innovator in the field, Grannis suction-cupped a waterproof box to his board, enabling him to change film in the water and stay closer to the action than other photographers of the time. Equally notable is his work covering an emerging surf lifestyle, from "surfer stomps" and hoards of fans at surf contests to board-laden woody station wagons along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is in these iconic images that a sport still in its adolescence embodied the free-spirited nature of an era--a time before shortboards and celebrity endorsements, when surfing was at its bronzed best. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Taschen; 25 Anv edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3836523973
• ISBN-13: 978-3836523974
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 1.2 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Sports

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars His best stuff isn't in this book. May 31, 2007

By Wave Hog

Format:Hardcover

It depends on what you're looking for. Yes there are many pages of nice photos of SoCal 1960s beach culture, and lots of pages are taken up with the surfmag ads Grannis shot, for boards and boardshorts. But I was hoping for and expected the majority of the photos to be of SURFING! There are surf photos but not enough. Plus I was expecting to see certain awesome photos Grannis took, Johnnie Fain in a radical bottom turn at overhead Malibu, Dora hanging five, Butch Van Artsdalen flying down a bitchin' big Pipeline wall on a longboard; classic stuff and the very best of Grannis. Unfortunately not a single one of those shots are in the book. They ARE available on his website, for sale in collections of 9 for the absurd price of between $3000 and $7000!!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a wonderful reminder of Leroy. May 13, 2009

By J. Lees

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I see the book on the coffee table it will always remind me of the days spent windsurfing with Leroy and talking about photography and surfing. I grew up on Tourmaline street in Pacific Beach and this book takes me back to another time. It's a historical document that is appreciated by geezer surfers like myself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Photos by A Legend October 3, 2011

By Jon S.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Leroy Grannis was one of the surfing world's most superb photographers and had been a surfer since the 1930s. He recently died in CA at the age of 93. His images are crisp, clear and colourful. More importantly they evoke nostalgia for an innocent era, a time when surfing was pure fun, less commericalized, and less competitive than today. Even when there were competitions they were more for love of the sport than for big cash purses and TV celebrity appearances. Grannis' work is worth every penny.