Customer Reviews

National Geographic: The Photographs

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The strength of the photographs in National Geographic is that they are often gorgeously-shot and expertly composed by professionals who clearly know their craft. Their weakness is that their perfection sometimes masks a banality of subject matter and narrative, often sinking them beyond the level of illustration. "National Geographic: the Photographs" embodies both aspects of the magazine's photography.

While more than a few photos barely rise above the snapshot level, most are thoughtfully (if a bit too artfully) composed, though a few are absolutely standouts. Steve McCurry's haunting 1984 shot of Sharbat Gula, the green-eyed Afghan refugee girl, is the classic example. The girl's haunted expression speaks volumes about the hardships she has experienced. The photo graces the book's cover, while her updated portrait, shot 18 years later, adorns the back. Now a wife and mother, the same hauntedness appears in Gula's eyes, now encased in a face grown older and wearier. Another standout -- an overhead shot of camels traversing the wastes of Djibouti -- is disconcerting until one recognizes the camera's vantage point. The straightforward grace of some photos belies the difficulty with which they were taken. It takes only a second to flip past an underwater picture of an approaching hippo; but the photograph cannot capture the hours of patience and luck it took to take it.

"National Geographic: The Photographs" includes the expected pictures of wildlife, nature and human cultures from around the globe as well as several topical spreads -- Spain, sleep, and the Titanic. The book's large format helps many photos communicate the grandeur of their natural subjects. When the subject and composition coincide, the photographs are strikingly beautiful.

This is not just a coffee table picture book! This is a compilation of stories and pictures which you read page by page to get amazing world and cultural perspectives over the past 100 years. National Geographic did an great job compiling the most comprehensive set of photographs taken since the early 1900's. The book features breathtaking pictures of foreign lands, wildlife, people, etc. divided into sections which are narrated in story-like form. For examples, the first section in the book explores the history of photography and the role that the National Geographic played in the development of the technology and the art. I liked the story/photograph format and especially liked the mix of photograph size/style published. Overall, it's a great deal for the price!

A book of fantastic photography, it covers 25 years of work by National Geographic photographers. An oversized book (as it should be in order to appreciate the full beauty of the photography), it is organized into five parts: The Land, Underwater, Science, The United States and The World. Leave it out for guests to leaf through and enjoy because they will once they see it. Of course it is not all just pictures, if you've ever wondered about those photographers behind the pictures it includes informative comments about them and their achievements.

National Geographic, who has given us so much wonderful photography and printing now gives us a tiny book, printed in China by non craftsmen. I worked in the graphic arts all my working life (40 years) and this book is pathetic and the printing is just downright awful. Shame on NGS for sending something out the gate like this. This is a disgrace to the name and the cause, sorry but true! The photographers must be pretty down and upset after seeing their Kodachrome masters destroyed in this fashion. AWFUL! If this was the result of my graphic arts work, I would think about finding a new career. It did not even make a good gift! NGS - you are damaging your reputation with this example of printing!

I love National Geographic and its photos. This book is filled with great photos and descriptions but the book is really small.... I was thinking it would be more like a coffee table book which it would be if your coffee table is tiny. The print is small and I actually bought as a gift for my dad, but I'm not sure he'll be able to read much of it - even with his glasses.

So while I do like the photos, I should have paid more attention to the dimensions. I just really had never seen a photo book, especially a hard cover Nat Geo one, so small. And yes, it does say it's 8"x6" in the details but it just seems smaller, maybe because you want to see bigger images.

The cover caught my attention. Always been impressed by this picture. The size of the book was small. I had not paid attention to that when I made the purchase.

Pagina tras pagina, una experiencia, te hacer sentir, un gran libro, un trabajo sublime que uno amante de la fotografia no puede dejar pasar.
Lo recomiendo con lagrimas de felicidad

This book presents lots of photographs and they are always intriguing, always informative, always amazing which is what we are used to with National Geographic. Photography philosophy of the Society is well described in text and pictures and the photos are simply great, they are a mix of art and science just as geography itself is.

National Geographic is World renown for its in-depth reporting on various places and regions, and has for decades been the gold standard in reporting from the most distant corners of our Planet. It is also famous for its beautiful photographs, and this handy coffee table book is a collection of some of the most beautiful and memorable photos that have graced its pages over the years. The photo on the cover is that of the green-eyed Afghan refugee girl. The photo was taken in 1984 and for decades has been a symbol of the weariness and trepidation of the Afghan people, and all those affected by wars in general. The same girl was photographed eighteen years later, and this photograph graces the end cover. There are those same beautiful green eyes, but she looks older and one can imagine has not lead the easiest of lives. This is one of the most important messages that a book of photographs of distant peoples and lands can convey: to this day, hardship and struggle are the facts of daily life for the majority of people in this World, and no glossy photography will be able to glamorize this state of affairs. Hopefully, though, it will make us feel much more connected with the rest of humanity.

As a "learning" photographer, I find it helpful to study those who do this professionally. This is a most excellent book and just great as a table book. My dream is to work with National Geographic one day.