One of the all-time greats, Elliott Erwitt is a master whose photographs have defined the visual history of the 20th century--and the 21st. Although his work spans decades, continents and diverse subjects, it is always instantly recognizable. Spontaneous and original, Erwitt's visions are imbued with true artistry and no trace of artifice. In this definitive collection, the master shares those works he considers his personal best. As you browse this carefully curated retrospective, you'll feel nostalgia, wonder--and a lasting sense of life's rich potential.
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His iconic shots, powerful and playful, have been gathered in a retrospective volume. It's much more than a greatest-hits package. -- The Boston Globe, October 15, 2006
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Born in Paris in 1928, Elliott Erwitt arrived in the U.S. in the late 1930s. Establishing himself in the 40s and 50s as a leading magazine photographer, he joined the prestigious Magnum Agency in 1953. In addition to his work in magazines, he achieved great success as an advertising photographer. He currently lives in New York City.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By des hill
Format:Hardcover
having just received this book I very quickly came to the conclusion that the "design" is a serious impediment to using and enjoying the book. First of all the weight, size and bulk make it impossible to enjoy with any degree of comfort - and at normal 'reading distances' the double page spreads require the head to roam around the page. Secondly, many of the images across double pages have their effect ruined by the spine. Many of the double page spreads are grossly over enlarged - some are rather out of focus to start with. Anybody interested in Erwitt would find much in these pages to enjoy, and indeed many of the images are of great quality. Sad that the "designer" has strove to acheive the wow factor associated with a slab of book on a bookshelf, rather than actually try to understand the elementary aspects of using and enjoying a book.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Robin Benson
Format:Paperback
How unfortunate that these world-class photos are presented in totally the wrong editorial format and more so because the solution would have been simple: a landscape shaped book.
The 448 pages are printed on a reasonable matt art paper and this makes it a quite chunky book so that it cannot be opened without the pages curving into the gutter. The problems start with so many photos a spread wide with any centrally framed detail merging into the spine and basically destroying the photo. A landscape shaped page would avoid all the spread photos from having their centers ruined and allow for a margin round each as well.
Another problem is that most of the photos bleed off the page, which eliminates page numbers. To get round this, every so often, a photo has generous margins allowing for some numbers. The back of the book has nine pages of thumbnails and page numbers for every page even though throughout the bleed pages there are no numbers.
As to the photos, there are many classics here that are frequently shown whenever Erwitt is mentioned in print. The wonderful one of a mother looking lovingly at her baby on a bed (1953) that was in the Family of Man exhibition, the landscape shot of the a car racing a steam train in Wyoming 1954, two New York dogs, one huge and the other tiny and their owner's legs from 1974. There are several fun shots like the art class with the painters in the nude and the model fully clothed. There is another editorial problem here because as far as I can see the 343 photos are shown in no order. Surely, a book like this would do them in date order or themes: dogs (one of Erwitt's favorites) countries and cities; humor; children; New York; portraits etcetera.... Read more ›
The 448 pages are printed on a reasonable matt art paper and this makes it a quite chunky book so that it cannot be opened without the pages curving into the gutter. The problems start with so many photos a spread wide with any centrally framed detail merging into the spine and basically destroying the photo. A landscape shaped page would avoid all the spread photos from having their centers ruined and allow for a margin round each as well.
Another problem is that most of the photos bleed off the page, which eliminates page numbers. To get round this, every so often, a photo has generous margins allowing for some numbers. The back of the book has nine pages of thumbnails and page numbers for every page even though throughout the bleed pages there are no numbers.
As to the photos, there are many classics here that are frequently shown whenever Erwitt is mentioned in print. The wonderful one of a mother looking lovingly at her baby on a bed (1953) that was in the Family of Man exhibition, the landscape shot of the a car racing a steam train in Wyoming 1954, two New York dogs, one huge and the other tiny and their owner's legs from 1974. There are several fun shots like the art class with the painters in the nude and the model fully clothed. There is another editorial problem here because as far as I can see the 343 photos are shown in no order. Surely, a book like this would do them in date order or themes: dogs (one of Erwitt's favorites) countries and cities; humor; children; New York; portraits etcetera.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Bartleby
Format:Hardcover
The master of the "indecisive moment" seemed to know just what he wanted when pulling together images for this project. "Eliot Erwitt: Personal Best" is a must for any photography lover or fan of life's funny moments. The printing and binding are the same quality one expects from a legendary house like teNeues. You will not be disappointed!
Other reviewers have mentioned the design of the book as a hindrance - for me, seeing the photographs printed large, full size, offers a chance to see what a real gallery print might look like, rather than a small, web / computer version of Erwitt's work that I have seen so many times online.
This collection has some of the best black and white street photography ever!
Other reviewers have mentioned the design of the book as a hindrance - for me, seeing the photographs printed large, full size, offers a chance to see what a real gallery print might look like, rather than a small, web / computer version of Erwitt's work that I have seen so many times online.
This collection has some of the best black and white street photography ever!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book after seeing the amazing exhibition of Elliott Erwitt's photography at New York's International Center of Photography.
Erwitt's work is broad in scope, including more traditional photo journalism, as well as what would better be described as street photography. Much of his work takes scenes from everyday life and finds the irony and humour in them. There's a long-necked bird right next to a pipe sticking from the ground that forms the same shape as the bird. There's a woman in a market with two coconuts on a shelf placed exactly where her breasts would be. We see silhouetted people on a train platform, who appear to be African Americans, while an advertising sign promotes Griffin Allwite white shoe polish. There are numerous hilarious pictures of dogs, including one with a tiny chihuahua next to a woman's feet and the feet of a great dane, that are almost as big as the chihuahua itself.
This book is very complete. It contains all my favourite photos from the exhibition and many more.
I would rate this book a five except for one thing. Many of the photos span across both pages on the spread. In the paperback version, this means the centres of many photos get somewhat lost in the binding. I saw a hardcover version of this book at the exhibition, and in contrast, its pages could open very wide so that the full picture could be properly seen.
Overall though, this is a great book with the best work of one of the best photographers of all time.
Erwitt's work is broad in scope, including more traditional photo journalism, as well as what would better be described as street photography. Much of his work takes scenes from everyday life and finds the irony and humour in them. There's a long-necked bird right next to a pipe sticking from the ground that forms the same shape as the bird. There's a woman in a market with two coconuts on a shelf placed exactly where her breasts would be. We see silhouetted people on a train platform, who appear to be African Americans, while an advertising sign promotes Griffin Allwite white shoe polish. There are numerous hilarious pictures of dogs, including one with a tiny chihuahua next to a woman's feet and the feet of a great dane, that are almost as big as the chihuahua itself.
This book is very complete. It contains all my favourite photos from the exhibition and many more.
I would rate this book a five except for one thing. Many of the photos span across both pages on the spread. In the paperback version, this means the centres of many photos get somewhat lost in the binding. I saw a hardcover version of this book at the exhibition, and in contrast, its pages could open very wide so that the full picture could be properly seen.
Overall though, this is a great book with the best work of one of the best photographers of all time.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Des Hill has it exactly right in his review of this book. Every single one of his points is one that I would've made, though probably not as well. Elliott Erwitt is my favorite photographer, but I've yet to find a book that properly presents his genius without bad design getting in the way -- this book, expensively, included.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best!
Erwitt's street photos are the most amazing shots I've ever seen.
His timing is exquisite and some shots almost seem too perfect to not be posed. Read more
His timing is exquisite and some shots almost seem too perfect to not be posed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ralph Douglas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent
Easily the best publication of extraordinary photographs ever! Truly amazing images that demonstrates Erwitt's genius from cover to cover. Highest recommendation
Published 5 months ago by Ohiocopper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book
Given to my daughter for Christmas but we all have enjoyed it. Different way to view the past and reflect on harder times.
Published 5 months ago by Alfred Lee Fluharty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Authentic photos, authentic photographer.
Having been always interested in black and white photography, i had a good time reading Personal Best. Read more
Published on July 15, 2010 by H. Koo
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic pictures
This one of the best books of photography I have. You can spent hours and hous seeing it and then, you would see it again. Read more
Published on January 26, 2008 by Arturo Such Sanz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
The pictures talk for themselves, and they're given their full importance. It's filled with whole-page pictures, which is good, because you can really focus on them and make your... Read more
Published on August 9, 2007 by Carlos Romero Rosania
5.0 out of 5 stars
the perfect book
not difficult reviw this book...is perfect : no number in the page , and one of the best Magnum potographer , and good price.!
Published on January 9, 2007 by Michele Saccani
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