Customer Reviews

Sleeping with Ghosts: A Life's Work in Photography

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I admired the photos in this book very much. Don McCullin is a powerful photographer. Many of these photos are mesmerizing and I would highly recommend this book.

I first heard about McCullin through a segment of the television documentary by Kathy and Amy Eldon on CNN called Dying To Tell the Story.

I bought SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS soon after watching that program because I was struck by McCullin's photos on television. It has been more than one year since I purchased this book through Amazon and I continue to learn things ( about photography, art, humanity, journalism ) as I look at it again and again. Each time I pick it up ( atleast once a month ) and look through the pages I learn something new, because McCullin is photojournalist in the finest sense of the word.

In this age of tabloid journalism and paparazzi - it is wonderful to see a shining example of what photo essays can and should be.

SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS is a reminder that documentary photography is IMPORTANT - it can have integrity - and it is a service to the world.

I'm greatly looking forward to looking through Don McCullin's new book, INDIA.

I read about this book in American Photo magazine, and having heard nothing else, decided to order it. I can say that this is my absolute favorite! If you are at all curious about it, don't hesitate - you may miss the chance to own this incredible book.

From the first image to the last, McCullin shows a perspective rarely seen in any sort of photo journalism. It's like he tries to separate from the action to be professional, but finds himself wound up in it time and time again. He intersperses images of hope, but all with the same pessimistic tone. Even from a sheerly technical standpoint, his images carry breathtaking weight.

It has been said time and time again, and even by McCullin himself, that his images are often printed very darkly. I think this style of contrasty grain enhances the experience and appreciation for his pictures. If you're looking for maximum slickness, look for the carefully planned and meticulously arranged portraits of Herb Ritts. If you're looking for photos that force the truth and emmotion of reality, this book is unmatched.

This outstanding war photographer, as illustrated in this book, you can find his shooting subjects switching from 'mem fighting in the front' to 'women & children suffering behind'. This does not talk about art, but more than art.

It is covering a number of warfares around the globe in recent history, like, Cyprus, Israel, Congo, Biafra, Vietnam, Pakistan, Cambodia, Iraq, etc.

Some pictures should not be missed :

Page 74 - Souvenir hunters (I refer to the dead Vietnamese soldier with his belongings) / Page 42 - Turkish gunman, Limassol / Page 161 - Falange gunman serenading the corpse of a young Palestinian girl / Page 172 - Sailboat on the Gandak river near Patna

Many years ago I processed Don's films for him. Bags of films straight from the wars of Viet Nam etc. I was only young but I was in complete awe of Don. Don was one of many well known photographers I met during my time in a professional lab but he was rather special. The sights he had witnessed were written on his somewhat sad face. A terrific guy who even had the time to talk to me, the darkroom junior. That was 30 years ago but I still marvel at the images he has created. Good luck Don, I wish you every happiness.