Steve McQueen: Photographs by William Claxton [Hardcover]

William Claxton (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1892041375 | ISBN-13: 978-1892041371 | Publication Date: August 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Steve McQueen is a handsome photographic art book featuring William Claxton's unique photographs-images that captured the young, controversial American actor in the beginning of his movie career during the 1960s. Claxton's photographs confirm that McQueen's all-American, off-beat good looks were every bit as stunning as his acting and his often-stormy off-screen personality. McQueen continues to be an icon for the youth of yesterday and today. Often labeled as a maverick, a rebel, a tough guy, a loner, and a daredevil, McQueen was, above all else, an American original. Claxton, a sometime buddy of McQueen's, has captured on film not only McQueen's talent and perfectionism, but also his less well-known sensitivity and sense of humor. Along with these photographs, most of which have never been published before, are Claxton's memories and recollections, including anecdotes creating a very personal vision of McQueen. Steve McQueen features action shots of McQueen with his motorcycle buddies, in his fast cars, with his leading ladies and fellow actors, including scenes from several of his early and best films.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A photographic art book capturing McQueen’s off-beat good looks, leading ladies and scenes from some of his best and earliest films. -- DKNY, Fall 2000

William Claxton wrote the manual for jazz portraiture, but two new portfolios reveal the photographer’s hidden side-William Claxton is starstruck. -- FLAUNT Magazine, October 2000

About the Author

Steve McQueen (1930-1980) was considered by fellow actors to be among the greatest screen stars of film history. His films include The Sand Pebbles (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), Nevada Smith, Bullitt, The Getaway, and Papillon.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Arena Editions; 1st edition (August 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892041375
• ISBN-13: 978-1892041371
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,081,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fitting Photo Tribute, March 29, 2004

By 

H. F. Corbin "Foster Corbin" (ATLANTA, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steve McQueen: Photographs by William Claxton (Hardcover)

According to his foreward to this book, the photographer William Claxton met Steve McQueen in 1962 when McQueen was starring with Natalie Woods in LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER. The two men formed a friendship and apparently Mr. Claxton became Mr. McQueen's favorite and most requested photographer. This book of wonderful photographs, covering a couple of years in Mr. McQueen's life from 1962 to 1964, is a result of that brief friendship. Most of the pictures appear to be shot in available light and have a wonderful, informal spontaneity about them impossible to capture in formal portraiture. Both the photographer and subject are comnpletely without pretention.

Mr. Claxton caught Mr. McQueen smiling, clowning and pensive. There are photographs of McQueen in fast cars as well as on motorcycles. Many of the shots were done while Mr. McQueen was working on movies. There are also many pictures of him with family and friends. Most of the shots are in black and white with a few in color. Every time I look at them I find yet another photograph that I think is the best in the book. There is a haunting shot of McQueen with his young daughter where the child, sitting on the floor and resting on her arms, looks into Claxton's camera. We only see her father's legs and feet. (p. 79) Another great shot appears on page 73. McQueen is embracing the family cat. Finally, there's a shot of McQueen lying on a blanket in a large field. His profile is beautifully backlit. Both photographs selected for the front and back covers are fine, informal portraits as well.

This book made me remember how much I enjoyed Steve McQueen's movies and made me sad that he is no longer among us.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leaves you begging for more, October 20, 2000

By 

SharonF (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Steve McQueen: Photographs by William Claxton (Hardcover)

A wonderful work of art that captures what made Steve so charismatic and appealing. It leaves you wishing you could see more from other periods in his life. This is a book I will treasure all my life. Thank you Amazon, I would have paid ten times as much for this book. God Rest His Soul.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the posed movie star photos we're used to seeing., September 9, 2000

By 

Torger (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steve McQueen: Photographs by William Claxton (Hardcover)

This book is jammed with high quality pictures of McQueen before he hit it big. He is a popular actor at this time in his life, not yet the full blown international star, and this book provides a window into his life. The best part of this book is that there's very little stereotypical posing (the cover is one of the posed shots) and it seems more of an old collection of pics that a friend pulled out a ratty shoebox--very intimate and loose. And it helps that the friend is talented. The weaker part of the book is the personal anecdotes--they're fine and insightful but brief. But you can buy a biography to fill in the blanks.