This survey features more than 400 works from the Polaroid Collection along with essays by Hitchcock, who illuminates the beginnings and history of the Polaroid Corporation.
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About the Author
Barbara Hitchcock is the director of cultural affairs for the Polaroid Corporation in Waltham, Massachusetts. She acquires fine art photographs for Polaroid and is responsible for managing its traveling exhibitions and multi-million dollar art collections. She has been the curator of several national exhibitions and currently serves on the Photography Collection Committee of Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge. California-native Steve Crist's TASCHEN titles include Andre de Dienes's Marilyn, William Claxton's Steve McQueen, and The Polaroid Book.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Pierce
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Honestly, at first this looked like something you could place on a coffee table or a dining room table, then forget about it having guests take 5 minute glances at it every now and again. What I didn't realize is how well the pictures are laid out in the book, the quality of the print, and the overall pristine wonder of the photographs inside. It still isn't really something you'd read over and over again, but if you want to be inspired, love classic photography, or maybe want a quick lesson on beginning to use polaroid photography, I'd definitely recommend this product. And let me tell you... for the price, this is easily one of the best deals on Amazon... 10 dollars for a 350 page book filled with a short history on the subject of polaroid photography, and hundreds of stunningly beautiful photographs, I can't describe how glad I am I made this purchase.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By victor lee
Format:Hardcover
Most readers will likely be overwhelmed and delighted from reading the
"Polaroid Book, Selections from the Polaroid Collections of Photography" not only
because of the visual appeal and variety of technical use with the images, but in
discovering how Edwin Land, the inventor, and Ansel Adams, the photographer, met
and how Adams became an integral part of the Polaroid Company.
The two met in 1948 as the first Polaroid "Land" camera was introduced to the world
providing photographs that gave an instant image to the photographer. No more
waiting for photographs by sending film off for processing.
Land hired Adams as an artistic consultant. His assignment: test cameras, film and
related photographic paraphernalia in the field and in the studio and report back.
Edwin Land finds not only a colleague and life-long friend in Ansel Adams, but a most
admired artist--a label that Land felt suited him as well. Both were captured by the art
of photography.
Adams began collecting photographs to be used as the "standard" of which to
compare the "Polaroid" results. Work by famous photographers such as Minor White,
Eliot Porter, Laura Gilpin, and Margaret Bourke-White, and others, were purchased as
"the Library Collection". This collection grew as relatively unknown photographers'
work was added which evolved into what is now "the Polaroid Collections".
This body of work wasn't simply the routine, the established, the expected of each
photographers' particular style. It evolved into experiments with often breath-taking
outcomes.
Ink was added, the images were painted upon, chemicals were added, film was frozen,
dyes and pastels were played with, and actual piercing of the photographs occurred.
Just about anything that one could think of doing to the film and images was done.
The results are more than surprising. At first blush, it would be inconceivable to think
that the use of instant photography was able to produce such a collection. So many of
the techniques emulate a standard, manually controlled camera with timed images,
double- and multiple-exposures, and unique lighting. Many are surreal.
In addition, the book provides a brief historical timeline of the Polaroid cameras and
milestones made with different types of cameras, film and processes.
I highly recommend this book as a guide, a resource, and an inspiration, to all who are
stirred by visual medium.
The images in this book will certainly spark a reaction.
"Polaroid Book, Selections from the Polaroid Collections of Photography" not only
because of the visual appeal and variety of technical use with the images, but in
discovering how Edwin Land, the inventor, and Ansel Adams, the photographer, met
and how Adams became an integral part of the Polaroid Company.
The two met in 1948 as the first Polaroid "Land" camera was introduced to the world
providing photographs that gave an instant image to the photographer. No more
waiting for photographs by sending film off for processing.
Land hired Adams as an artistic consultant. His assignment: test cameras, film and
related photographic paraphernalia in the field and in the studio and report back.
Edwin Land finds not only a colleague and life-long friend in Ansel Adams, but a most
admired artist--a label that Land felt suited him as well. Both were captured by the art
of photography.
Adams began collecting photographs to be used as the "standard" of which to
compare the "Polaroid" results. Work by famous photographers such as Minor White,
Eliot Porter, Laura Gilpin, and Margaret Bourke-White, and others, were purchased as
"the Library Collection". This collection grew as relatively unknown photographers'
work was added which evolved into what is now "the Polaroid Collections".
This body of work wasn't simply the routine, the established, the expected of each
photographers' particular style. It evolved into experiments with often breath-taking
outcomes.
Ink was added, the images were painted upon, chemicals were added, film was frozen,
dyes and pastels were played with, and actual piercing of the photographs occurred.
Just about anything that one could think of doing to the film and images was done.
The results are more than surprising. At first blush, it would be inconceivable to think
that the use of instant photography was able to produce such a collection. So many of
the techniques emulate a standard, manually controlled camera with timed images,
double- and multiple-exposures, and unique lighting. Many are surreal.
In addition, the book provides a brief historical timeline of the Polaroid cameras and
milestones made with different types of cameras, film and processes.
I highly recommend this book as a guide, a resource, and an inspiration, to all who are
stirred by visual medium.
The images in this book will certainly spark a reaction.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a classic which sold out its first printing. BUY THIS NOW! You will have, preserved on your bookshelf the essence of what Edwin Land envisioned over 65 years ago distilled in one BEAUTIFUL volume. How can the Petters Group (who now owns Polaroid) dare to banish such a beautiful art form from humanity? That's right, Polaroid has stopped making instant film and the supply may barely run through the end of this year, and all expire by the end of next year. THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST ART AND HUMANITY!! Buy the book, then go to savepolaroid.com and join us all to save this incredible art form. JUST LOOK AT THE PAGES OF THIS INCREDIBLE VOLUME!!! You will be amazed!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
makes a great gift
wonderful book at a great value. Gave it to my friend as a gift and loved it! Highly recommend, plus it's Taschen!
Published 13 days ago by Amanda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous if You are a Polaroid Lover
A wonderful book... especially at this price ! A collection of images I have never seen. You can not go wrong buying this book.
Published 3 months ago by kd5mjj2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Polariod Book
Definitely worth it... brings me back to when I took photos with a polaroid camera. You'll see that digital is not the be-all & end-all for capturing time. Enjoy!
Published 5 months ago by Just Someone
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE IT
its a fun book to look . great pictures,great references .it was fun to have polaroids thats for sure. worth buying it
Published 5 months ago by ketevan
1.0 out of 5 stars
It isn't in English
I've had this book on my wish list for a few years now. I am finally able to buy it and then I realized it is the German Edition. Read more
Published 11 months ago by barboid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Instant Camera Karma
Great Book. If you love Polaroid cameras and photos as I do then this is a "Must Have." Digital photography is wonderful but buying my first Polaroid "Swinger" was a life changing... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Polaroid Lover
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's Interesting
It's a neat flip through, but nothing too special. I will look through it a few times before it hits the shelves and collects dust, but I'm sure if Polaroid ever gets brought up... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Stephen Gaddis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
I am totally in looooove with this book. Amazing quality of shots! I can strongly recommend you to buy this piece of eye candy ))
Published 15 months ago by Tatyana
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book for polaroid
This book shows very fashion collections of polaroid photos. These photos are beautiful and give me some ideas of taking photo.
Published 17 months ago by yvon
5.0 out of 5 stars
excelente
Salio todo perfecto, llegó a tiempo (yo solo estaba en USA por una semana y llegó el día que me habian informado)
El libro es excelente y se encuentra en... Read more
El libro es excelente y se encuentra en... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Cecilia
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