Customer Reviews

Unseen Vogue: The Secret History of Fashion Photography

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book is essentially the companion to one of the most fascinating shows that I ever stumbled upon. Last November in London, I went to the Design Museum[founded by Terrence Conran] to view an exhibit of aluminum[aluminium].

Coincidentally, there was this Vogue show. Having paid my admission to the museum, I viewed this exhibit as well. Now, I don't pretend to know much about fashion nor photography. And this show blew me away. And so does this book, but not as well as the show, of course.

An assemblage of insights into the culture and history of the twentieth century that I would never have encountered on my own. Not only does the story reveal how conde nast's money financed some of the more significant technical innovations in photography[which intrigued me since I try to follow the history of science and technology], but I was also fascinated to discover how it was that Vogue may have had the most energetic and brave war correspondent/photographer of WW2: and it was a beautiful and talented woman - Lee Miller. Do take the time to find out all you can about her.

And lastly, the photos are knock-outs. I wouldn't have done this show or this book deliberately, but having stumbled into the show, I have to pronounce it one of the most educational exhibitions that I have encountered.

As a fan of the fashion industry, I was excited by this book. It is absolutely filled with major stars. It spans several decades and features models like Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Pat Cleveland, Veruschka, Uma Thurman, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Shalow Harlow, Claudia Schiffer, Karen Elson, Maggie Rizer, and Gisele Bundchen. All of the photos are breaktakingly beautiful and interesting from classy old Hollywood style photos, strange modern poses, and glamorous high fashion spreads.

For those of you who actually read these coffee table books, you will not be disappointed. This book is filled with useful information about the industry, Vogue, and how fashion has impacted culture.

I was looking for a book that would inspire me while also giving me a sense of fashion photography's history, and this is just the book. I've turned to it many times as a springboard for ideas or for the pure enjoyment of looking at the images. The copy in the front, though difficult to read because of the small font size, gives interesting gossipy tidbits about the shoots. Though not a complete history of fashion photographer by any means, its focus on Vogue keeps the book from being overwhelming.

Finding this book and ordering it, I was looking forward to a nice interesting read on the history/back-story on UK Vogue. The reviews are all glowing, and it seemed like a lock. Ordered the paperback version, and when it was arrived thought "Wow, okay it's a bit small but that's okay..." but when I finally cracked it open to read it, the font size is SO small on the picture captions as to be practically unreadable without a magnifying glass and very bright light.

I've got fairly good reading glasses but gave up on this for casual reading, since a bright light scenario is the only one where it would be possible. Disappointed, a big question mark goes to the publisher's decision that dropping the book size to Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches from the original Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.2 x 1.3 inches by scaling instead of laying it out again with say, at least a readable 6 point font?

WOW, I'm going to go try to find an old hardback copy now and I'll be looking at the print sizes a bit more closely now before buying from Amazon/this publisher again.

Content(from what I can tell) 4 stars, presentation 1 stars, so I'll give it a 2 stars overall.

It's a book on VOGUE! How could you do this to the format?!

NOTE: All the reviews are for the hardback version NOT the paperback version.

Item in good shape and quick shipping. This will come in handy for my inspirations on photo shoots. Sorry for the slow review. Thanks!

Interesting look at glamor photographs during the early to late 20th century in England, which set many fashion trends. This book shows some of the poses and styles that are typical of Vogue covers and fashion shots of some of the most famous models and movie stars of that period. This is what the best photographers with the best equipment can do with some of the most beautiful women in the world. It also shows that photography is an art not a science, not every shot or creative idea works,but this magazine has led the pack worldwide.