The Human Figure in Motion (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The 4,789 photographs in this definitive selection show the human figure—models almost all undraped—engaged in over 160 different types of action: running, climbing stairs, tumbling, dressing, undressing, hopping on one foot, dancing, etc. Children walking, crawling and many dozens of other activities.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 390 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 1955)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486202046
• ISBN-13: 978-0486202044
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,485 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE!, January 26, 2000

By	Jill E. Burwell "jille333" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This book belongs in every artist's library. First issued at the end of the 19th century, it has become a timeless reference. The author took quick time photographs of humans in a wide variety of common movements. The result is almost like breaking a film into separate cells. You get a 'blow-by-blow' breakdown of activities from simple walking to pouring water into a basin to sports. Both men and women are showcased, nude, with height reference lines behind. These are 'real' people, not the toothpick female and muscle bound male that have become today's figures to emulate. I hear people say, "I can only draw if I have something to look at," so often it makes me sad. It's OKAY to need something to look at. Artists have used models for centuries untold. You are not a lesser artist because you need something to look at. And this is the perfect 'something.' Great for you because these models never fuss or fidget. They never change their position except in the next photo. I lent my copy to someone and it was never returned. Every time I looked at the place on my bookshelf where it used to sit, a little part of me cringed. I am overjoyed to find the book here on Amazon. Get your copy and take it from someone who learned the hard way --don't let it out of your sight!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Content, Plain and Simple, August 16, 2000

By	E. Richards "Herself" (Alone with my thoughts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Muybridge created an extremely comprehensive collection of photos of people engaged in normal activities. For example, he had men shouldering rifles, women walking up stairs, men playing baseball, a little kid crawling, people with disabilities walking, people carrying objects and so on. Not only were the collections in the form of sequences of shots showing the movement, but they were done from several angles at the same time, so you could see the activity (throwing a bucket of water) front, back and sideways.

Some folks I knew at Autodesk scanned these images into their computers to test early versions of their Animator products. Others have made animated gifs out of Muybridge photos for their web pages. Others just sit and look at them because it's so interesting to see the care in these shots (not to mention all those charming Victorian hairdos :-)). My only (and this is only) beef with it is the images are quite small.

It, and the companion book about animals are very useful and enjoyable, indeed, and there isn't a lot of chatter.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Muybridges Masterpiece Collection, January 27, 2000

By	rareoopdvds (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Eaweard Muybridges work after his success with Animals in Motion, logically would pursue humans doing tasks that would allow us to view humans in motion.With about 4700 photos in this collection, larger than the animals collection, you will see men, women and children doing just about everything short of coition. All models are nude, running, skipping, jumping, carrying pails of water. This collection by Dover, one of the finest publishers around, is a great reference for all artists, especially animators. As it can show them the muscles and movements and positions of weight, balance, footing, head movements and expressions to gain an edge on their drawings for more accuracy. The Walt Disney Animation Studios reading list highly reccomends this collection for every prospective animator.