Timothy White: Portraits [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ Timothy White (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Timothy White: Portraits showcases in book form for the first time the work of one of the finest celebrity photographers in the field today. Every photograph chosen for this volume is a unique, compelling composition that provides an intimate picture of its subject and reveals why White is a master of the contemporary portrait. This is a dynamic collection of famous personalities from the worlds of film, entertainment, and music that is destined to become a collector's item.

About the Author

Timothy White's innovative work has been syndicated around the world and has appeared on the covers of virtually every high-profile fashion, entertainment, and celebrity and lifestyle-oriented publication, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, and Vogue. He has shot album covers and publicity photographs for an incredible roster of musicians as well as hundreds of movie posters for every major studio. His archive of celebrity photos is among the most sought-after in the world and includes almost every major star of the last 20 years. He is also the owner of Whitespace, a state-of-the-art photography studio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (September 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847823989
• ISBN-13: 978-0847823987
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 11.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,232,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrity Portrait Photography At Its Finest, October 27, 2001

By A Customer

The beauty and depth of this photography book transcends its celebrity subject matter. Timothy White has managed to capture a true moment with his subjects while at the same time making it about so much more than a photograph of a famous person. The richness and quality of this book has a place in my photography/art book collection as one of my favorites.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Collaborative Expressions, January 5, 2002

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

Caution: A few of the female images in this book exhibit "see-through" tops. If such things offend you, either avoid those pages, or this book.

In the foreword by Mr. Harrison Ford, Mr. Ford describes what he likes about Mr. White photography and why the two have been working together for 20 years. When Mr. Ford was first a contract player, the studio had his haircut like Elvis and then took a publicity shot to match. Even Mr. Ford didn't find the person portrayed to be appealing. Since then, Mr. Ford has sometimes been able to get approval over motion picture publicity stills. With this permission, Mr. Ford has called on Mr. White. "The work he does supports my ambitions . . . ."

That characterization is an important one for viewers and readers of this book. Many of the images are stunning portrayals of mood, personality, and identity. This is especially true where the person portrayed has a strong personality (Robert Mitchum), engaging eyes (Christie Brinkley), or fine acting ability (Sophia Loren). On the other hand, some of the images show the quirky, humble side. Those photographs work well with dead pan expressions (like Julia Roberts among discarded tires in an alley).

Among the subjects whose images strongly appealed to me were the ones mentioned above and those of John Sayles, Mel Gibson, Paul Newman, Eddie Griffin, Liza Minelli, Sylvester Stallone, Costas Mandylor, Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore (Hollywood, March 1995), David Keith, Kiefer Sutherland, and the version of Nicolas Cage on the dust cover.

On the other hand, some of the backdrops and poses just didn't work for me. These images were like the flattering poses of wealthy people during the Renaissance, making everyone seem like they are larger-than-life. You can adjust the image in a painting to get that effect. In a photograph, the person's pose, expression, and intensity have to fit the backdrop. In a number of cases, the subject just didn't have enough of the right stuff to match. As a result, the people look slightly limp or out-of-place against the intense or heroic setting. This suggests that too much collaboration can possibly be harmful to ambitions as well, by causing weaknesses to become more obvious.

The book's paper quality, size of pages, and reproduction quality are all quite good. The photography is mostly in color, but the duotone effects are often the best. Most photographers are better in one or the other, and Mr. White's strength is duotone.

What do you want people to see when they look at or think of you? How does that expand your life? How does it constrict your alternatives?

Open yourself to others . . . in order to come closer to them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Art, November 15, 2001

By	"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

Soulful locations, riviting compositions...Photography as a fine art meets the celebrity portrait. Timothy White is a master. The suprising candor that is captured in his subjects all share an honesty and intimacy that is so rare in the entertainment industry. This work inspires the amateur as well as the professional photographer.