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Jeff Bridges
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Pictures by Jeff Bridges Hardcover – September 1, 2004

by Jeff Bridges (Photographer), Peter Bogdanovich (Foreword)
4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
For more than twenty years, on dozens of film sets, Bridges has perfected his own photography, shooting between takes and behind-the-scenes with a Widelux F8 camera. This fascinating, surprisingly candid body of work began as a personal project, as he recorded the arduous, emotionally intense, evanescent work of the film shoot in books that were privately printed and given as gifts to cast and crew. These are not traditional “Hollywood” pictures, but rather—despite the costumes and lighting, the crowds of extras, the stardom of the subjects—pictures of friends at work. Taken together, the pictures act as Bridges’ personal and professional diary, with actors, directors, and crew appearing as coworkers, all equal participants in the job at hand.

With a foreword by Peter Bogdanovich and Jeff Bridges’ hand-written commentary and captions throughout, Pictures promises to be a rare and exciting publishing event, offering a vision of Hollywood that is both intimately human and formally beautiful.

Jeff Bridges’ proceeds from Pictures will be donated to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, a non-profit organization that offers charitable care and support to film-industry workers.
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    powerHouse Books
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    12.35 x 0.85 x 10.45 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1576871770
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1576871775
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Photographs from movie sets have always been packed with the curious itch of glamour. Pictures, actor Jeff Bridges's book of photographs, is no exception, and it starts with a special camera. Bridges has been taking on-set photos since the 1980s with a Widelux, an oddity without a shutter or viewfinder. The camera's moving slit makes for panoramic images (about the same aspect as a widescreen film) and even allows quick moving subjects to appear twice on the same negative. Hence these photos are not always crystal clear but nevertheless capture magic, a verisimilitude of being on the inside of the movie-making process. The wide field can show an actor and director foreground while the crew spins their own story in another part of the print--multiple stories written in light. Bridges often catches his fellow actors with an amusing twinkle in their eye whether preparing for scene or appearing twice in the same shot mirroring the comedy/tragedy masks. Bridges adds reminisces about the photos including a very funny off-color story from The Big Lebowski set.

In the past, Bridges would give out self-published collections of his photographs to cast and crew as gifts at the end of a shoot. One might have spied these images in promotional items or magazines, but with Pictures, now fans of the movies can have their own wonderful keepsake. --Doug Thomas

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of the offbeat star of The Last Picture Show, Starman, The Big Lebowski and The Contender (as well as, more recently, Seabiscuit) get a closer look at his take with this collection of 119 of Bridges's set photographs. Sometimes blurry, and appealingly casual, these duotone shots fit nicely with Bridges's own persona as a quietly humorous, understated and unpretentious actor. Of his camera, a Widelux F8, Bridges says, "its viewfinder isn't accurate, and there's no manual focus, so it has an arbitrariness to it, a capricious quality." The panoramic shots (here about 12"×10") of cluttered sets, exhausted actors and crew members intent on various tasks are a refreshing "inside" view of a world that director Peter Bogdanovich, in his introduction to the book, calls "haphazard, messy, familial, jumbled, frenetic, surreal, fragmented." Bridges's accompanying notes are concise and often hilarious: on the set of The Big Lebowski, Bridges recounts how, while sliding between the legs of the "Bowling-Pin Chorines" on a "little skateboard," he sees a lot more than he expected, thanks to a "hairy" prank pulled by the mischievous dancers. One recurring motif is the Comoedia/Tragoedia masks that Bridges asks fellow actors to make, bringing them back to the ancient roots of their profession: Martin Landau's expressive rendition, with ghostly drawings of old cars in the background, is especially haunting. Bridges doesn't forget his family, either: photographs of brother Beau and father Lloyd are particularly affectionate. While none of the photographs are scandalous, a la Hollywood Babylon, and won't ruin anyone's reputation (although some will love the unguarded, unmade-up shots of Michelle Pfeiffer, as well as the shot of Bridges himself lying pensively on his stomach in his Tron costume), this is still a fun and down-to-earth peek inside a world often only seen through the overpolished lens of Hollywood.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ powerHouse Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2004
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1576871770
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1576871775
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.35 x 0.85 x 10.45 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

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Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges

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Academy Award–winning actor Jeff Bridges is widely admired as a jewel of American cinema, with dozens of leading credits to his name. For more than 30 years, on numerous film sets, Bridges, with his specialized panoramic camera, a Widelux F8, has captured behind-the-scenes views of the creative world of moviemaking. Now, 16 years since his first collection of photography in “Pictures by Jeff Bridges” (2003), comes “Pictures, Volume Two” (2019).

In addition to his work before and behind the camera, Jeff Bridges and Zen master Bernie Glassman captured their spontaneous dialogue in the New York Times bestseller “The Dude and the Zen Master” (2012).

Jeff Bridges also narrates and brings to life the only audio book version of the holiday classic “The Night Before Christmas” (2016).

Most recently, Bridges collaborated with his oldest daughter, Isabelle Bridges-Boesch, who wrote “Daddy Daughter Day” (Fall 2020). He has charmingly illustrated her story of their adventures together on her proclaimed “Daddy Daughter Day.”

The multitalented Bridges has also recorded several albums: “Be Here Soon” (2000), “Crazy Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (2010), “Jeff Bridges” (2011), and “Live. Jeff Bridges & The Abiders” (2014).

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
42 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's stunning visual style, with one noting how it captures co-stars and crew brilliantly. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its pacing, with one customer highlighting its many behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes from various movie sets. Additionally, the photography quality is excellent.

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11 customers mention "Visual style"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual style of the book, describing it as stunning, with one customer noting how it captures his co-stars and crew brilliantly.

"...It's an intimate, insider's look at one person's vision as he sees the world, and that person is actor and photographer Jeff Bridges...." Read more

"...makes these gorgeous panoramic photos, and has a wonderful eye for capturing his subject and his scene...." Read more

"...- there are so many personal notes in it which make you understand the photo and the movie industry. It is also a nice look into Jeff's personality...." Read more

"Amazing artist! Wish I could have captured the look on my boyfriends face and the excitement in his voice when he opened this for Valentines Day...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one review highlighting its unique perspective, while another notes its many behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes from various movie sets.

"...covers were mostly taken by Bridges himself, and they offer a unique perspective for both fans of his films and they range from serious to very witty..." Read more

"...or anyone who admires and appreciates art photography with an interesting subject." Read more

"...His quirkiness and unique perspective. In this great book of his photos he demonstrates another unique perspective--behind a unique camera...." Read more

"...the pictures, which are VERY nice by the way, the book has many behind the scenes stories, and gives you a great opportunity to know the artist..." Read more

6 customers mention "Photography quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the photographs in the book.

"...He uses a very rare old film camera which makes these gorgeous panoramic photos, and has a wonderful eye for capturing his subject and his scene...." Read more

"...to sit down and really look through this book, it is jam packed with the most amazing pictures and journaling. So happy with this purchase!" Read more

"...Smells new, great care by seller, thank you. Intimate very good photography." Read more

"Excellent photographs from behind the scenes..." Read more

Stunning (soft spot) Michelle Pfeiffer
5 out of 5 stars
Stunning (soft spot) Michelle Pfeiffer
Stunning as expected. J`adore Jeff Bridges his chemistry with Michelle Pfeiffer particularly alluring. Like new indeed, eyeing this book for years. Smells new, great care by seller, thank you. Intimate very good photography.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • John Williamson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pictures by Jeff Bridges: A warm, intimate look behind the scenes
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    There are plenty of celebrity photo books on the market, but Pictures by Jeff Bridges is a true rarity. This is no paparazzi book with images of who was seen with whom and where. It's an intimate, insider's look at one person's vision as he sees the world, and that person is actor and photographer Jeff Bridges.

    With an often witty introduction by none other than director, writer, producer, critic and film historian, Peter Bogdanovich, we gain a rare insight through black & white on-set images shot by Jeff Bridges. It should be remembered that Bogdanovich's most critically acclaimed film is The Last Picture Show (1971), nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Jeff Bridges for Best Supporting Actor, and it was Bridges' first major role.

    The photos that we find between the covers were mostly taken by Bridges himself, and they offer a unique perspective for both fans of his films and they range from serious to very witty. There are almost 120 images from the set of The Big Lebowski, Tron, Starman, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and more, along with some excellent photos of his brother Beau and father Lloyd.

    For this photo enthusiast, it is interesting to note that these were taken with a 35mm Widelux camera, a device that is a real throwback to the 1950s. Jeff Bridges received his first Widelux as a gift from his wife, and readers will find in this book. It's a panning, still camera and has a 28mm lens that pans almost 180º, and instead of the traditional shutter, it has a slit that exposes the film as the lens pans. But that's all in the book, along with some very off-the-wall commentary by Bridges himself.

    Pictures by Jeff Bridges is a wonderful and witty look at film the way that few ever see, a warm and highly recommended work of images by a man who before he was a known actor, was also a photographer.

    10/15/2012
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Chris Ann Maxwell
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Jeff Bridges has been taking photos on his movie sets for decades. He uses a very rare old film camera which makes these gorgeous panoramic photos, and has a wonderful eye for capturing his subject and his scene. My husband is a photographer, and this was the perfect birthday present for him. The book is out of print, and not easy to find, but is a must for any photographer or anyone who admires and appreciates art photography with an interesting subject.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Outlaw03
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book because (1) Jeff Bridges is my favorite actor and (2) I love photography and used to have my own darkroom set up and had a part-time business with it. It is really a good book - there are so many personal notes in it which make you understand the photo and the movie industry. It is also a nice look into Jeff's personality. It is something you can pick up time after time and see new things that were not previously seen.
    It is a joy to have this book.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • lilcricket
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing artist! Wish I could have captured the look on my boyfriends face and the excitement in his voice when he opened this for Valentines Day. He is a huge Jeff Bridges fan, and thanks to him I am almost as big a fan as he. Cant wait to sit down and really look through this book, it is jam packed with the most amazing pictures and journaling. So happy with this purchase!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jordana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winning Medium for a Great Artist
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a huge Jeff Bridges fan. I love his authenticity. His willingness to go out on a ledge to find the truth. His quirkiness and unique perspective. In this great book of his photos he demonstrates another unique perspective--behind a unique camera. His access to a world we never see is a treat, and his photos, like his other work, reveals "what is"--with a keen eye, and without artifice.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Gretchen Skillman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning (soft spot) Michelle Pfeiffer
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Stunning as expected. J`adore Jeff Bridges his chemistry with Michelle Pfeiffer particularly alluring. Like new indeed, eyeing this book for years. Smells new, great care by seller, thank you. Intimate very good photography.
    Customer image
    Gretchen Skillman
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Stunning (soft spot) Michelle Pfeiffer

    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
    Stunning as expected. J`adore Jeff Bridges his chemistry with Michelle Pfeiffer particularly alluring. Like new indeed, eyeing this book for years. Smells new, great care by seller, thank you. Intimate very good photography.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
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  • Connie Book
    4.0 out of 5 stars Life of Jeff Bridges in pictures
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book I bought as a gift for my cousin who really likes Jeff Bridges and so she really appreciated it.
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  • ElArteDePerder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great photography/movies/art book all at once
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I got it signed.. what else can you ask for?? :-)
    In addition to the pictures, which are VERY nice by the way, the book has many behind the scenes stories, and gives you a great opportunity to know the artist (and the man). Awesome book.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • john
    5.0 out of 5 stars ツタヤのコンシェルジェに聞いてもググってましたが、見つからず
    Reviewed in Japan on February 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    アメリカに行った時たまたま図書館で見つけたジェフブリッジの写真集。装丁もカッコよく、お勧めでした。
    代官山のツタヤさん、コンシェルジェさんなのに何故に見つからなかったのでしょうか？頑張ってください。
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  • Claudia-Sophie Hoffmann
    5.0 out of 5 stars für alle Kunst - und Fotografieliebhaber
    Reviewed in Germany on November 2, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    und natürlich für Jeff Bridges Fans ein echter Leckerbissen.
    Eine völlig andere Sicht der Dinge und Menschen, ermöglicht sicher auch durch die Widelux F 8.
    Natürlich geht es hier auch um Stars mit denen er gearbeitet hat und auch hier schafft Jeff Bridges es, diese sehr menschlich einzufangen.
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  • Josh Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
    Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Jeff Bridges has always been a fave actor of mine, but now he goes up on the list of fave photographers as well. Just amazing stuff
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  • Lorelei Lamont
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coffee table book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting and thought provoking book which I bought for my husband. He loves Jeff Bridges, but even if you don't some of the photos are fascinating and the stories behind them equally so. I loved the layout. We have looked at it a lot over the last nearly ten years.
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  • sakami
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jeffの映画人生そのもの。
    Reviewed in Japan on October 15, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    これまでJeff Bridgesが出演してきた映画の
    レビューとしての側面もある写真集。
    家族への愛情など、Jeffのとても人間らしい部分が
    よく現れている。
    文章も多く、英語力がないと全てを理解することは
    難しいかもしれないが、
    出てくる写真をみるだけでも
    ファンにとっては懐かしく、とても幸せな本だった。
    Report