Biography of Robert Capa

[pshinkaw]

I just picked up a new copy of "Blood and Champagne: The Life and Times of Robert Capa" by Alex Kershaw at the bargain counter of a local bookstore ($7.99).


It's a really interesting biography of Capa containing several photos of him with his Contaxes and Rolleiflexes hanging around his neck.

I suggest keeping an eye out for on the sale counters.

-Paul

 

[Paul T.]

I enjoyed it too. I don't think it was a great seller, as so many copies have been remaindered. Also, I thought it was pretty poor on the photography. Not that it needed much, but photographs WERE the point of the man's life. I understand he was really restricted by the Capa estate, who didn't allow any of Robert's photos to be used.

Just recently I bought Capa's own book, SLightly Out Of Focus. It is excellent, a better read than the Kershaw book, and it's not expensive - I bought mine from Amazon for maye £6 sterling.

 

[Thomaspin]

I penned a review of the book on my Photoblog.

You can see his pictures on the Magnum Photos site.

 

[kiev4a]

Capa was a great photographer and is know for his war photos. But the master of war photography was David Douglas Duncan. He also was a great writer.

Duncan's Korean War photo of a tired Marine, clad in a dirty parka, a frozen can of beans in one hand, staring toward the sky, titled "Give me tomorrow." is, IMO one of the greatest photos ever made.

BTW, Duncan ia also one of the photographers credited with making the rest of the world aware Japanese 35mm cameras and optics with his work in Korea.

 

[djon]

I've read (but can't find proof) that DDD was the specific individual who destroyed Capa's D-Day film in the Life darkroom's film dryer. Wish I could document that, but failing I will simply state it as gossip.

Kershaw is an *incredibly bad writer*. His book is valuable but his writing stinks. Unusual combination. The best writing in the book is simply lifted directly from others, quotes and all. Kershaw does at least have the decency to cite his sources...he's honest.

That he sticks with the Capa personality, as opposed to discussing photography, is criticized by some...but I think it's worthwhile because it was Capa's personality, particularly his statelessness, aversion to his real roots, desire for "American" identity, gambling and seeming desperation that accounted for much of his career.

This isn't a "photo" book, it's a biography. Capa's personality and exploits are more important than his photos, IMO, though I was rivited by his work when I first saw "Images of War" many years ago.

The new, super-gigantic Magnum book on Capa is wonderful...if you want his photos, that's the ultimate source.