Magnum contact sheets

[TennesseJones]

Just the smallest of appreciations-

"Reading" (looking and gawping and thinking because of) 'Magnum Contact Sheets' this last week.

A fascinating and extraordinary thing, the best photography book I've seen but also a wonderful and revealing book about creativity and the peculiarities of individual sight, about what different people see and why and how. Also in a strange but entirely obvious way it's a profound book about the twentieth century and the terrible rhymes and rhythms of our recent history.

Definitely worth a look.

 

[taylan]

Jim MArshall's "Proof" is one of my favorite book and it is full of with his iconic photographs and its contact sheets. Link is below:
http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Marshall-Proof/dp/0811843181
I recommend it.

 

[johannielscom]

There's a story on Proof and the Magnum contact sheets book on the blog on the Jim Marshall website. Have a read. It's nice to read!

 

[peter_n]

If you like contact sheets take a look at The Mexican Suitcase.

 

[d_c]

Does anybody have this Magnum book yet? I've seen some pretty damning reviews on amazon saying that while the content is fantastic the binding is sub-standard and that as a result the book starts falling apart pretty quickly. Is this peoples experience?

 

[johannielscom]

If you like contact sheets take a look at The Mexican Suitcase.

Where those shots issued as a book yet? I would have to get it, to complete my little Capa collection...!

 

[Ljós]

Does anybody have this Magnum book yet? I've seen some pretty damning reviews on amazon saying that while the content is fantastic the binding is sub-standard and that as a result the book starts falling apart pretty quickly. Is this peoples experience?

Yup, I got myself the english version for Christmas ;-) I love the book, was gonna start a thread on it too, but TennesseJones beat me to it ;-)

About the binding: I am not going to do a stress test, but handling it I got the feeling, too, that I better handle it extra carefully. It is solid and does not appear "sub-standard" to me, but at this size and weight the sheer force of mass involved could harm the binding I suppose.

But, all in all, it is sure worth it! If you're the least bit interested in the topic and can swing it, I say go for it!

Greetings, Ljós

 

[MartinP]

Yes Johan The Mexican Suitcase book has been published. It was possible to buy them at Arles this Spring (2011) but I had space and weight problems so didn't do so.

I did manage to see the premier of the documentary-film and the gallery exhibition though. I'm not the person to judge photographic qualities but as historical documentation, within the context of the rest that is out there and some which is still being (literally) uncovered in Spain, the collection of information is impressive.

The story about how it was recovered also sheds light on what happened after the civil war. For example, it is only in the last few days that the right to a apply for a Spanish passport has ended, for the survivors and refugees who fled and their descendants. Some three hundred thousand documents are expected to be granted - including a surprising sixty-thousand in Argentina alone.

EDIT: I looked at the Contact Sheets book at a shop here in NL, but then realised it was in Dutch. My native language is English and most people (except for me) who might look at my copy of the book speak no Dutch. It is certainly an impressive thing, possibly too big even, with interesting content.

 

[CameraQuest]

take the time

take the time

folks,

take the time to post in the correct forum
it will make finding your threads a lot easier in the future

just moved this thread from general interest to Photo Books

Stephen

 

[peter_n]

Does anybody have this Magnum book yet? I've seen some pretty damning reviews on amazon saying that while the content is fantastic the binding is sub-standard and that as a result the book starts falling apart pretty quickly. Is this peoples experience?

Mine was fine.

Where those shots issued as a book yet? I would have to get it, to complete my little Capa collection...!

Was published early this year Johan. Only in paperback format. It is another massive package.

 

[Michael Markey]

My copy of the Magnum book has been fine too.

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

Does anybody have this Magnum book yet? I've seen some pretty damning reviews on amazon saying that while the content is fantastic the binding is sub-standard and that as a result the book starts falling apart pretty quickly. Is this peoples experience?

I was hesistant on purchasing this book through Amazon for this very reason, though I read on another thread that Amazon temporarily suspended shipping to address this very issue. I can verify that when I received my copy soon after shipping resumed that the box it was shipped was a very appropriate size for the book with a couple air packs. Couldn't be more happy with the condition it arrived in, and I've had absolutely no qualms about the durability of the binding while reading through it. Note that I had another book, just as heavy, sent overnight along with it.

 

[Michael Markey]

I think that some of these books are maybe just too large.
It may have been better if "Contact Sheets" had been broken down into two volumes.
"Suitcase" , despite being a two volume paperback, has its own problems too.
The paper slipcase is hardly durable

 

[peter_n]

I think it mainly has to do with poor finishing between the spine and the book covers. Contact Sheets has a stitched binding that looks to be decent quality. OTOH I can see if I was rough with the book the covers might come off. I'm thinking about taking the book to a binders and having the spine connected to the covers properly with a sturdy fabric like you see on some library books.

Mexican Suitcase is different. Originally it was supposed to be published as a hardback but maybe Steidl balked at the cost. Whatever as a paperback it doesn't exactly exude quality and as Michael says the slipcase is a joke. What the two paperbacks really need is a strong box to sit in, not a bit of thin cardboard. Steidl did that with Davidson's Outside Inside so I don't understand why they did such a crap job with The Mexican Suitcase which is let's face it, an invaluable witness to history.