Harry Benson's America

by Harry Benson

A collection of irreverent works by the award-winning photographer of Once there was a way… Photographs of the Beatles and The President & Mrs. Reagan showcases a previously unexplored side of the artist's style and features such subjects as Truman Capote, Richard Nixon, and Andy Warhol. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2005 coffee table type book of photographs of (mostly) celebrities by Scottish photographer Harry Benson covers several decades of his work in the USA, beginning in the 1960s, some of which has been featured in magazines such as Life, People, Vanity Fair. His subjects are usually photographed within their customary settings or comfort zones such as eating in their kitchens, relaxing in their apartments or swimming pools; thus, in addition to the excellent photos of the personalities, stars, politicians, etc., the reader also gets a chance to view fashion trends, decor of a world that has vanished. Sometimes, though, celebrities were photographed in action, such as the photos of Barbara Streisand singing at her concert in Central Park in 1967, or of Tina Turner and Janis Joplin singing together in NYC in 1968.

Benson first came to the USA when he accompanied the Beatles to the States in 1964 on their first American tour; he was the photographer who took the well-known photograph of the gleeful quartet having a pillow fight in a hotel room. The era, although turbulent, seems almost uncomplicated compared to today.

There are also some photos of celebrities taken years or decades apart, such as those of Henry Kissinger in 1971 (in Paris - dining at the US Embassy during the peace talks) and in 2003 (in a limo). The book is actually a nostalgic time capsule of history - of a simpler time because in the those earlier decades, the country was mostly on the same page given that media emanated from very few corporations, magazines, TV channels, radio stations - as opposed to the explosion of information and viewpoints since the advent of the internet and social media. Today, probably billions of photographs are uploaded daily by everyone on Earth. In those days, photography meant expertise and expense - purchasing supplies, getting film processed. Today, everyone has a camera included with their cheap smart phones. All forms of information have almost been freed from the control of media empires - since billions of people are already ¨where the action is¨ and can shoot photos or films or write accounts of events anytime anything happens. Of course, there are still exclusive areas of media that only the biggest corporations can control - such as television or movie studios.

This volume is prefaced by an introduction written by the photographer looking back at his decades of work and interactions with celebrities he photographed - recounting incidents or memories associated with various cities or locales. As Benson writes: ¨In life you are lucky if you get more ups than downs." Benson, judging by his success as a renowned and excellent portrait photographer, definitely has had more ups than downs in his life!

[Brian Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

If not for the possessive, HARRY BENSON’S AMERICA would be a complete misnomer. The book is not at all about America in a Robert Frank sense. This book is by & large Benson’s portrait work of celebrities in his adopted country; and it is the work of a fine photographer. The portraits are creative without being campy. From the text, it’s clear that Benson, born in Glasgow, Scotland, loved America. From the images, it’s clear that Benson had the knack for establishing rapport with his subjects. His portrait of Carrie Fisher is stunning. So this is one of those collections that entertain and inform on two levels. First, it’s interesting to relive a bit of popular culture. Second, for a photographer, it’s informative to study the work of a master.

[LaLa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This drove me nuts. Harry doesn't provide any context for his work here, seeming to think that the pictures are enough. He doesn't clarify which photos are photojournalism and which are formal portraits - he doesn't provide any technical insight - he doesn't seem to be proving anything except he's very proud that he had access to so many famous people which - I dunno - good for you dude but that does not an art book make.

[R. David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting passage and photo documentary of history. I read photo books to get ideas for my own photography.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful photos.

[Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really beautiful, thought-provoking images in here. I recently saw him lecture and share the stories behind many of the images in this book. It made a huge difference in my appreciation for the book itself.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, it's mainly a picture book. But I do love pictures.