The Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White

by Margaret Bourke-White (Photographer), Carl Mydans (Foreword), Theodore M. Brown (Introduction)

Book by

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Journalism, Womens

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Margaret Bourke-White was an American photographer and documentary photographer. She is best known as the first foreign photographer permitted to take pictures of Soviet Industry, the first female war correspondent (and the first female permitted to work in combat zones) and the first female photographer for Henry Luce's Life magazine, where her photograph appeared on the first cover.

Reviews

[Ilana (illi69) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering this has been among the most influential books in my life since age eleven or so, I’ll find a few words to say about it here. My original copy is still with me after countless moves over the decades and has been well loved. Different cover version on mine.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Bourke-White was one of the superstars of photography, this includes quality, quantity and the locations of the shoots. For example, not only did she photograph Joseph Stalin, she also caught him with a semi-smile. Among other things, she shot pictures of American poverty, life in the Soviet Union, American and Soviet industry, Eastern Europe before the Second World War and the German death camps after Allied Forces moved in.
Each image has a caption and the one associated with the picture of a poor woman in Georgia is one of the best statements of poverty ever uttered. “I’ve done the best I knew how all my life, but it didn’t amount to much in the end.”
While this is only a mere taste of the work of Margaret Bourke-White, it is enough to give the reader a clear understanding of how good she was. Unafraid to put herself in harm’s way for a good picture, she will always remain a giant and a pioneer in the field of photography.

[Mark McTague · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an age of media saturation, amid the flood of near-constant images, it is interesting to see the work of one of the pioneers of the photographic essay. These copious black and white photos (almost all her own work), and the accompanying text, describe generally the life and career of this remarkable woman. Recommended if you have an interest in photography or the mid-twentieth century.

[Greynomad · Rating 5 out of 5]

magic

[Keith Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful selection of her work

[Amanda R · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and so inspirational. Margaret Bourke-White photographed everything from praying mantises to factory machinery to Stalin, and did it all with incredible artistry and skill. Someday I'd like to read a full biography of her, but for now I will just study these beautiful photos and try to learn from her.