The Photobook: A History, Vol. 1

by Martin Parr, Gerry Badger

"Photographers have been making photobooks--bound collections of their works--ever since the birth of photography in the early nineteenth century ... This publication tells the story of photography via the history of the photobook, revealing the ways in which photographers have influenced each other's work through their books, and consequently how their use of photography has developed over time ... The first of two extensive volumes, this publication explores more than 200 photobooks through 750 colour illustations, detailed captions, and an illuminating text written by the photographer"--Dustjacket.

Genres: Photography, Art

320 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2004

About the author

Martin Parr was born in Epsom, Surrey, UK in 1952. When he was a boy, his budding interest in the medium of photography was encouraged by his grandfather George Parr, himself a keen amateur photographer.

Parr studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic, from 1970-1973. Since that time, Martin Parr has worked on numerous photographic projects. He has developed an international reputation for his innovative imagery, his oblique approach to social documentary, and his input to photographic culture within the UK and abroad.

In 1994 he became a full member of Magnum Photographic Corporation. In recent years, he has developed an interest in filmmaking, and has started to use his photography within different conventions, such as fashion and advertising.

In 2002 the Barbican Art Gallery and the National Media Museum initiated a large retrospective of Parr's work. This show toured Europe for the next 5 years.

Parr was appointed Professor of Photography in 2004 at The University of Wales Newport campus. He was Guest Artistic Director for Rencontres D'Arles in 2004. In 2006 he was awarded the Erich Salomon Prize and the resulting Assorted Cocktail show opened at Photokina. In 2008 he was guest curator at the New York Photo Festival, curating the New Typologies exhibition. At PhotoEspana, 2008, he won the Baume et Mercier award in recognition of his professional career and contributions to contemporary photography.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing collection of rare photobooks. Volume 2 is even better.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I anticipated. I thought this would be a photo book - an over-sized book of exquisitely large reproductions of photos.

Nope, it's a book about photobooks. It's international in scope, so there are references to MANY photobooks, including thumbnail-size images of each photobook's cover, an overview summary of each photobook, and a few photos from each photobook.

The important thing about this book is that the images are thumbnail-size, so skimming through this book was NOT the lavish photo feast that I expected.

[Zioluc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primo di tre volumi che il fotografo Martin Parr, avido collezionista di cartoline e di fotolibri, dedica alla storia di questi ultimi assieme al critico Gerry Badger.
La vasta raccolta è divisa per capitoli tematici (non sempre solo cronologici) che offrono un testo introduttivo e una selezione di fotolibri con più immagini e un commento. Un lavoro necessario e ottimo.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much care and attention to detail - A great job by Martin Parr and Gerry Badger.