Steve McCurry: The Iconic Photographs
Reviews (216)
Breathtaking book
To be perfectly honest, I ordered this book as soon as it was announced, then waited months while it was being made. In that time I developed a thought that it requires some serious nerve for any photographer to publish a book titled "the Iconic Photographs" while still alive. When the book arrived I was somewhat consumed with the idea of how can anyone possible declare his own images to be iconic. Well, I stand corrected, Steve McCurry have delivered a fantastic collection of images, well worthy of the Iconic Photographs label. The book is filled with images reflecting on images rather than religious obsession with technical data, and I am impressed to see Steve have included images where focus or exposure may not be "technically entirely accurate" however the images, the moment and the composition simply are so strong and magnificent that discussing technical data is meaningless. On a related note, the book show images captured with everything from film to high-end 24+megapix cameras, and a historical progression clearly showing the fingerprints of some of the earlier digital slr cameras, but through this Steve McCurry carries the same tone and look. To me this is a iconic book for the reason that it is about images, magnificent images. For a moment forget the price of this book, and simply enjoy the sheer magnificence of a huge book of photography. Each page another outstanding moment captured and printed. I am completely delighted with this book. and yes, Steve you are forgiven for declaring your work iconic. it IS.!
I'm delighted with this purchase
The eye on this man is tremendous, and the skill of the editor in putting together this volume of work is stupendous. WELL worth the money for some of Steve McCurry's gorgeous photographs. The double page spreads in this oversized book... you can pour over every inch forever. I'm delighted with this purchase, let me tell you. If you like McCurry's work, this one is a must have.
McCurry"s Magnum Opus
I'll try not to repeat what other reviewers have said or what the product is described as by the manufacturer. Regarding the version I received from Amazon: the cover sheath that the book comes in is black unlike the pink one in the photograph. The book is bound in blue silk (like the product photo). The signed print is well placed inside the front cover of the book. The reproduction is superb and the paper is exceptionally thick. The publisher, Phaidon, could have done a better job in packing the product in a larger shipping box, but mine arrived with no real damage to speak of. It's a marvelous collection of McCurry's career thus far. The prints are so big at times you feel as if you are right behind the camera taking the photo with McCurry. Most photo books don't give you that sensation as the prints are often less than half the size of the ones found here. It's not as big as Helmet Newton's "SUMO" (full size version) or other offerings from Tachen like "GOAT", but in some ways it's better because it's big but not too big. Unlike some other massive photo books, you can sit down in a chair and leaf through it or lay it on a table or even the floor, which ever suits you best. The fact that only 3300 of these books have been made and that it is signed by McCurry make it an obvious collectors item. It's worth it.
Beautiful photos / huge book
This book contains beautiful reproductions of some of the best of McCurry's amazing portfolio. The photos are well chosen, and the print work is top notch. You should be aware that even by photo book standards, this is a HUGE book - 15 inches tall - but all of that space does lend itself to extraordinary detail in the photos. Some of the photos are split across the fold, but the quality of the binding is such that its actually not too distracting. Steve McCurry is deservedly one of the world's most acclaimed photographers and after viewing this book, you'll be in no doubt as to why.
I’m so in love with this book
I’m so in love with this book. I used to rotate my coffee table books but I get so many complements on this one and it is visually stunning to look at so it just stay on my table and I open it to a different page every week
Sublime book with sublime photographs. I'm even tempted to take out the pages and frame them! :)
Its very well built and very elegant from outside and inside. Is not massive but its a big book with such a beautiful cover. As you can see on the description it does have a large number of photographs yet it doesn't contain All of Mccurry's greats, at least to my opinion. I do have one small complaint, some photographs came with little white dots of what I think is residue of paper, cleaning the pages is not that easy, one needs to be careful not to scratch the photographs since those particules or dots are kinda stuck.
Gorgeous, gorgeous book...
No point trying to talk about the images. Wise decision to just print them without captions or anything else next to them, not even page numbers. There's probably no point either in adding to the chorus of complaints about pictures ruined by splitting them on two pages-- I just can't help it... Some images survive it, most don't. At least have someone with a brain pick them! Suffice to say some of the thumbnails at the end look better than the two-page spread. Still, beautiful photographs. Even if you also have McCurry's Portraits or similar, don't even think about it! It's well worth it. I bet the other photographs wish he never met *that* girl :)
Amazing photobook
I purchased this as a gift for my bf who is a photographer and huge fan of Steve McCurry's. He absolutely loved it, the book is HUGE, and the photographs are breathtaking. Really great collector's item as it is signed and only a limited number of copies made. I got this for an AMAZING deal since one day it was listed for a quarter of the retail price, brand new... don't know how that happened. Such a great photobook It's worth it even at full price.
amazing images, great printing quality
wow, what a book, big, bold, amazing images, great printing quality. As amazing as it is it's also depressing because I know I can never come even close to creating such a body of images, I also own McCurry's India book but if I could buy just one of his books I think this would be it.
Iconic
inspirational, exotic, truly beautiful. Documents far better than any journalism the real in justice of poverty and the dignity of those who have struggled under it for centuries compared to the vulgarity of the Western World. Nothing shows despair, hope and love so eloquently.
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