The Polaroid Book
Product ID: 47870751
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In existence for over 50 years, the Polaroid Corporation’s photography collection is the greatest portfolio of Polaroid images in the world. Begun by Polaroid founder Edwin Land and photographer Ansel Adams, the collection now includes images by hundreds of photographers throughout the world and contains important pieces by artists such as David Hockney, Helmut Newton, Jeanloup Sieff, and Robert Rauschenberg. The Polaroid Book, a survey of this remarkable collection, pays tribute to a medium that defies the digital age and remains a favorite among artists for its quirky look and instantly gratifying, one-of-a-kind images. over 400 works from the Polaroid Collections essay by Polaroid’s Barbara Hitchcock illuminating the beginnings and history of the collection technical reference section featuring the various types of Polaroid cameras Review: mysteries and marvels captured off the cuff - This is a very enjoyable book to go through like a slide show, allowing the photos to create visual patterns in the mind. They seem to be set out fairly randomly, and are listed again at the back with small illustrations, but this time alphabetically by photographer. It means you can, fairly easily, check on dates and titles, where there is a title. Most of them date from the 70s to mid-90s, and the range of possibilities is well explored, from abstraction to portraits to arty effects of superimposition etc. It is a wonderful medium, having a particular softness and spontaneity. The small scale of the images, the fact they require a minimum of technical processing, is a huge plus. Postcards offered the same visual potential, but have sadly become almost obsolete as a format for art, unlike the heyday of Art Unlimited in Amsterdam. But the polaroid seems to be hanging in there, and even to be staging a comeback, like vinyl. Also like vinyl, it has become inexplicably very expensive, and much less effective and easy than it was before. The images contained here date from when it was still straightforward. Where magical lighting is achieved, it seems to be a particular success given the lack of pretension of polaroids. Another advantage is that a number of the images may not be something you would be particularly interested in, but you are led to question why some things work for you and others don't. Repeated browsing may show them up to have more meaning than expected, and indifference turns to liking. For me the more straightforward images are usually more appealing: two wonderful, almost abstract still lifes in soft b/w; some shots by or under water; a figure with a raised pale blue t-shirt, from the back; a blurred hotel room with strange patches of light; a boy leaning against a rope of a marquis at the fair, with no one else in sight; a portrait of a plump woman posed like Rodin's thinker. A number of shots seem to hint at genuine mysteries of the visual world - it's always good to see these. Review: Great History of Polaroid Photography - Excellent book with some great and inspirational pictures many by famous photographers
| Best Sellers Rank | 594,246 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 294 in History of Photography 379 in Photo Essays (Books) 1,421 in Photography Techniques & Tools |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 595 Reviews |
S**G
mysteries and marvels captured off the cuff
This is a very enjoyable book to go through like a slide show, allowing the photos to create visual patterns in the mind. They seem to be set out fairly randomly, and are listed again at the back with small illustrations, but this time alphabetically by photographer. It means you can, fairly easily, check on dates and titles, where there is a title. Most of them date from the 70s to mid-90s, and the range of possibilities is well explored, from abstraction to portraits to arty effects of superimposition etc. It is a wonderful medium, having a particular softness and spontaneity. The small scale of the images, the fact they require a minimum of technical processing, is a huge plus. Postcards offered the same visual potential, but have sadly become almost obsolete as a format for art, unlike the heyday of Art Unlimited in Amsterdam. But the polaroid seems to be hanging in there, and even to be staging a comeback, like vinyl. Also like vinyl, it has become inexplicably very expensive, and much less effective and easy than it was before. The images contained here date from when it was still straightforward. Where magical lighting is achieved, it seems to be a particular success given the lack of pretension of polaroids. Another advantage is that a number of the images may not be something you would be particularly interested in, but you are led to question why some things work for you and others don't. Repeated browsing may show them up to have more meaning than expected, and indifference turns to liking. For me the more straightforward images are usually more appealing: two wonderful, almost abstract still lifes in soft b/w; some shots by or under water; a figure with a raised pale blue t-shirt, from the back; a blurred hotel room with strange patches of light; a boy leaning against a rope of a marquis at the fair, with no one else in sight; a portrait of a plump woman posed like Rodin's thinker. A number of shots seem to hint at genuine mysteries of the visual world - it's always good to see these.
D**T
Great History of Polaroid Photography
Excellent book with some great and inspirational pictures many by famous photographers
Q**N
Great 'Coffee-Table' Book
Another great 'coffee-table' book to have just lying around the house. People will pick it up, flick through it and offer their opinions. For £7 it is a bargain for a diverse range of polaroid photographs in a beautifully presented book and glossy cover. I felt oddly nostalgic looking at it - I find it a little sad that digital cameras overtook the instant prints. There's a sense of fun to polaroids and capturing the moment when it's not entirely polished or able to be edited. This book would make a great gift for anyone interested in photography or art. You are bound to find a few photographs that catch your eye.
G**N
Great value coffee table book
It's completely hipster but sold for much more in some certain stores I've seen and makes a great coffee table book. Honestly that's all I bought it for and for the price I can't complain! It also makes a great gift that doesn't break the bank
A**E
Excellent quality
Gorgeous book, excellent quality. Bought as a gift for my sister in law who is big into photography and has an instax camera. I'm sure she will be thrilled.
L**Y
Great book
The delivery arrived quickly. The book has a great collection of images and is great for the coffee table. I would highly recommend
L**K
If you are into Polaroid and just want ideas - this is the book
Loved the book. Everything had hoped for and got. Thank you.
C**T
Great coffee table book
I had expected more content on the cameras then the small amount in the back but imstill very happy with my purchace esp as it arrived so fast
G**7
Schöne Bilder und günstiger Preis!
Wenn man Polaroid Fotografie mag, sollte man sich dieses Buch auf jeden Fall kaufen! Für "Kunstbuch" hat viele Seiten und ist vor allem günstig. Im Vergleich zu richtigen Kunstbüchern, deren Preis oftmals erst bei 50€ anfängt. Auch wenn es sich um ein etwas größeres Taschenbuch handelt! Die Seiten sind kunstvoll minimalistisch mit viel Weissraum gestaltet. Die Bilder sind gut gewählt und abwechslungsreich. Mal nur ein einzelnes Bild, mal eine Collage! Für den Preis und die Anzahl der Seiten auf jeden Fall ein klare Kaufempfehlung!
P**R
Instant Camera Karma
Great Book. If you love Polaroid cameras and photos as I do then this is a "Must Have." Digital photography is wonderful but buying my first Polaroid "Swinger" was a life changing event. The joy and anticipation of an instant photograph defined my "I want it now" generation. This books shows the work of many photographers who understood the value of the moment and appreciated the unique character of Polaroid film. That character comes thru on every page. It also includes a short essay on Edwin Land's meeting with Ansel Adams and a timeline of Polaroid cameras (except for the Polavision movie camera). Thanks Taschen for this and all the wonderful books you do and thanks Edwin Land.
E**A
Simplemente Hermoso
Excelente!! Llego con excelente cuidado en el empaque, sin problemas y en el tiempo acordado. El libro esta excelente!! muy buena calidad. La relación de precio y calidad supero mis expectativas. Lo recomiendo ampliamente
R**A
Excelente livro.
Correspondeu completamente às minhas expectativas!
K**N
Super
Très bon livre pour découvrir le monde de la photographie en polaroid, je recommande
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