Robert Capa: Photographs

by Richard Whelan, Robert Capa (Photographer), Henri Cartier-Bresson (Photographer)

In an almost novelistic fashion, the pictures--presented chronologically--tell as much about the photographer as they do about the times Capa was chronicling. --Margarett Loke, ARTnews
“His coverage of the Spanish civil war established Capa's reputation as a peerless battlefield photojournalist... But he was also a man who loved making pictures of beautiful women, famous men and grand parties. Often overlooked when discussing the Capa legacy, those too, were his life's work. Both Capas--the raconteur of high society and the fearless witness to war--are evident in Robert Photographs . The two sides of Capa's work may seem irreconcilable, but they're not. He was recording one world. His own.”
--Allison Adato, Life Magazine

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, History, Hungary, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 1969

Reviews

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

One wonders whether people in the mid-20th century were ever not smoking cigarettes.

[Larraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had always thought of Robert Capa as a war photographer, but he was really so much more. This book compiles some of his most famous photos, some of which I had seen in other books, others that were new to me. He was quite the celebrity when he was alive and his photographs reflect his friendships with some of them. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in photography and/or history.

[Carlos Filipe Bernardino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declaration of interest: I like the work and quality of Robert Capa's photographs.
The book pleases because it makes the photographs speak, the choice of published photos is correct, and it has the necessary and sufficient text to understand the photographer.

[Pino Magliani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro un po raro ma imperdibile per ogni fotografo ma anche per chi semplicemente ama la fotografia.

[Choura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enrichissant

[Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding collection of photographs that provide a time capsule into the mid-20th century events that shaped the world by the master Photographer Robert Capa.
Events and subjects captured:
The Spanish Civil War including the iconic photo of a loyalist militiaman caught at the moment of his death.
France in the late 30's
Mexico elections in 1940 where violence was the rule
China in 1938 invaded by Japan
World War including D-Day
Germany in 1945 and the last days of the war
Israel from 1948-1950
Capa's many friends: Picasso, Hemingway, Matisse, Truman Capote, Bogart...

A gem of a collection... finishing with the final photograph taken by Capa on May 25, 1954... minutes before the following...
Capa... "accompanied a French mission to evacuate and raze two small forts between Mandinh and Thaibinh. While the convoy was halted at one point, Capa went with a detachment of soldeirs out into a field beside the road. He stepped on an antipersonnel mine and was killed."

[David Gallin-Parisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Capa's photographs of war, celebrities, and blurry movement are almost impossible to look at without feeling overwhelming compassion. Capa's approach to photo journalism leads to documenting the Vietnam War in a extremem close-up, get everything possible, and speed is essential process. And a process that isn't used as much anymore. My favorite pictures of 1940s Sicily are contained in this volume. People walking down the street carrying wrapped up packages. Capa's work fits in the sweet spot of between art and journalism, which then encompasses all of the above. Activists, realists, and celebrity image seekers must check out Capa's photos.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the subtitle of this particular Shelfari edition is Photographs from Israel, 1948-1950, the edition I have contains photographs from other series of Capa photographs, including, Spain 1936-1939 (the Spanish Civil War), Italy 1943-1944, France 1944 (Normandy, the liberation of Paris), Germany 1945, Eastern Europe 1947-1949, Friends (Hemingway, Matisse, Picasso, John Huston, Ingrid Bergman), and more—about 160 photographs in all. While on assignment in Indochina in 1954, Robert Capa stepped on an antipersonnel mine and was killed.

[Frances Sawaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased after his exhibition in Dublin. Saved for us to look through now and again for his insights into the world we live and die in. Remarkable stuff! Can't really say thatI have "finished" this book.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are quite a few RC pictures missing here that should have been included. But how can I give it anything other than 5 stars. His story is heartbreaking.