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Alex Webb The Suffering of Light /anglais
The Suffering of Light is the first comprehensive monograph charting the career of acclaimed American photographer Alex Webb. Gathering some of his most iconic images, many of which were taken in the far corners of the earth, this exquisite book brings a fresh perspective to his extensive catalog. Recognized as a pioneer of American color photography since the 1970s, Webb has consistently created photographs characterized by intense color and light. His work, with its richly layered and complex composition, touches on multiple genres, including street photography, photojournalism, and fine art, but as Webb claims, "to me it all is photography. You have to go out and explore the world with a camera." Webb's ability to distill gesture, color and contrasting cultural tensions into single, beguiling frames results in evocative images that convey a sense of enigma, irony and humor. Featuring key works alongside previously unpublished photographs, The Suffering of Light provides the most thorough examination to date of this modern master's prolific, 30-year career.
The photographs of Alex Webb (born 1952) have appeared in a wide range of publications, including The New York Times Magazine, Life, Stern and National Geographic, and have been exhibited at the International Center of Photography, New York; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. He is a recipient of the Leica Medal of Excellence (2000) and the Premio Internacional de Fotografia Alcobendas (2009). A member of Magnum Photos since 1976, Webb lives in New York City.
The photographs of Alex Webb (born 1952) have appeared in a wide range of publications, including The New York Times Magazine, Life, Stern and National Geographic, and have been exhibited at the International Center of Photography, New York; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. He is a recipient of the Leica Medal of Excellence (2000) and the Premio Internacional de Fotografia Alcobendas (2009). A member of Magnum Photos since 1976, Webb lives in New York City.
203 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 15, 2024
We begin with brief thoughts by the author. Then follows huge reproductions exploding in vibrant eye popping color.
Webb turned his camera towards various streets across the globe, including those in those in Haiti, Cuba , Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Turkey and parts of Florida. His style consists of color, stark color contrasts, light play and varied lines. These little worlds unto themselves so bewitch the viewer that one can barely accept their spontaneity.
Sometimes I look at a page and wonder what the hell is going on? Often what seems like reality is just the trompe d’oil of billboards and poster, reflections from glass or mirrors, or of the highly polished body of an old car.
Webb also plays with scale. He frames images within images and dramatically exposes shadows, adding further visual complexity.
But it’s so easy to lose yourself in the sheer sensuousness of these pictures, you might forget that in his photography Webb also reveals some of the most impoverished areas in the world. In addition to beauty, one also feels heat, dirt, desperation and deprivation. The question nags as to whether in creating these works of art, Webb also exploits his subjects. I think such a question plagues the work of many photographers.
The book concludes with an insightful afterward by Geoff Dryer and the desire to seek out more publications featuring Webb’s work.
Webb turned his camera towards various streets across the globe, including those in those in Haiti, Cuba , Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Turkey and parts of Florida. His style consists of color, stark color contrasts, light play and varied lines. These little worlds unto themselves so bewitch the viewer that one can barely accept their spontaneity.
Sometimes I look at a page and wonder what the hell is going on? Often what seems like reality is just the trompe d’oil of billboards and poster, reflections from glass or mirrors, or of the highly polished body of an old car.
Webb also plays with scale. He frames images within images and dramatically exposes shadows, adding further visual complexity.
But it’s so easy to lose yourself in the sheer sensuousness of these pictures, you might forget that in his photography Webb also reveals some of the most impoverished areas in the world. In addition to beauty, one also feels heat, dirt, desperation and deprivation. The question nags as to whether in creating these works of art, Webb also exploits his subjects. I think such a question plagues the work of many photographers.
The book concludes with an insightful afterward by Geoff Dryer and the desire to seek out more publications featuring Webb’s work.
May 15, 2017
Alex Webb is a photographer I have admired aesthetically since I started to walk towards the artform. But today, while I was reading and discussing his works with my mentors (who are great photographers), they pointed out that his works are too perfect in terms of technicality. In other words, his works become predictable, although extremely hard to imitate.
I recommend this book to anyone who is planning to pursue the artform as a street photographer. Although his artworks lack the emotional accessibility, in order to understand the rules, Alex Webb is the best out in the world to teach one the rules necessary for a street photographer.
I recommend this book to anyone who is planning to pursue the artform as a street photographer. Although his artworks lack the emotional accessibility, in order to understand the rules, Alex Webb is the best out in the world to teach one the rules necessary for a street photographer.
December 17, 2023
The Suffering of Light: Treinta años de fotografías de Alex Webb es un libro que me dejó sin aliento, es una celebración impresionante de la carrera de uno de los mejores fotógrafos y es un testimonio del poder de la fotografía para contar historias, captar emociones y transportarnos a lugares lejanos.
Webb es conocido por su uso vibrante del color, su composición dinámica y su capacidad para capturar la intensidad y la complejidad de la vida cotidiana en todo el mundo. Sus fotografías abarcan una amplia gama de temas, desde retratos íntimos hasta escenas callejeras bulliciosas, paisajes evocadores y momentos de conflicto humanitario.
El libro está organizado cronológicamente, lo que permite a los lectores seguir el desarrollo artístico de Webb a lo largo de tres décadas. Comienza con sus primeros trabajos en Puerto Rico, donde Webb comenzó a desarrollar su estilo característico de mezclar colores vivos y composiciones complejas. Luego, nos lleva a través de sus viajes por América Latina, África, Asia y Europa, donde Webb capturó la belleza y la diversidad del mundo.
Las fotografías de Webb son visualmente impresionantes. Los colores son vibrantes y vivos, y las composiciones son dinámicas y llenas de energía. Webb tiene un ojo para los detalles, y sus fotografías están llenas de momentos inesperados y conmovedores, también son emocionalmente resonantes. Capturan la alegría, la tristeza, el amor, la pérdida y la lucha por la supervivencia. Webb nos conecta con personas de todo el mundo, y sus fotografías nos hacen sentir algo.
The Suffering of Light es un libro que te dejará inspirado y con ganas de ver el mundo a través de los ojos de Alex Webb. Es un libro que te hará pensar, sentir y soñar.
Webb es conocido por su uso vibrante del color, su composición dinámica y su capacidad para capturar la intensidad y la complejidad de la vida cotidiana en todo el mundo. Sus fotografías abarcan una amplia gama de temas, desde retratos íntimos hasta escenas callejeras bulliciosas, paisajes evocadores y momentos de conflicto humanitario.
El libro está organizado cronológicamente, lo que permite a los lectores seguir el desarrollo artístico de Webb a lo largo de tres décadas. Comienza con sus primeros trabajos en Puerto Rico, donde Webb comenzó a desarrollar su estilo característico de mezclar colores vivos y composiciones complejas. Luego, nos lleva a través de sus viajes por América Latina, África, Asia y Europa, donde Webb capturó la belleza y la diversidad del mundo.
Las fotografías de Webb son visualmente impresionantes. Los colores son vibrantes y vivos, y las composiciones son dinámicas y llenas de energía. Webb tiene un ojo para los detalles, y sus fotografías están llenas de momentos inesperados y conmovedores, también son emocionalmente resonantes. Capturan la alegría, la tristeza, el amor, la pérdida y la lucha por la supervivencia. Webb nos conecta con personas de todo el mundo, y sus fotografías nos hacen sentir algo.
The Suffering of Light es un libro que te dejará inspirado y con ganas de ver el mundo a través de los ojos de Alex Webb. Es un libro que te hará pensar, sentir y soñar.
September 13, 2025
alex webb u will always be famous ❤️ definitely will be thinking about his work every time i take a photo
December 7, 2025
Uno de los fotógrafos que más admiro es Alex Webb, qué manera de hacer imágenes, qué estilo tan característico. En este libro se reúnen sus fotografías más representativas, varias de las mejores. De comienzo a fin, cada una nos muestra calidad. Se ve que Alex Webb tiene muchas influencias, una de ellas, sin duda para mí, es Robert Frank, quien buscaba fotos más gestuales y donde el contenido sobresalía sobre lo técnico. Alex Webb parece seguir este patrón, pero en su caso trata de no descuidar tampoco lo estético, para él es tan importante el contenido como lo estético, sin dejar de considerar que, si una foto le sale algo barrida, no importa si el contenido y lo estético salen favorecidos.
Alex Webb también toma mucho en cuenta la pregunta de cómo son sus sujetos a fotografiar, entendiendo esto como las personas o los países a retratar. Lo mismo hacía Robert Frank, él se preguntó sobre la manera de ser de los estadounidenses y Alex Webb hace lo propio sobre los haitianos, los mexicanos, los turcos, los cubanos, entre otros, aunque en su caso, deja que su trabajo sea dominado un poco más por lo estético en color que por su opinión.
El trabajo de Alex Webb en color es genial, es un maestro en este género. El color no es fácil, es generalmente caótico y fácil de echar a perder, pero a Webb parece que esta dificultad le tiene sin cuidado, sabe cómo tratarlo desde la toma para no preocuparse tanto en el revelado.
Este fotógrafo es muy famoso, muy relevante, es de lo mejor que hay hoy en el mundo. Es muy fácil caer en la tentación de imitarlo y querer ser como él. Esto implica un pequeño riesgo, el ser muy evidente. Sin embargo, creo que, si esa imitación es honesta en el sentido de ver su trabajo como una influencia y una enseñanza, puede dar resultados fascinantes y aprendizajes muy valiosos. Por eso, no hay que tener miedo a tomarlo como guía, como gurú, porque su influencia seguramente redundará en una mejora, en primera instancia técnica, y, en segunda, en el estilo.
Este libro es una joya, que todavía se consigue en las librerías en línea, lo recomiendo bastante.
Alex Webb también toma mucho en cuenta la pregunta de cómo son sus sujetos a fotografiar, entendiendo esto como las personas o los países a retratar. Lo mismo hacía Robert Frank, él se preguntó sobre la manera de ser de los estadounidenses y Alex Webb hace lo propio sobre los haitianos, los mexicanos, los turcos, los cubanos, entre otros, aunque en su caso, deja que su trabajo sea dominado un poco más por lo estético en color que por su opinión.
El trabajo de Alex Webb en color es genial, es un maestro en este género. El color no es fácil, es generalmente caótico y fácil de echar a perder, pero a Webb parece que esta dificultad le tiene sin cuidado, sabe cómo tratarlo desde la toma para no preocuparse tanto en el revelado.
Este fotógrafo es muy famoso, muy relevante, es de lo mejor que hay hoy en el mundo. Es muy fácil caer en la tentación de imitarlo y querer ser como él. Esto implica un pequeño riesgo, el ser muy evidente. Sin embargo, creo que, si esa imitación es honesta en el sentido de ver su trabajo como una influencia y una enseñanza, puede dar resultados fascinantes y aprendizajes muy valiosos. Por eso, no hay que tener miedo a tomarlo como guía, como gurú, porque su influencia seguramente redundará en una mejora, en primera instancia técnica, y, en segunda, en el estilo.
Este libro es una joya, que todavía se consigue en las librerías en línea, lo recomiendo bastante.
March 25, 2025
Overrated.
There are a few interesting photographs, but for the whole part, it seems very experimental or unremarkable. The composition of many photographs is all over the place, and there's too many distracting elements. I think that it will please art students more than street photography aficionados.
On the plus side, the book is quite well presented and has a very large format, which allows for an easier appreciation of the photographs.
There are a few interesting photographs, but for the whole part, it seems very experimental or unremarkable. The composition of many photographs is all over the place, and there's too many distracting elements. I think that it will please art students more than street photography aficionados.
On the plus side, the book is quite well presented and has a very large format, which allows for an easier appreciation of the photographs.
August 11, 2024
I used to hate contrast, but after "reading" this beautiful piece of art, its seems like this is no longer the case.
My world perception has changed and now I can see things I normally wouldn't. If you are a beginner, amateur, stupid, or all the options (like me), this book is a transformative journey.
For that, it deserves 5 stars and I whole-heartedly recommend it to everyone.
My world perception has changed and now I can see things I normally wouldn't. If you are a beginner, amateur, stupid, or all the options (like me), this book is a transformative journey.
For that, it deserves 5 stars and I whole-heartedly recommend it to everyone.
December 24, 2025
I was inexplicably drawn to this book by the harsh shadows that play so powerfully across the page. Webb’s light holds emotion deep within darkness, ignited by the relentless contrast of natural light.
September 13, 2024
simply a masterpiece of composition
January 5, 2023
Compendio de algunas de las fotografías más importantes de Alex Webb desde que se pasó al color, allá por 1975. Vibrantes, saturadas, congestionadas de acción.
July 16, 2019
Stunning.
This is the first photobook I have read by Alex Webb, but after watching quite a few YouTube documentaries, the book is astounding and highly recommended to get the full benefit of his colour portfolio.
The technical side of these photos are another level and I can see myself reading the book many times in the immediate future, to get some much needed inspiration.
I like the form factor of the book, providing nicely sized photos with suitable negative space on the pages, to draw your eye to the images.
An absolute must for street photography or photography folk.
This is the first photobook I have read by Alex Webb, but after watching quite a few YouTube documentaries, the book is astounding and highly recommended to get the full benefit of his colour portfolio.
The technical side of these photos are another level and I can see myself reading the book many times in the immediate future, to get some much needed inspiration.
I like the form factor of the book, providing nicely sized photos with suitable negative space on the pages, to draw your eye to the images.
An absolute must for street photography or photography folk.
February 26, 2017
Mr. Webb has a wonderful ability to catch compelling patterns in his photography that always include one or more humans to give the picture scale and comprehension. We can relate to the people in the frame as they go about their daily tasks. His mastery of color allows for full saturation combined with underexposed figures whose dark silhouettes add drama to the compositions. This book is a visual treat for the eyes and the soul.
December 16, 2013
Sam Abell recommended Alex Webb as an innovative photographer - and this book shows why. Webb's current focus is on Cuba (with his wife) and Istanbul - and the bright colors and great compositions are beautiful.
October 14, 2016
This beautifully printed large volume is a terrific journey through the sublime work of an absolute master of street photography, colour and poetry, as well as the wonderful places he keeps returning to.
December 21, 2015
Fucking incredible.
January 24, 2012
Fantastic retrospective.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews