Photographs

by Robert Capa, Cornell Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson

Robert Photographs is a major retrospective of one of the century’s greatest photographers. Drawing upon hundreds of previously unseen images, this collection reveals Capa as one of the great poets of the camera. In these photographs, we see the world through the eyes of a driven humanist who was also a documentarian of the highest caliber. While previous volumes on Capa have focused on his role as a war photographer, Robert Photographs shows us the remarkable range of his the sufferings as well as the tenderness, humor, and wonder of his subjects. The extraordinary book includes poignant comments by Capa’s close friend Henri Cartier-Bresson and by Cornell Capa (Robert’s younger brother and the Founding Director of the International Center of Photography), as well as a historical essay by Robert Capa biographer Richard Whelan. The dramatic collection of images in Robert Photographs shows that he captured―through the events of history―the very heart of humanity.

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

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 1969

About the author

Robert Capa (born Endre Ernő Friedmann) was a Hungarian–American war photographer and photojournalist. He is considered by some to be the greatest combat and adventure photographer in history.

Friedman had fled political repression in Hungary when he was a teenager, moving to Berlin, where he enrolled in college. He witnessed the rise of Hitler, which led him to move to Paris, where he met and began to work with his professional partner Gerda Taro, and they began to publish their work separately. Capa's deep friendship with David Seymour-Chim was captured in Martha Gellhorn's novella, Two by Two. He subsequently covered five wars: the Spanish Civil War, the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II across Europe, the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, and the First Indochina War, with his photos published in major magazines and newspapers.

During his career he risked his life numerous times, most dramatically as the only civilian photographer landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He documented the course of World War II in London, North Africa, Italy, and the liberation of Paris. His friends and colleagues included Ernest Hemingway, Irwin Shaw, John Steinbeck and director John Huston.

In 1947, for his work recording World War II in pictures, U.S. general Dwight D. Eisenhower awarded Capa the Medal of Freedom. That same year, Capa co-founded Magnum Photos in Paris. The organization was the first cooperative agency for worldwide freelance photographers. Hungary has issued a stamp and a gold coin in his honor.

He was killed when he stepped on a landmine in Vietnam.

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.