Mary McCartney: From Where I Stand

by Mary McCartney, Chrissie Hynde (Foreword), Peter Blake (Introduction)

From Where I Stand is photographer Mary McCartney’s first book, introducing the very best work spanning her career from the mid-1990s to the present. These images are a reflection not only of Mary’s personal world, but also of the unique relationships she establishes with the people she photographs. She constantly seeks to put her subjects at ease, watching and waiting for them to let the camera in rather than imposing any formal ideas of composition or technique. The book is centered around an outstanding collection of portraits, from 50s-inspired rockabillies to Paul and Linda McCartney, Madonna, Bono, Debbie Harry, Elvis Costello, Dennis Hopper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Moss. Here are amazing people, places, and events as seen through Mary’s the intimacy of backstage preparations among the corps de ballet at the Royal Opera House; the raw energy of fashion shows and rock concerts, both on stage and off; the private spaces of home and family; and wittily observed vignettes of visual delight.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really great photos, and some I thought were just OK. I did enjoy looking at the book. I wonder if the photographs would have been so interesting if most of the subjects weren't famous?

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only okay. It's not that organized thematically. It seems random, haphazard.
Not uninteresting, there's nothing not to like, but I only found two photographs to pause over and linger on. One is a long, wide shot of McCartney's parents on an empty beach in Scotland 1995. You can't see who they are but their body language is cheerful and intimate and the location is just dreamy. The other is a sort-of portrait of a woman whose name I don't recognize as she's sitting next to a washing machine with a book (recipes? travel book?) in her lap and some cigarettes nearby. Her hair is in braids and she's covering her eyes and she's next to an open window (Sian Murphy, London, 2004). That picture makes me curious. She looks tired. I wonder why.
I also wonder how the cover pictures get chosen out of all the possibilities. I'd just like to eavesdrop on those conversations. The cover picture I like is of Elizabeth Jagger laughing in what seems like a real girlfriend moment. The back cover is of -- oh! Kate Moss's back. Well then.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a review or two somewhere that seemed to think Mary McCartney was one of those girls who found herself with a camera and the ability to 'click the shutter' and then labeled herself a photographer. Read: She has no talent.

I am not a photographer so perhaps my opinion doesn't mean much, but I didn't find that to be true at all. I think she does have talent and is her mother's daughter! Her photos were beautiful, though certainly more sensual than her mother's, but also often containing a mysterious air.

And to my surprise, one of the photographs was of the Duchess of Devonshire! (Known to all us Mitfordians as "Debo".) It was very strange to see the overlap of two of my manias (the Mitfords and the McCartneys) which really have little in common.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

McCartney’s photographs focus on famous people and that helps because they are generally photogenic and therefore create captivating images. Her photographs have a certain appeal in seeing famous faces caught in honest moments. However, I did prefer her other photographs as they were of landscapes and had a certain dusky brown, white and black feel to them. They seem anonymous, being quite stark and absent and very different from the celebrity photos. Like her mother she has an eye for the moment. This book is wonderful to browse through and relax over with a cup of coffee. She is a sure talent.

[Deirdre Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The daughter of Beatle Paul is very talented in her own right. I love her backstage photos of the Royal Ballet and sister Stella's fashion shows. A great additin to your ophotography book collection.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I just read this book because I adore the McCartney family. But Mary truly does have talent.
I wasn't interested in the photos of famous people (though her Helen Mirren portrait was striking), but I really enjoyed the backstage ballet photos, as well as images of ordinary people.

[Angie H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos!

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a collection of photographs.

Some of the images were striking but overall I wasn't captivated by any of the pictures and I must admit to not knowing who most of the people were.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant photography, brilliant observations, beautiful book.