Personal Best

by Elliott Erwitt (Photographer), Sean Callahan

Elliott Erwitt personally selected this stunning collection of work, two thirds of which have never been published before. The generous format of the book and large number of double-page spreads allow you to admire the master's technique and the artistry up close. Every image is photography at its most ebullient and life-enhancing and each reflects the scope of Erwitt's perceptive and eclectic eye. Here is a fitting tribute to this Magnum photographer who has shot such Hollywood legends as Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe, yet whose delight in everyday irony has captured many witty moments, including his famous portraits of people and their dogs. The full range of Erwitt's genius on display in this magnificent volume including photographs of Kruschev and Nixon in Moscow in 1959, Tehran in 1967 and a tender moment at a wedding in Israel in 1962.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Elliott Erwitt (born Elio Romano Erwitz) is an advertising and journalistic photographer known for his black and white candid shots of ironic and absurd situations within everyday settings -- the master of the "indecisive moment".

Reviews

[Owlseyes]

“Don’t buy my book,” he said. “It’s much too heavy to carry on the plane.”
“I came to New York to start a career,” he said. “I had the good luck of meeting Steichen, Capa and Roy Stryker, and they were instrumental in getting me my first jobs. And that was it.”

in: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03...

[Alex Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this 10 out of 5 stars I would. I found and bought this yesterday and now it’s one of my most prized possessions. I almost don’t even want to say anything other than to extend an indefinite invitation to anyone to just look through these with me any time.

It should be no surprise that this collection is as good as it is given at least the scope (an entire lifetime of photos) and range of opportunities (a photo journalist with access to everyone from Castro to Kennedy), but it somehow exceeded my high expectations. I was alternating between audibly cursing at how striking some of the compositions were, laughing at the slick humor weaved throughout, and calling Lydia over to look at all of the perfect dog photos (which are all unbelievable in their own right, especially interwoven between photos of Khrushchev and Parisian streets).

Obligatory favorite photo from my first look through: a photo of a bride and presumably her groom in a crowd, obscured by the looming silhouette of a man very close in the foreground. Her half smile is intoxicating. Astounding composition. (When looking just now to see where it was from, I must unfortunately disclaim the photo was taken of settlers in occupied Palestine, but incredible photo nonetheless.)

Simply come over and look through this with me. It’s too big for me to bring it to you.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly 450 amazing photos organized into informal themes so that an image often illuminates the one that precede or follow it. Worth viewing slowly, and repeatedly.

[Eric Byrd]

I'm drooling. I need this.