Magnum: Fifty Years at the Front Line of History: The Story of the Legendary Photo Agency
- Book Review,
by Russell Miller
Amazon.com
"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough," said Robert Capa, the legendary photojournalist who, with Henri Cartier-Bresson and other documentary shooters, founded the Magnum press agency in 1947. Capa got close to the action, of course; he died under fire in Indo-China in 1954, seeking the perfect image of war. Other Magnum photographers died in places like Afghanistan, Israel, and Chechnya, always at the forefront of battle and strife, always with an eye on capturing history as it unfolded. In this well-written study of their work, British journalist Russell Miller shows how their images have changed the ways in which we respond to war, politics, and crises. --Gregory McNamee
The Wall Street Journal, Taylor Holliday
So even though the book has caused the "Magnumites" to squirm since its publication in Britain last year, most of it comes directly from their own mouths, impeccably interpreted by the author. In true Magnum style, it's more than a few snapshots, but rather an extended photo essay, in words.... [A]ll the founders come alive, as do the singular experiences of successive generations of members. The book is chock-full of revelatory stories behind unforgettable images.
The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review, Leslie Cockburn
...[the] collective war stories told in Magnum are so good that they more than make up for the pitfalls of writing about the deliberately free-form, chaotic agency the founders created over drinks at the Museum of Modern Art in the spring of 1947.
From Booklist
Miller's history of the famous cooperative photo agency Magnum is unauthorized--no surprise, that, for one thing to count on in Magnum is disagreement. After all, "there has only ever been one rule guiding Magnum," says Magnum member Sebastian Salgado, "and that is the rule of anarchy--it is because of this anarchy we have been able to do so many things." Despite that lack of approval, Miller was able to base his lively and fascinating account on lengthy interviews with all current members except Bruce Davidson and Gilles Peress, and it all seems quite credible--at times, credibly incredible. Magnum's role in photojournalism can't be overemphasized, for the quality of the work done and for Magnum's historic role in keeping copyrights for its photographers. Not that the members' business savvy is underemphasized: despite its fame, the agency has been in almost perpetual financial crisis. It stumbles on, part dysfunctional family, part brilliant brotherhood of talent. Miller affords a rich feast of personalities, adventure, world conflicts, and the issues of journalistic ethics. Gretchen Garner
From Kirkus Reviews
A profile of one of the most influential and prestigious photo agencies in the world, told through the lives of its founding members. On the occasion of Magnums 50th anniversary, Miller, a British journalist and author of ten books, has written a lively, sympathetic history of the organization and the characters who defined it. Magnum has always been synonymous with outrageous talent. Founded by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, David Seymour, and George Rodger in 1947, the agency was intended to release its members from the dictates of magazine editors and allow them greater artistic freedom and copyright control. Its cooperative mandate, for which Capaa charming hedonist and talented war photographerwas responsible, immediately set it apart from other purely commercial ventures. So did the visions of its founding members. With their lightweight Leica and Contax cameras, Capa and his brethren were able to travel to the most distant lands and dangerous conflicts and bring back images that mesmerized the world. Miller skillfully juxtaposes their compelling storiesof military offensives, celebrity-gilded parties, and perfect shotswith equally detailed information about the more quotidian challenges they faced, from rivalry to financial ruin. Miller devotes an entire chapter to the story of Eugene Smith, a brilliant photographer who joined Magnum in 1955 and subsequently wreaked havoc. Although he was known to be difficult, few of his peers anticipated that he would not only endanger the agency financially (he borrowed thousands from it to support his drug and alcohol addictions) but also divide its ranks. By the time he resigned, his fellow photographers were relieved, yet still compassionatetypical, Miller believes, of Magnums solidarity. Even those members who have decided to resign, Miller writes, almost invariably leave with some smatterings of regret. Miller debunks lingering myths about the agency and provides an entertaining account of the mesh and fray of personalities associated with it. (16 pages b&w photos) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Since Magnum was founded in 1947, its members have been on hand to bear witness on the front line of world history. From Robert Capa's stark photograph of a Loyalist soldier being shot in the head during the Spanish Civil War to Eve Arnold's astonishingly intimate portraits of well-known faces - from Joan Crawford to Malcolm X - Magnum has changed how we perceive our political leaders, social crises, and the communities next door. Magnum's photographers are some of the most talented, brave, and resourceful in the world: the founders, Robert Capa, David Seymour, George Rodger, and Henri Cartier-Bresson; and recruits, including Eve Arnold, Bruce Davidson, Mary Ellen Mark, Susan Meiselas, Inge Morath, James Nachtwey, Eugene Richards, and Sebastiao Salgado. Magnum follows them on assignment, facing bodyguards and visa troubles and taking to the risk-filled trenches of several wars for the perfect shot. Full of wonderful stories and heroic feats, Magnum is an essential volume for anyone interested in photography or photojournalism.
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