What’s up photography fans? It’s Martin from All About Street Photography channel and I just got myself a new book, Martin Parr’s Retrospective by Val Williams, and I have to say I really like this book. So, today’s video is going to by my short review of the book, what I think about it, what you can expect, and if it is worth to buy it for you. So, let’s check it out.

I was working on my new video about Martin Parr, and I was looking for information and eventually reached out to Martin Parr’s office. I asked them if they would recommend me one book and which one it would be. And they said, get the Retrospective. So I got it. I found a nice Christmas discount and the book arrived a week later and I have to say, what a nice photography book! So my first impressions were really positive: The book is actually pretty big. It has over 450 beautiful large pages which also make it pretty heavy. What I didn’t realize when I saw the book on the internet was that the cover is actually made of two different types of paper with a texture, which was a very nice surprise. I love those bright colors and they complement Martin Parr’s work. But enough talk about the cover; let’s take a look at what this book is all about.  

“This book provides a comprehensive mid-career retrospective of the work of Magnum photographer Martin Parr, including previously unpublished early work.”  It was published in 2014 so it includes projects until then. I love how the book starts with the introduction on the front page.  “Martin Parr’s photographs can make us feel very uncomfortable. He has made a comedy about the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the places we go, scrutinized the very way we live our lives.”

And that’s exactly what you can expect from this book. It includes 9 projects, or rather stages, of Parr’s photography and what I really like is that each chapter start with a very detailed introduction that helps you to understand the context. I don’t want to spoil it too much for you, so I’m not going to go into too many details; if you have any specific questions feel free to ask me in the comments below.

It’s a biography of photographer—expect a lot of photographs. As you probably know, if you are familiar with Martin Parr, his photos usually best work in sets. So not only you can find the photos in chronological order, which helps you understand Parr’s evolution of photography, but you can also see the sets side by side works perfectly with this type of photography. 

So, what do I think about the book? I think at this point it is pretty clear I like the book a lot. For the price you pay, you get more pictures than you can absorb and tons of information if that’s something that interests you. So, should you buy this book? First of all, it depends on your opinion about Parr’s photography if you like it or not. His photography is very unique and covers mostly very narrow niche of documentary photography. But, if you are someone who likes photography books, street and documentary photography I am convinced you are going to love this book.

If you're interested in learning more, check out the book:

"Martin Parr" is a comprehensive overview of the acclaimed photographer's long career as an image maker. Authored by his longtime friend and colleague, Val Williams, this book offers an insightful analysis of Parr's development and career, showcasing how he became a passionate collector of ephemera. This edition was produced to accompany his retrospective exhibition at the Barbican in London, which later toured over ten additional venues.

The second edition of the book has been updated with new photographs and a chapter assessing Parr's most recent photographic work. It also delves into his filmmaking, curating, collecting, and editing endeavors, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on his artistic journey.

This book is an invaluable resource for practicing photographers who wish to learn from the experiences of an accomplished artist. With its detailed examination of Martin Parr's career, techniques, and creative evolution, readers will find a wealth of inspiration and insights into the world of photography and beyond.

In case you already have the book let me know in the comments what you think about it and let me also know what is your favorite photography book I should check out and maybe do another review. Until next time!

Follow Martin Parr:

Website: https://www.martinparr.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/martinparrstudio/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd9mW_bztfBXvMxoKIkZZog