Magnum Photobook

The first complete illustrated bibliography of 1,000 iconic photobooks created by members of the renowned photo agency

This fascinating in-depth survey brings Magnum's history alive through the genre of the photobook an essential vehicle for photographers to share their work.

Its pages include unpublished behind-the-scenes material, together with ephemera from the photographers' archives about the making of their books. With an introduction by Fred Ritchin and texts by Carole Naggar, this book explores the evolution of the photobook, as well as the important role that Magnum has played in the history of documentary photography.

“"Magnum Photobook is essentially a book about books, but look closer and it's so much more than that." --Amateur Photographer "Beautifully illustrated and informative...a valuable reference." --Library Journal”

"If the photographic life were a treasure hunt, The Magnum Photobook is a rightfully vaunted treasure chest. Fred Ritchin and Carole Naggar's introduction expanded my understanding of how the photobook, as expressed early and continuously by Magnum photographers, plays a critical role in defining and expressing a photographer's voice beyond the settings of assignment-based work. Then learning about the creation of each book is the richest of rewards, made all the more so by a final section of the book that shows the early iterations of many of the photobooks. This book about books is one that I must have in the library." —Mike Davis, Alexia Tsairis Chair for Documentary Photography, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University

"Magnum Photobook is essentially a book about books, but look closer and it's so much more than that." —Amateur Photographer

"Beautifully illustrated and informative...a valuable reference." —Library Journal

"A 'greatest hits' of visual storytellers." —Huck, Noora Ismail

"Contextualizes the evolution of the photobook through the lens of Magnum's publications and photographers... An extensive bibliography of 1,000 photobooks refreshed with the perspective and reflection... An illuminating account of the systemic narrative of the photobook... An attestation to the authority and standing the particular medium of the photobook has had in our cultural panorama throughout the twentieth century to contemporary times." —Museemagazine.com

"A fascinating insight into the evolution of the photo book." —Digital Camera

"Impressive... Fred Ritchin and Carole Naggar's methodical approach offers a true insight into the creative process behind seminal works such as Robert Capa's Death in the Making and Henri Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment... The definitive record on the subject, this is a refreshing approach to revaluating and celebrating Magnum's history." —Black & White Photography

"A beautifully illustrated browsable book... An exhaustively researched catalog." —Photo-Eye

"Inspirational... Offers [a] fascinating insight into the working practices of some of its greatest talents in the agency's 70th year."—Professional Photography

Fred Ritchin is Dean of the School at the International Center of Photography in New York. He has lectured internationally on photography and written numerous books on the subject.

Carole Naggar has worked as a poet, artist, curator, educator and photography historian since 1971. Her published books include biographies of David Seymour, George Rodger and Werner Bischof.

The first complete illustrated bibliography of 1,000 iconic photobooks created by members of the renowned photo agencyThis fascinating in-depth survey brings Magnum's history alive through the genre of the photobook an essential vehicle for photographers to share their work.Its pages include unpublished behind-the-scenes material, together with ephemera from the photographers' archives about the making of their books. With an introduction by Fred Ritchin and texts by Carole Naggar, this book explores the evolution of the photobook, as well as the important role that Magnum has played in the history of documentary photography.

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