Magnum Contact Sheets

Synopsis

This exceptional book, published here in an accessibly priced paperback format, comes out just as the shift to digital photography threatens to render the contact sheet obsolete. It celebrates the contact sheet as a fascinating way of accompanying great photographers as they work towards, and capture, the most enduring images of our time. 139 contact sheets, representing 69 photographers, are featured, as well as zoom-in details, selected photographs, press cards, notebooks and spreads from contemporary publications, including Life magazine and Picture Post. Further insight is provided by texts written by the photographers themselves or by experts chosen by members' estates. It includes many greats of photography, among them Henri Cartier- Bresson, Elliott Erwitt and Inge Morath, as well as Magnum's latest generation, such as Jonas Bendiksen, Alessandra Sanguinetti and Alec Soth. These photographers cover over 70 years of history, from the D-Day landings by Robert Capa and the Paris riots of 1968 by Bruno Barbey to images of Che Guevara by René Burri, Malcolm X by Eve Arnold and classic New Yorkers by Bruce Gilden.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter provides a brief overview of Magnum Photos, a renowned collective of photojournalists, and introduces the concept of contact sheets, which are unedited strips of negatives that provide a comprehensive record of a photographer's shooting process.

Example: A contact sheet from Robert Capa's coverage of D-Day shows numerous frames capturing the chaotic landing at Omaha Beach.

Chapter 2: The Decisive Moment

This chapter explores Henri Cartier-Bresson's influential theory of the "decisive moment," the fleeting instant when all elements align to create a meaningful image.

Example: A contact sheet from Cartier-Bresson's coverage of India reveals multiple frames leading up to and following the iconic "Behind the Gare St. Lazare" photograph.

Chapter 3: The Ethical Imperative

This chapter discusses the ethical considerations surrounding photojournalism, including issues of consent, exploitation, and the photographer's responsibility to tell truthful stories.

Example: A contact sheet from Salgado's work in Niger shows images of starving children, raising questions about the use of such powerful imagery and its potential impact on the subjects.

Chapter 4: The Story in Sequence

This chapter examines how photojournalists use sequences of photographs to narrate a story and convey complex events.

Example: A contact sheet from W. Eugene Smith's "Pittsburgh" project presents a multi-frame sequence depicting the gritty industrial environment and the lives of the city's inhabitants.

Chapter 5: The Photographer's Eye

This chapter explores the unique perspective and aesthetic sensibilities of individual Magnum photographers.

Example: A contact sheet from Martin Parr's work in Brighton Beach reveals his ironic and observational style, capturing the quirky and often mundane aspects of British seaside culture.

Chapter 6: The Social Landscape

This chapter analyzes how Magnum photographers have documented and interpreted social and political issues around the world.

Example: A contact sheet from Jacob Aue Sobol's coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement shows protestors clashing with police, highlighting the tensions and inequalities in contemporary society.

Chapter 7: The Future of Photojournalism

This chapter examines the challenges and opportunities facing photojournalists in the digital age.

Example: A contact sheet from Thomas Dworzak's work using drones illustrates the new possibilities and ethical considerations emerging in aerial photography.

Chapter 8: Conclusion

This chapter reflects on the enduring legacy of Magnum Photos and the role of contact sheets in preserving the history and process of photojournalism.