Portraits 2005-2016

What can one even say about Leibovitz that hasn't been said before? Her skills when it comes to portraiture are 2nd to none. Irving Penn is another one of my favorite portrait photographers and I love the contrast in style that you see between Penn and Liebovitz. Penn mosty shot black and white and very rarely used props. He loved to just put his subjects in front of a bland wall or a just a basic muslin background. He also loved to focus on just the face or from the shoulders up. Basically, Penn's set ups were about simplistic sets, masterful composition, and great lighting. Leibovitz's style is really the polar opposite of Penn's. Leibovitz mostly shoots in color and her sets are anything but simplistic. Most of her sets are extravagant and more akin to a movie set than a photography set. She also loves to shoot her subjects outside of the studio. Her lighting skills when shooting outside are impressive to say the least. Leibovitz's studio shoots really are more akin to a Hollywood set than what one normally thinks of when they think of studio portraiture. While Penn's and Leibovitz's styles really are like polar opposites in many instances, there are 2 things that Penn & Leibovitz share in common. They are both masters of lighting and composition. Leibovitz is one of the most talented photographers I have seen to date in regards to using strobe lighting in an outdoor environment. The lighting on the models is always perfectly balanced with the overall exterior lighting levels. I don't think there has ever been another photographer that has had more access to famous people than Annie Leibovitz. In fact, being photographed by Leibovitz is one of the true signs that one has reached the upper echelon in regards to fame. I'm a professional architectural photographer and I often think about how amazing it would be to be able to spend a couple days just looking through Leibovitz's archives. For ever picture we have seen from Leibovitz, I guarantee there are 20-30+ that we haven't seen and given how long she has been working as a photographer on top of all the amazing people she has shot....well, her complete archives must be one of the most impressive archives in the entire history of portrait photography, after all, she started working for Rolling Stone Magazine in 1970 so were coming up on close to 50 years that Leibovitz has been shooting high proflie people. As for this book, Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016, its one of my favorite books to date by Leibovitz. Her skills at personalizing her subjects never ceases to amaze me. Many of her pictures are more akin to a story than a regular photograph. This book really focuses on the people who were most prominent during the years of 2005-2016 and best of all, there is quite a bit of unpublished work in this book. That is one of my favorite aspects to art books in general, the inclusion of new unpublished work. While its nice seeing many of the really famous images shot by particular photographers, I also want to see work that I havent seen before. I wish all photography books, or art books in general, had a section for unpublished work or work that hasn't been seen yet. Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 is the follow-up to her two books, Annie Leibovitz: Photographs, 1970-1990 and A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005, and in this regard is succeeds with flying colors. If your a big fan of Leibovitz, you should own all 3 of those books. They really show the progression of her skills, how she has changed over the years, and also how some aspects of her style have remained unchanged through the years. Personally, I would love to see them combine all 3 books into a single publication, something like you see with Taschen's XXL series of books. Even tho I already own all 3 book individually, I would jump at the chance to own all 3 in a single extra large format book. Bottom line - if your a fan of Annie Leibovitz then you should already have a pretty good idea of what to expect with this book, famous people being photographed in beautiful locations and intricately set up studio shots. Again, many of her studio shots are more akin to a movie set than a photography studio. Thats the level of design and detail that she goes to with many of her shots and I personally love the contrast between artists like Annie Leibovitz and Irving Penn. While both were absolute masters at shooting portraiture, thier methods and ultimately the final pictures they shot couldn't be more different in many aspects. They really are like polar opposites in many aspects and yet with other aspects they are almost identical. For example, their both masters of lighting and have an uncanny ability to bring out the personalites of the people they were shooting. One thing is for sure and that is that both Penn and Leibovitz are 2 of the greatest portrait photographers to ever pick up a camera and that will never change. Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 is just a brilliant book, one that continues to prove that Leibovitz is still at the top of her game and still has plenty to offer in the world of photographic portraiture. A must buy for both Annie Leibovitz fans and serious art book collectors alike. 5 stars!!

The quality of images, the outfits of the photographed people, the amazing locations, the invested decorations makes the images say "it's amazing" from technical and artistic perspective. Wish I had a chance to work with you or myself for such amazing projects and meet you someday. With respect, Maxim Dupliy - photographer.

This is a large book we have placed on our coffee table. It is exquisitely photographed. Subjects are famous and not famous. The colors look like old master paintings.

I have collected many photographic books over the past several decades. This is one of the best. In my mind, it is the best book that Leibovitz has published. The quality of the printing is wonderful, the large size does the portraits justice, and the layout is exquisite. It is truly a gift to take the time and look at each image for many minutes before turning the page. The range of the portraits, the poses, is simply among the best. You won't be disappointed in the book for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone special. It is indeed very special.

Annie is a wonderful photographer. I have her first two portraits books. I especially like this grouping as it they were not all famous people. She captured people and their personal spaces that gives you a sense of who they are.

Quality photos on beautiful paper. Carefully handled. Thumbs up!

I bought this as a gift for my partner after we attended "An Evening with Annie Leibovitz" where she went over the history behind a lot of the photos. These books are a wonderful collection of her work through the years and lovely to leaf through when you have some time to take in her artistry.

Looks like it was made in a hurry. All good but not her best work.