Close Up

Close Up documents William Klein's experience creating a documentary film in 1990 about fashion photographer Yohji Yamamoto. The book combines still photography, film stills, and text to capture both the process of filmmaking and Yamamoto's creative world. Klein follows Yamamoto through Paris and Tokyo as the designer prepares collections and reflects on his work. The intimate access reveals the intersection of Western and Japanese design sensibilities, while also capturing the rapid-fire pace of the fashion industry. The format alternates between color and black-and-white images, creating a visual rhythm that mirrors documentary filmmaking techniques. Text passages provide context without overtaking the visual narrative. The book functions as both a study of artistic process and a meditation on the act of observation itself. Through his dual role as photographer and filmmaker, Klein explores questions about documentation, authenticity, and the relationship between still and moving images.

Readers appreciate Klein's candid behind-the-scenes look at photography and fashion, with many highlighting the book's value as a documentary of 1950s fashion photography culture. Photography enthusiasts point to the raw technical insights and Klein's unfiltered commentary on his methods. Likes: - Intimate view of fashion world politics and dynamics - Street photography techniques and composition tips - Historical documentation of mid-century Paris/NY fashion scenes - Klein's voice and personality throughout Dislikes: - Lack of image reproduction quality in some editions - Rambling narrative structure - Limited focus on Klein's later work - High price point of collectible editions Available Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: No ratings yet LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Reader Quote: "Klein pulls no punches in describing the fashion world's ruthlessness and superficiality while still celebrating its creativity." - Goodreads reviewer

Life is Good & Good for You in New York by William Klein Raw, chaotic street photography captures 1950s New York through a rebellious lens that broke conventions of the era.

The Americans by Robert Frank This photography book documents American society across social classes and regions through a stark, unfiltered perspective during 1955-1956.

The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson The foundational street photography book presents candid moments from around the world captured at the intersection of perfect timing and composition.

American Photographs by Walker Evans Depression-era America emerges through straightforward documentary photographs of everyday people, places, and objects.

Ravens by Masahisa Fukase Post-war Japanese photography manifests through dark, grainy images of ravens against urban landscapes and personal spaces.

📚 William Klein shot many of the photos in this book without looking through his viewfinder, creating a raw, spontaneous style that influenced street photography for decades to come. 🎬 Before focusing on photography, Klein studied painting under Fernand Léger in Paris and initially wanted to become an abstract painter. 📸 The book includes images from Klein's time in New York, Rome, Moscow, and Tokyo, showcasing his signature style of getting extremely close to subjects and using wide-angle lenses. 🏆 Klein's unconventional techniques were often criticized by the American photography establishment but were embraced by European publishers, leading him to publish his first major works in France. 🎭 Many photos in "Close Up" capture intimate moments of fashion shoots and film sets, drawing from Klein's parallel career as a groundbreaking fashion photographer for Vogue and an experimental filmmaker.