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Paul Martineau
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Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith Hardcover – May 16, 2023

by Paul Martineau (Author), Graydon Carter (Introduction), Rebecca A. Senf (Contributor),
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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Elegant, charming, and stunningly beautiful, Rodney Smith’s fashion photography is a delightful revelation.
 
“I would hope that I am one of a kind.” —Rodney Smith
 
Mystery and manners, romance and fun—the sophisticated compositions and stylish characters in the extraordinary pictures of fashion photographer Rodney Smith (1947–2016) exist in a timeless world of his imagination. Born in New York City, Smith started out as a photo-essayist, turned to portrait photography, and found his niche, and greatest success, in fashion photography. Inspired by W. Eugene Smith, taught by Walker Evans, and devoted to the techniques of Ansel Adams, Smith was driven by the dual ideals of technical mastery and pure beauty.
 
This lavish volume features nearly two hundred reproductions of Smith’s images—many that have never before been published—and weaves together a biocritical essay by Getty Museum curator Paul Martineau and a technical assessment of Smith’s production by the Center for Creative Photography’s chief curator, Rebecca A. Senf. It maps Smith’s creative trajectory—including his introduction to photography, early personal projects, teaching, commissioned pieces, and career in fashion—and provides insight into his personal life and character, contextualizing his work and creative tendencies within his privileged but lonely upbringing and complex emotional and psychological makeup. Rodney Smith is the definitive record of the life’s work and worldview of a truly original artist.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    248 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    J. Paul Getty Museum
  4. Publication date
    May 16, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    9.5 x 1.2 x 11.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1606068466
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1606068465
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Open book showing 2 black-and-white images, one of a tree and one of a woman in a hat and pearls
Open book with two color images, one of a woman in a hat reading and one of two people kissing
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“I’ve been a fan of Rodney Smith’s work for years. With his ability to find something interesting in the ordinary, Smith’s new book is a delightful romp through a world where the mundane becomes magical, the impossible becomes possible and the absurd becomes normal. I appreciate Smith’s simplicity and instinct for beauty, coupled with a dash of surrealism and humor. If you’re looking for a book of photos that will make you see the world in a new light, look no further.”
—Elliott Erwitt, photographer

“Rodney Smith’s lifework stands out for its expression of joy, humor, and wistfulness, and it serves as a reminder of the ways in which both fashion photography and fashion itself are in dialogue with art historical discourses. This comprehensive survey of Smith’s career illuminates not only how his playful embrace of experimentation and extraordinary technical mastery of photography resulted in imaginative, timeless images but also how these images broaden our understanding of fashion photography as a collaborative and expressive art form.”
—Michal Raz-Russo

“Prominent fashion photographer Rodney Smith's (1947-2016) imaginative and whimsical images from a forty-five-year career are thoughtfully curated into Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith. This title is the definitive record of the life's work of this truly original artist and educator.” ― AllAboutPhoto.com Published On: 2023-03-08

“The project and the Getty acquisition trace a creative trajectory that has made fantasy and elegance a true photographic strand.” -- Tommaso Berra ― Collater.al Published On: 2023-03-27

“The book is a well-rounded look at Smith's creative and technical genius.” -- Jessica Stewart ― My Modern Met Published On: 2023-04-28

“This book is a lovely homage to the memory of a brilliant and sensitive photographer.”

-- Bondo Wyszpolski ― Easy Reader News Published On: 2023-05-10

“Rodney’s images are at once timeless and startlingly fresh.” -- Graydon Carter with Nathan King ― AIR MAIL Published On: 2023-05-13

“Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith is a celebration of the late photographer’s life and career.” -- Hannah Rooke ― NewsBreak Published On: 2023-03-19

“Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith details the photographer’s trajectory, which took him from street photography to corporate photography to the fashion imagery that he’s most well-known for.” -- Jessica Stewart ― LaptrinhX Published On: 2023-05-04

“A radiant retrospective of his work.” -- Elin Spring ― What Will You Remember? Published On: 2023-05-24

“This title is the definitive record of the life’s work of this truly original artist and educator.” ― The Eye of Photography Published On: 2023-06-21

“Quietly stunning new book from Getty Publications.” -- Max Hirshfeld ― Blind Magazine Published On: 2023-06-28

“A deeply personal and definitive record of Smith’s life’s work.” -- Irene Rawlings ― Mountain Living Published On: 2023-06-22

About the Author

Paul Martineau is curator in the Department of Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ J. Paul Getty Museum (May 16, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1606068466
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1606068465
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 1.2 x 11.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Paul Martineau

Paul Martineau

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A leading curator in the field of art photography, Paul Martineau is curator of photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum. He received a B.A. in art from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and an M.A. in art history from Williams College. Before joining the Getty Museum in 2003, he held positions at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Mr. Martineau has organized numerous exhibitions at the Getty, covering a diverse range of topics spanning the birth of the medium to today.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
21 global ratings
Striking photographs and interesting text--this book is a MUST-HAVE
5 Stars
Striking photographs and interesting text--this book is a MUST-HAVE
Rodney Smith's photographs are incredible. Technically precise, they are also whimsical, sophisticated, mysterious, funny, dark and bright--and somehow, some of them, all at the same time. Author Paul Martineau says it perfectly "Like Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, his photographs lead us down the rabbit hole to a fantastical place that is just beyond our reach but one intended to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves."Just a few of my favorites are "Twins in Tree", "Trees Cumberland Island Georgia" (I love the way he shoots trees), "A.J. from Behind in Field" (this one feels so dark, there's so much tension), "Skyline, Hudson River, New York" (I'm a New Yorker, can't help it), "Three Men with Shears No.1"," Zoe Reading Seated on Cabinet in Forest" and "Andrew and Edythe on Cyclone". But there are so many.I recommend this book to anyone interested in photography.
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Top reviews from the United States

Scarlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Striking photographs and interesting text--this book is a MUST-HAVE
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Rodney Smith's photographs are incredible. Technically precise, they are also whimsical, sophisticated, mysterious, funny, dark and bright--and somehow, some of them, all at the same time. Author Paul Martineau says it perfectly "Like Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, his photographs lead us down the rabbit hole to a fantastical place that is just beyond our reach but one intended to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves."

Just a few of my favorites are "Twins in Tree", "Trees Cumberland Island Georgia" (I love the way he shoots trees), "A.J. from Behind in Field" (this one feels so dark, there's so much tension), "Skyline, Hudson River, New York" (I'm a New Yorker, can't help it), "Three Men with Shears No.1"," Zoe Reading Seated on Cabinet in Forest" and "Andrew and Edythe on Cyclone". But there are so many.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in photography.
Customer image
Scarlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Striking photographs and interesting text--this book is a MUST-HAVE
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
Rodney Smith's photographs are incredible. Technically precise, they are also whimsical, sophisticated, mysterious, funny, dark and bright--and somehow, some of them, all at the same time. Author Paul Martineau says it perfectly "Like Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, his photographs lead us down the rabbit hole to a fantastical place that is just beyond our reach but one intended to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves."

Just a few of my favorites are "Twins in Tree", "Trees Cumberland Island Georgia" (I love the way he shoots trees), "A.J. from Behind in Field" (this one feels so dark, there's so much tension), "Skyline, Hudson River, New York" (I'm a New Yorker, can't help it), "Three Men with Shears No.1"," Zoe Reading Seated on Cabinet in Forest" and "Andrew and Edythe on Cyclone". But there are so many.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in photography.
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2 people found this helpful
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Robert Azoff
5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Produced Book on a Great Photographer
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
I first became acquainted with the works of Rodney Smith some decades ago when I purchased his book In the Land of Light which is one the most beautiful and sensitive photo books ever produced on Israel. The present book is a fine testament to a great photographer. The photographs are sensitive, at times humorous, surrealist and very rich in content, along with being well composed and well printed. It is an excellent addition to my collection.
One person found this helpful
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HANS EICHHORNS
5.0 out of 5 stars Es una obra de arte
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
Excelente recopilación de la obra de un grande de la fotografía.
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S. Young Emerson
5.0 out of 5 stars Creative And Imaginative
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
As a photographer, I truly enjoyed these wonderful images. Highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Daria
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular book!
Reviewed in Spain on November 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
Rodney is my favorite photographer and I more than happy with the book. Awesome quality, fantastic photos and interesting stories.
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Michael A. Laing
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the photographic greats and a very good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
I have recently been expanding my photographic monograph collection, buying a variety of different photographic books, showing the work of some great photographers. For me, there are levels when it comes to photography with the photographic greats ranking between 9-10, and very good photographers ranking between a 7-8. I would say that Rodney Smith rates up their with the greats between a 9 and 10.

Rodney's fine art portraiture is innovative and clever, often with a sense of humour and makes it stand out. Rodney is a master for framing and timing, capturing the image a just the right moment, which is incredibly hard.

The book itself is a mix of work. For me, the work that stands out is his fine art portraiture. There are a variety of landscape shots but they never get to the same level as his fine art portrait work.

The quality of the book is very good and I cannot remember any double page spreads. I can certainly recommend this book to all fans and photographers alike. This book will make you think differently about photography and if you are a photographer help improve your photography.
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Alexei Syomchenko
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
The media could not be loaded.
 This is the second book with photos of Rodney Smith in my collection. Excellent quality.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality printing of images.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Very extensive catalogue which should inspire any budding photographer.
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