Precious

Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Great Cause
Review: I am so happy I purchased this book. The photos are beautiful and fresh, and the commentary is pretty revealing about what these famous people have in their minds (some good, some bad). The design of the book is eye-catching...perfect for your table, and to inspire conversation. I definitely think these talented photographers created something worth every penny. Plus, in today's world where people are mostly jaded and cynical, I think it's pretty cool that two artists decided to do something completely unselfish for a good cause. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: A rare gem
Review: I tend to enjoy history and science books so finding Precious was a real joy for the other side of my brain. The photography was inspired and, in a guilty pleasure sort of way, I really enjoyed reading about the famous and beautiful and learning just a bit about what made them tick.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Disappointment -- Could Have Been Much Better
Review: Many famous, not-so-famous, and not-at-all-famous (the photographer's kids!)people were asked what part of them was most precious, that part subsequently being photographed for inclusion in this book. Half the pages have no photos, but are blank with only one word on them: eyes, feet, hands, etc. Far too many of the photos are blurry abstracts and could be photos of anyone. One example: Actress Miranda Otto chose her shoulders. The photo doesn't even show her shoulders, but rather a few strands of hair and the faintest suggestion of unrecognizable facial features . It tells me nothing. I purchased this book because I read that it contained a photo of Elijah Wood's eyes. Well, it does, but I have seen at least 100 more beautiful photos of this actor's spectacular eyes. I did not buy it to see a photo of the photographer's daughter's toenails. The concept of this book is terrific, but the photos are not. A pity -- it could have been so much better.

Rating:
Summary: An Intimate Question Posed to Famous Subjects is Revealing
Review: PRECIOUS is a unique and very fine book of photography by Nigel Parry and Melanie Dunea who came up with the idea of approaching the luminaries they usually photograph with a single question: "What part of you is precious?". The result is a series of close-ups of eyes, lips, and mouths - all body parts considered by the subjects to be the most precious part of their appearance, life, and career. Each page is given full play to even a small part of the body designated by the subject and an added short comment by the subject accompanies the elegantly designed layout. The subjects are wide ranging: Renee Fleming, Johnny Depp, Twyla Tharp, Tommy Hilfiger, Lukas Haas, Elijah Wood, Harrison Ford, Meg Ryan, Paul Theroux, Paul Giamatti - the list goes on covering not only Hollywood stars but also figures from the dance, theater, fashion, model, music, and literature worlds. This is a fascinating coffee table book that is probably more intimate than any single monograph of any one of the subjects!


Rating:
Summary: Revealing and Refreshing
Review: This book is truly an accomplishment. After looking at so many high-profile photographer's books, I found all of the books to be self centered and all the same. This book is absoloutely different. Not only are each of the photographs unique, but the design of the book is a refreshing change from every other photo book out there. The quotes from all of the subjects in the book are revealing. The manner in which each person was photographed so creative and a nice change from the way that we're so used to see some of the celebs. These are two amazing photographers and its so good to see that they're putting their talents to work for such a great cause.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Inspiring
Review: This is a lovely book. It helps celebrate the beauty in all of us. In a world filled with botox and plastic surgery it is inspiring to see people love themselves for who they are. Everyone should take the time to buy this book, and then step back and decide which parts they love of themselves. I love my size, all 4'10'' of me :)

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: This is such a unique idea and the photography is absolutely brilliant! I love knowing what celebrities value and seeing them highlight these values in photos that differ from the usual fashion spreads. And it's adorable that photographer Nigel Parry included photos of his children - after all the proceeds of the book go to the Starlight Children's Foundation! Side note: this makes an amazing gift! Well done all around!

Rating:
Summary: refreshing
Review: What an interesting take on celebrity. I loved reading and looking at the pictures. Cool idea.

Rating:
Summary: Precious? Pretentious, more like.
Review: What utter toss. I first saw these two muppets on CNN taking about their joint project, and became annoyed at them simply talking about this book. When I was unfortunate enough to view their lofty tome, I became insensed. If, like other reviewers, you enjoy learning that Susan Sarandon's favorite thing about herself is 'her soul', and you find it creative genius when you get a hack photographer to perform some art school nonsense technique to get a 'ghost image', only to have someone print a gold stripe along the picture to denote it being precious (geddit?), then this book's for you. Personally I don't give a monkey's that Miranda Otto likes her shoulders, or some 'hobbit' actor likes his belly button. Revealing? Refreshing? Hardly! There is nothing here that the subjects don't want you to see.

Melanie Dunea told CNN something along the lines of she "...was trying to capture someones' essence". Really sweetheart, we are not all 13-year-olds who believe that celebrities are 'awesome'. It might have been a touch less cringe-inducing if all the subjects had been nobodies, but then no one in LA would have bought it....and Nigel Parry wouldn't get his tearsheets would he? ( I must admit, he looked suitably embarrassed on CNN)

One of the worst photography books ever, narrowly edged out by Anne Geddes and Celine Dion. A coffee table book for pouring coffee onto.