Earlier this year I wrote about a book-buying spree I had. One of the books I snagged was Elliott Erwitt’s huge volume Personal Best that contains over 440 photographs on 448 pages he personally selected as his best and favorite images from a lifetime of creative work.  Did I say huge? It’s roughly 15 by 11 inches in size and just for grins I decided to weigh it … just over 11 pounds! This thing is truly massive as it should be with all that it contains, but with so much visual content can it hold one’s interest, or at one point simply become too much?  I’ll come back to that in a few moments.

Is this a perfect book? Probably not. As others have pointed out, it might have been nice if a landscape format had been employed. I’m not a fan of full bleed spreads onto two pages. But then the book might have hit gargantuan proportions and the price would likely have been more than the $50 it is.

Once you open it up for serious contemplation you realize these are minor quibbles and they are soon forgotten. Not only does Personal Best contain all of Erwitt’s greatest hits, but also there are many photographs that have never been published before. Looking at each picture you realize what a stupendous photographer Erwitt is, because each one of these images is a winner. One can only imagine how many other great pictures he’s made over a lifetime that aren’t his favorites?

Personal Best is a joyful, learning experience that has to be savored in order to really get all that is to be gained from it. It’s also a humbling experience. One can only wonder about how good his also rans are, but for me it’s a motivator of what can be accomplished with dedication, continued hard work and clarity of vision.

Erwitt is a true master. He has spent sixty years living a complete photographic life, something few of us will ever be able to do.  Personal Best gives me something to dream of and aspire to, even if I cannot have such a life. It forces me to strive to do what makes me happy and do it in the best way I can, so I can create my personal best.

So can Personal Besthold one’s interest for an extended viewing session? Yes, yes and yes! In fact, you will want to go back to it again and again.

Buying this book is a no brainer. Do yourself an enormous favor and get it!

Stay safe,

Michael