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Annie Griffiths Belt
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National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series) Hardcover – September 13, 2016

by Annie Griffiths (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 736 ratings
See all formats and editions
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This spectacular visual journey captures some of the most stunning photographs—portraits, animals, landscapes, seascapes, nature, etc.—from National Geographic’s renowned image collection. Award-winning photographer Annie Griffiths culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty. Now in mini-format, chapters are organized around the aesthetic concepts that create beauty in a photograph: Light, Composition, Moment (Gesture and Emotion), Motion, Palette, and Wonder.

Beyond the introduction and brief essays about each featured concept, the text is light. The photographs speak for themselves, enhanced by lyrical quotes from scholars and poets. In the chapter on Light, for example, we read these words of whimsical wisdom from songwriter Leonard Cohen: “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the lights get in.” And then the images flow, of light entering scenes through windows, clouds, and spotlights, from above, alongside, and behind, casting radiance upon young ballerinas and weathered men, into groves of autumn trees and island-dotted seas, revealing everything it touches to be beautiful beyond expectation.

To illuminate the theme of Wonder, Griffiths chose a wish from Andre Bazin: “If I had influence with the good fairy...I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.” This thought is juxtaposed with an exquisite vision in white, a frame filled with the snowy-pure dots and rays of a bird’s fan tail. And on it goes, picture after tantalizing picture, alive with wondrous beauty.

When she created National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs, Annie Griffiths set two goals: to maximize visual delight, and to create a book unique in the world of publishing—one in which many of the photographs could be purchased as prints. She has succeeded on both counts. Many of these stunning images are available for order, and there can be no doubt as to the visual delight. You must open this book for yourself, and take in its radiant beauty.

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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    National Geographic Collectors
  2. Print length
    504 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    National Geographic
  5. Publication date
    September 13, 2016
  6. Dimensions
    6.76 x 1.3 x 6.76 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1426217269
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1426217265
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“As the title suggests, this giant, colorful tome is filled with famed imagery from the National Geographic Image Collection, one of the richest photo archives on Earth. As an added bonus, it comes with a framable print of the photograph that adorns the cover.”
–Metro New York

“For once, a book that does what it says on the cover. Here is a collection of spectacular shots of nature, ranging from grand landscape scenes to swans in flight…Simply sensational." –The Express

About the Author

National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belt earned a degree in Photojournalism from the University of Minnesota. Since then, she has photographed dozens of magazine and book projects for the Society. Annie's work has also appeared in LIFE, Geo, Smithsonian, Merian, Paris Match, Stern, and many other publications. She devotes a portion of each year to producing fundraising images for aid organizations.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ National Geographic; Reissue edition (September 13, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 504 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1426217269
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1426217265
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.76 x 1.3 x 6.76 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 736 ratings

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Annie Griffiths Belt

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
736 global ratings
Simply a beautiful book
5 Stars
Simply a beautiful book
This is one of the most exciting books that National Geographic has published in recent times. One stunning image after another it lives up to its representation by showing the best photos found in the National Geographic archives. There is little text in this book and it relies heavily on the quality of the images selected. The sample photos and the video only give you a taste of what is between the covers. I must admit that I am biased, because one of my photos is in the book. It was an honor to have one of the only photos I ever sent to National Geographic to be selected by Annie Griffiths to be included in the book.As a photographer, I will be learning from this book for years to come. What makes beauty in a photograph is a question this book answers. It may seem like a small trivial question to some, but Annie gives an elegant answer with some of the most beautiful photos that represent the best of our world. This book helps reaffirm to me that photography can be a medium of how to view this world and live our lives in the simple pursuit of beauty. What greater purpose could a photographer or a person have?It is no wonder to me that the popularity of this book is rising, and I applaud Annie Griffiths for the theme of beauty that opens before your eyes with each turn of the page.When I sit for awhile with this book a quote from George Eliot comes to mind:"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone." I treasure the moments that each photographer has brought to my eyes.
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Top reviews from the United States

Jacqueline Diamond
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Just beautiful photos in this book. This book will bring a smile to your face!
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suz
5.0 out of 5 stars Good value
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I bought this for a resident of a nursing home who gets anxious. Looking at books with pics keeps him occupied for quite a while. Pics are nice!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
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Robert B. Miller Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is one of the most exciting books that National Geographic has published in recent times. One stunning image after another it lives up to its representation by showing the best photos found in the National Geographic archives. There is little text in this book and it relies heavily on the quality of the images selected. The sample photos and the video only give you a taste of what is between the covers. I must admit that I am biased, because one of my photos is in the book. It was an honor to have one of the only photos I ever sent to National Geographic to be selected by Annie Griffiths to be included in the book.

As a photographer, I will be learning from this book for years to come. What makes beauty in a photograph is a question this book answers. It may seem like a small trivial question to some, but Annie gives an elegant answer with some of the most beautiful photos that represent the best of our world. This book helps reaffirm to me that photography can be a medium of how to view this world and live our lives in the simple pursuit of beauty. What greater purpose could a photographer or a person have?

It is no wonder to me that the popularity of this book is rising, and I applaud Annie Griffiths for the theme of beauty that opens before your eyes with each turn of the page.

When I sit for awhile with this book a quote from George Eliot comes to mind:
"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone." I treasure the moments that each photographer has brought to my eyes.
Customer image
Robert B. Miller Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2010
This is one of the most exciting books that National Geographic has published in recent times. One stunning image after another it lives up to its representation by showing the best photos found in the National Geographic archives. There is little text in this book and it relies heavily on the quality of the images selected. The sample photos and the video only give you a taste of what is between the covers. I must admit that I am biased, because one of my photos is in the book. It was an honor to have one of the only photos I ever sent to National Geographic to be selected by Annie Griffiths to be included in the book.

As a photographer, I will be learning from this book for years to come. What makes beauty in a photograph is a question this book answers. It may seem like a small trivial question to some, but Annie gives an elegant answer with some of the most beautiful photos that represent the best of our world. This book helps reaffirm to me that photography can be a medium of how to view this world and live our lives in the simple pursuit of beauty. What greater purpose could a photographer or a person have?

It is no wonder to me that the popularity of this book is rising, and I applaud Annie Griffiths for the theme of beauty that opens before your eyes with each turn of the page.

When I sit for awhile with this book a quote from George Eliot comes to mind:
"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone." I treasure the moments that each photographer has brought to my eyes.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
47 people found this helpful
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Jerry L.
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
Good images my only gripe is it is not good for a coffee table book. Had it been printed in more of a 10x12 size been better to me. But the 8x8 it is, just not a nice size.
2 people found this helpful
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Japan1
5.0 out of 5 stars Not enough photos in this book
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book in the belief that there would be far more photographs. I was very disappointed !!! There were not that many photos. They were few and far between !
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TB
5.0 out of 5 stars Very beautiful photos
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
One of the best National Geographic photography books. Have given 3 as gifts already. It is not as big as most we have seen but is a good size to view what is being photographed. Not too heavy for someone to hold who is ill. Would recommend as gift for everyone.
One person found this helpful
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Rick H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great pics
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great pics
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mother of the bride
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautiful pictures. Smaller than I expected. Forgot to look a dimensions. My bad.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kausar
5.0 out of 5 stars book is simply beautiful.
Reviewed in India on January 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Book is simply beautiful and great add to coffee table. However, I received book with damaged binding and as it was last pc left with seller, I had to return it instead of getting replacement.

Will be ording another once available.
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northerndancer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Photo Treasure
Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
This beautiful coffee table photo book was a Xmas gift. It is a display of beautiful photos that one can look at for many hours.
It’s a treasure to keep for yourself or as a gift.
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Valentina
5.0 out of 5 stars Para os amante de fotografia
Reviewed in Brazil on June 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Livro belissimo. Com um acabamento impecavel, este livro nos coloca dentro de cada foto. Recomendo a compra
One person found this helpful
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Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars Hermoso!
Reviewed in Mexico on June 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Hermoso!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is an extremely beautiful book, as expected from National Geographic. I Am interested in Photography and this book gives a lot of ideas for future projects, however, may need some modifications for Scottish Climate. This book, I think, is part of a series and I have now got 6 of them. Sits beautifully on my bookshelf. I would recommend this book. I would also RECOMMEND this Vendor. (See review).
One person found this helpful
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