Photographer Martin Parr, renowned as a Magnum member, bares it all in his latest autobiography, candidly revealing his indolent side.
In the world of photography and filmmaking, Kalum Carter is a name that stands out. With over a decade of experience under his belt, Carter has made a name for himself as a photographer, filmmaker, creative director, and writer, specialising in photography books, curation, and photo editing [1]. His work is known for blending a deep understanding of both contemporary and historical works [2].
This September, Penguin Books will release Carter's latest project—a book about Martin Parr, one of the most influential figures in contemporary documentary photography. The book, titled Utterly Lazy and Inattentive: Martin Parr in Words and Pictures, will hit the shelves priced at £30 [3]. In the US, Rizzoli will publish the book next February, priced at $60 [4].
Parr's career began at the tender age of 14 when he decided to become a photographer. His journey, from a camera-obsessed schoolboy to a global name in documentary photography, is traced in this autobiography [5]. The book offers a personal chronicle of Parr's career, from documenting the last days of steam engines to capturing the first McDonald's opening in Moscow, and the changing face of public life in the post-pandemic era [6].
Parr's distinctive photographic style is marked by bold use of saturated color, sharp irony and humor, focus on everyday scenes and consumer culture’s quirks, attention to detail revealing society's quiet absurdities, and an oblique approach to social documentary [1][2]. His work initially scandalized the photography establishment in the 1980s but is now celebrated for its wit, subversiveness, and portrayal of society's quiet absurdities [7].
In 2025, Parr published his richly illustrated autobiography, which pairs over 150 personal photographs with reflections tracing his entire journey [1]. The book also provides a glimpse into the boy who obsessively collected train numbers and found beauty in the banal [8]. Additionally, his documentary I am Martin Parr gives further insight into his life and work [1].
Born in 1952 in Epsom, Surrey, UK, Parr has made a lasting impact on British documentary photography and photojournalism, establishing an international reputation for innovative imagery and contributing significantly to photographic culture in the UK and beyond [3][2].
Utterly Lazy and Inattentive: Martin Parr in Words and Pictures is not just a curated greatest hits; it's a portrait of modern life seen through Parr's eyes. The book, co-authored with Wendy Jones, provides insights into Parr's work, including his approach to navigating commissions, building trust with subjects, and what draws his lens [9].
Parr himself reflects on photography as a process demanding persistence through many bad shots to find the good ones, emphasizing the importance of finding an original vision and not being “lazy” in photographic work [4]. This autobiography promises to be a fascinating read for anyone interested in photography, filmmaking, or the art of storytelling.
References: 1. The Guardian 2. British Journal of Photography 3. Penguin Books 4. Rizzoli 5. The Telegraph 6. The New Yorker 7. The Observer 8. The Times 9. The Independent
- Kalum Carter's new book, Utterly Lazy and Inattentive: Martin Parr in Words and Pictures, due for release on Penguin Books this September, is not just a compilation of Parr's best work, but a portrait of modern life seen through his eyes.
- Martin Parr's distinctive photographic style, characterized by bold use of saturated color, sharp irony and humor, focus on everyday scenes, and attention to detail, attracted both controversy and admiration in the 1980s.
- The upcoming book co-authored by Wendy Jones, offers insights into Parr's approach to navigating commissions, building trust with subjects, and what draws his lens.
- Born in 1952, Parr has made a lasting impact in British documentary photography and photojournalism, establishing an international reputation for innovative imagery and contributing significantly to photographic culture.
- In his autobiography, Parr emphasizes the importance of persistence in photography, finding an original vision, and not being "lazy" in photographic work, a sentiment that is sure to resonate with readers interested in photography, filmmaking, or the art of storytelling.
