This is a biography of Graciela Iturbide which was beautifully told in graphic novel form. The gorgeous illustrations drew me in, and the story kept me interested. I loved that this book included a few snip-its of the Iturbides work, and the story behind some of her most famous photos. I will definitely be suggesting this to all my non-fiction graphic novel loving friends, as well as asking my local library to consider picking up a copy or three for our community to enjoy as well.

5 stars

Synopsis: This is the story of Graciela Iturbide, who was born in Mexico in the 40s and did what a woman was supposed to do at that time, and married young. She had a family, but when one of her children died, she started to look for meaning and solace, and found it in photographs, and travelling to tell stories with her photographs.

The story: This follows Graciela's life closely, picking out the most significant moments in her life, as well as her most famous, and most personal photographs. The story conveys the grief, and the search for more, as well as the willingness to be part of the story, and to stand outside of it. Graciela went where she was asked to go, but she always went on her own terms, and didn't let the standard dictate what she she and documented.

The art: the art was amazing, especially when compared with the real photographs. When they weren't Graciela's photographs, they were simple and told the story well.

Graphic biography sprinkled with the artist’s original work.

I love reading books that introduce me to things I never knew of before, in this case, I am sad to say I had never heard of Graciela Iturbide before. The graphic novel is short and explores the life and beginnings of Graciela's work. The graphics are beautiful and I loved the actual photographs inserted after a graphic illustration, it almost made it feel like the book came to life? It was cool.

The book was inspirational and enlightening. I loved how Graciela interprets her work and isn't afraid to take risks and travel. Isabel Quintero did a fantastic job carrying the message across and I hope we get to see more graphic novels like this about real life people. I loved it and would definitely recommend you pick it up.

I can’t say I enjoyed this one very much. The biography was only mildly entertaining to me. Reading about her experiences as she photographed other cultures was somewhat interesting. I thought the drawings were more eye catching than most of the photographs, which there were so few of. The iguana photo was pretty neat however. But, perhaps, overall, it just wasn’t the book for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the review opportunity.

"I choose photography over tradition."

Photographic is a graphic novel following the life of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide, someone that I, unfortunately, didn't know about until reading this. Actually, that is precisely why I picked this up. A successful, female, Mexican photographer? Of course I had to check it out!

Before saying anything else, I need to mention that I am Mexican. Born and raised. Reading about Graciela Iturbide and what she has been doing way before I was alive, was just mind-blowing. Knowing that she was able to follow her dreams in a time and place where her only job was to have children has left me speechless.

Following her journey has taught me so much I didn't know about my own country, my own culture. So much that <i>we</i> don't talk about. This simple, yet beautifully drawn novel momentarily talks about the resilience of Mexican families and culture in the United States; the strength and power of women in parts of Mexico that are less patriarchal; and the strength, inclusion, and celebration of muxes in Juchitan.

"In Juchitan, womanhood is not weakness; it is unapologetic."

This graphic novel not only includes these amazing revelations and gorgeous illustrations but it also includes stunning photographs taken by our very own Graciela Iturbide. Someone who not only has taught me so much about my country but also has made me feel free. Someone who has made me appreciate photographs much more.

This is a good book to introduce someone who may not be very well known, and for people who want to read a different life story, but do not enjoy typical biographies. It would be very useful for a book report or school project for high school students. It was an eye-opening book because I got to read about someone I had never heard of and understand some different viewpoints of life and other cultures.

I didn’t know this photograph before but I was happy to get to know her through this very interesting comic book.

I really liked this format for biographies, it really helped me focus on it, while I fall asleep reading usual biographies……

Not a photographer I was familiar with. This a stunningly creative depiction of her evolution as an artist, a mix of story, poetry, photos, and graphic novel.

Clearly based on the cover, this book is full of gorgeous art.
However, this book is in black and white, because that is what photographer Graciela Iturbide believes reality is - black and white.

This is around 90 or so pages of a very brief history of the rise and work of Graciela Iturbide. The pages are a mix of simplistic comics composed of interviews done with Graciela, as well as a few of her actual photographs.

There is additional information about her life as well as references to additional reading material provided after the comic portion is completed.

I love this concept. I love the ability to learn about someone new to me in a graphic novel form, and I love that her work was incorporated into this book. This was really well done and I hope to see way more books published like this. I'm definitely feeling inclined to learn some more about Graciela Iturbide, and view more of her photographs.

Photographic is a splendid graphic novel that narrates about the life story of one of the brilliant and prominent photographers in Mexico. Through this, readers will finally get to know who Graciela Iturbide is behind her famous works.

I was able to read about her and see some of her photographs in a National Geographic magazine when I was still young. When I saw the photo of her "Our Lady of the Iguanas" in this graphic novel, that's when it hit me that I have saw it before. The photos that Iturbide captures really stands out and will make people become curious on what's the story behind the subject(s).

A great photo book/graphic novel will enthralled readers on who is Graciela Iturbide and that showcase some of her well-known works.

I'm so glad to read this comic now. I went to an exhibit last week called "Los Modernos" and it was an exhibit dedicated to Mexican artists. I got the chance so see so many photographies by Graciela Iturbide.

This comic is dedicated to Graciela Iturbide and I loved how it was made. It isn't focus on her personal life but her relationship with photography. It talks about the different periods in her life, each chapters are centered around one of her series and explains her thoughts behind the lens and why she took the picture. So many of the drawings are inspired by her photographies and even some of her most famous ones are added into the book.
Graciela Iturbide is a fantastic artist and so interesting and I really liked learning about her thoughts and also see how she sees the world.

*A copy of this book was received for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a beautiful biography of Graciela Iturbide's life up until now, a photographer who before reading this I knew nothing about. I'm glad I got the chance to read more out her life, and to see the stunning images she has taken.
The book is filled with thought provoking messages, illustrations and photos taken by Graciela Iturbide. It allowed me to have a glimpse into her life, to see the passion and dedication behind every image she has taken.
Overall I enjoyed this biography, it allows the readers to get to know an amazingly talented photographer. This graphic novel is a lovely introduction into Graciela Iturbide's work, the authors did an excellent job. I recommend this to any fans of Graciela Iturbide, those interested in photography, or those who love a good thought provoking graphic novel.

The art of this graphic novel is beautiful, but it barely compares to the photographs taken by Graciela Iturbide. I was astonished that I'd never heard of this amazing photographer and incredibly glad that the authors of this volume provided a list of references for exploring her work. The photos are gorgeous, even when the subject matter is a bit rough. (I was not, for example, prepared for a beautifully composed but still disturbing shot of someone holding a slaughtered goat.) I can't recommend this book strongly enough as an introduction to Iturbide's life and photographs.

A wonderful introduction to an amazing Mexican artist. Quintero's poetic writing and Pena's illustrations are a delight. I loved the inclusion of Graciellas photography too. A superb Art graphic novel!

I hadn't heard of this photographer before, but this graphic novel has certainly made me curious about her pictures. I loved the artwork and the story was great too. What I loved most was how they added actual photographs in the novel. Like I said, I'll be checking out Graciela Iturbide's photography very soon!

The artwork is lovely and I savored every illustration.

This is an amazing biography in graphic novel form. In such a short number of pages and images, we get to see and feel the life of a photographer whose artwork are unique and underrated. She also brings awareness to life as a Mexican in the US and its struggles. It's moving.

This spoke to me in a deep way.

I am still processing it, because as a Mexican woman it hit me deep to read about a fellow Mexican woman who has become internationally renowned for her art and her vision of our very unique culture. There just are not enough books like this ESPECIALLY in beautiful graphic novel form that incorporates both the artists actual works with new images interpreted by a new author.

Definite recommend!

“For Iturbide, the camera is just a pretext for knowing the world.” That quote’s not in the book, but when I did research on a photographer I’ve never heard of . . . couldn’t pass it up.
After an intro that’s quite a bit overdone, first story isn’t all that interesting, and the prose is mysterious without a cause. It’s trying to be poetic, but doesn’t say anything, too hoity-toity for its own good. The drawings are so far more impressive than the photos.
The Medusa head of iguanas was awesome, but that’s it. The photos are wonderfully grainy, but there aren’t many. And to be perfectly honest, as a professional photographer of more than 25 years, I can’t say I’m impressed by what’s shown here.
2.5 pushed up to 3/5