This stunning volume documents Leonardo Bezzola's career, investigating the ways the photographer approaches his subjects

He usually stands at the edge of the action. He doesn't move much, doesn't say much. Conversation, when possible, is sparse. He prefers silence. He lets his gaze wander, looks over and through his surroundings. A silent observer who attracts little attention, except when awakening the impression that there is someone present who doesn't belong: someone who is absent, at least in his thoughts, or perhaps bored. Then he unexpectedly brings a camerawaiting there, ready in the crook of his armup to his eye: Leonardo Bezzola takes his photo. André Kamber

The Swiss photographer Leonardo Bezzola (1929) has created a vast and manifold oeuvre over the past several decades. His work has ranged from reportages and portraits to artistic impressions and documentary series. Leonardo Bezzola. Photographs 19482007* documents his entire career, investigating the multitude of ways he approaches his photographic subjects.

Bezzola's portraits of writers, street views, impressions of his journeys, and trademark black-and-white images of race cars, Venetian canals, and objects from everyday life are all featured here alongside a contextual essay by noted art historian André Kamber. Published to coincide with a 2008 exhibition of Bezzola's work in Venice, this is the ultimate survey of one of Switzerland's most prolific photographers.

«Dank beharrlichem Dranbleiben hat sich hier ein Lebenswerk gerundet, vor dem wir den Hut ziehen!» Urs Berger, Biel-Benkemer Dorf-Zytig