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Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennonx$8.80
  (26 reviews)
Best Price: $8.80
“There were times I was a bit reticent in taking out my camera, like when some ‘old friends’ stopped by to hang out. I didn’t want to intrude on these moments, but John insisted. He felt that I captured him in ways that no one else did because of his comfort level with me…For years, only my closest friends got to see these photos—which were literally tucked away in a shoebox in my closet. They were surprised that these images did not convey the John that was portrayed in the press during our time together. In fact, they saw a side of John seldom seen.”—From INSTAMATIC KARMA John Lennon is the most famously photographed Beatle—everyone from Iain MacMillian to Annie Lebowitz took iconic images of him—but there have never been pictures of him like these taken by May Pang, Lennon’s girlfriend from 1973 to 1975. In INSTAMATIC KARMA, they’re collected for the first time. With very few exceptions, these photos are that rare thing: never-before-seen images of an icon. The photos here show Lennon in a variety of settings: at work, at play, at home, and away. They show a playful Lennon, a casual, unguarded Lennon; they’re the kind of photos one lover takes of another. May has written rich captions to accompany her photos--taken together, they tell a simple story of the time May and Lennon spent together; a time, according to legend, when Lennon was unhappy and unproductive, estranged from his family and bandmates. Pang’s photos clearly tell another story—they show Lennon clowning around, working on his hit album “Walls and Bridges”, embracing old friends and family, hanging out in their apartment on Manhattan’s East 52nd Street, relaxing in the country in upstate New York or spending peaceful days swimming in the waters of Long Island. The photographs in INSTAMATIC KARMA are both color and black & white, casual Polaroids and more composed shots. Each one is an intimate glimpse into a fascinating time in John Lennon’s life.
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Customer Reviews
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Instamatic Karma's gonna get you!
By A1YI9FE18CI5QK on 2008-03-04
When I first bought John Lennon's "Walls and Bridges" in 1974, what struck me was how good he looked -- happy, confident. May Pang has finally shed some light on the period known as Lennon's "lost weekend" and once again we see a happy, confident Lennon hanging out with his son, Julian, his Beatle "brothers" and just enjoying life. What a fantastic collection of memories -- a must-have for any Lennon fan.
Good Pics. Lacking text.
By A2C2981IUAY8YB on 2008-03-06
Four stars for a small collection of mostly good, previously unseen photographs. But I was a little disappointed in the sparse information accompanying the pics. Overall, a quick read and a nice collection of snapshots. Speaking as a huge Lennon fan, a must-have.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MAY PANG
By A2G5QHXNL6VG7E on 2008-04-03
Although I hoped "Instamatic Karma" gave us more details about the romance of John Lennon and May Pang, I was not disappointed in buying May's new book. This hard cover book was tastefully created and contains 157 photographs in color and black and white that I had never seen before. These are not glamour shots or publicity photos. These are real, candid photos worthy of any John Lennon fans' collection. The photos come with a well-written narration by May.
"Instamatic Karma" has plenty of photos of John and May showing there was a real relationship between the two. There are many nice photos of Julian during visits with his father, swimming, going to Disneyland, and general clowning around. Cynthia and Julian Lennon added an endnote to the book expressing thanks to May for her kindness and friendship to them, which was touching.
Since there is controversy about the common misconception that the years 1973 and 1974 were nothing more than a "Lost Weekend" for John, it was very satisfying to see photographic proof not only of the relationship, but that Lennon was happy, social and artistic during those years. There are photos of John with friends like Paul and Linda McCartney, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson, Jesse Ed Davis, Klaus Voormann and Mal Evans who spent time with John during this productive and commercially successful period. And there are some great photos from the recording sessions of "Walls and Bridges."
I highly recommend this book for Lennon fans. It's a beautiful book at a reasonable price. And you can still get a copy of the First Edition!
Side note: If you want the blow by blow description of John and May's life during this period, with all the details included, check out "Loving John" Loving John or "The Lost Weekend" John Lennon: The Lost Weekend both written by May Pang.
Pictures Don't Lie
By A31ZKTLV2KTM2S on 2008-03-21
Finally the photo evidence to back up what true insiders knew for years--that John's time with May, rather than being the drunken debaucle alleged in the "company line," was actually one of the happiest and most productive of his life. The intimate, casual pictures show a smiling, relaxed and very different side of Lennon than when he was with Yoko, both before and after. He clearly was glad to escape from his former hermit life and be out and about, enjoying his son for the first time in 4 years and playing music with many friends.
The book contains the last known photo taken of John and Paul and the never, ever before seen shot of John's hand as he signs the final document to dissolve the Beatles. It brought tears to my eyes.
Every Beatle fan in the world has been waiting for this book and these pictures--to finally set the record straight about the true nature of the "lost weekend".
Very Cool
By A1SGUMVW8FRUDF on 2008-03-27
This photo book is exremly cool!! Every John Lennon fan must own it. There are rarely photos of John, just being John. These photos show a more relaxed, family oriented John. I have it on my coffee table and I love that my daughters friends ask who is he? "Us fans" get to introduce a whole new generation to a musical genius.
RIP John, You are missed!!!!
- A must for any John Lennon fan
By APE7RY25UI7DV on 2008-03-28
This amazing photo essay includes never-before-seen images of John from his time with May Pang. John has never looked more relaxed and at ease than in this candid and intimate photos -- and they certainly portray him as being much happier than the media has painted him during this time. It is a comfort to any fan of John's to know he was this happy and at peace in the last years of his life. Ms. Pang's commentary that accompanies the photos adds personal touches that make this book truly magical.
- Lennon Lite!
By AN3MHNH3C8FJE on 2008-05-02
John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" gets the 'once over lightly' treatment in this reminiscence by May Pang, his companion/girlfriend during that period. Pang was an employee of John & Yoko when 'Mother' lined Pang up with her husband. Pang and Lennon were an item from mid-1973 to 1975 and INSTAMATIC KARMA is the account of those months.
Pang's account of her time with Lennon is a collection of reminiscences; certain moments, events or people being described as well as illustrated with photographs she took at the time. Short chapters talk about first visits with son Julian, John signing the papers dissolving the Beatles, sailing/swimming trips, hanging out with Harry Nilsson and so on.
Pang's book is valuable in correcting misconceptions regarding the Lost Weekend. As revealed in the book, Lennon didn't spend the entire time acting like an idiot and getting wasted with Nilsson but, as shown in the book, had many wonderful moments with family and friends.
Having said that, I was somewhat disappointed by the slightness of Pang's effort. I was hoping for more insights into the man. Likewise the photos are a mixed bag; most are fair to good, a few are filler. In any case, it's a quick read.
Depending on how you view John Lennon, INSTAMATIC KARMA may be an essential purchase or a missed opportunity. I enjoyed the book but I'm not wild about it. Recommended with some reservations.
- outstanding!
By AZPMXAZNQ6Y8X on 2008-07-13
You'll wish the book was a little bit thicker and with more photos and text, but I guess there will be a volume two. Either way it's great to be able to see any unreleased photos of John Lennon.
- Leaves You Wanting More
By ACK880145VWRV on 2008-11-02
It is hard to pick up a book about John Lennon these days without coming across the words "icon" or "iconic." So for die-hard Lennon fans, this book does not disappoint. The book consists of 138 pages of text and photos, chronicling was has become known as his "lost weekend" with May Pang--the employee designated by Yoko Ono to "date" John when they were on the outs. But this weekend was not a weekend at all, but an 18-month relationship that quickly became a love affair from 1973 to 1975. May was the yin to Yoko's yang (forgive the alliteration), and she created a safe harbor for him to escape his high-profile and sometimes destructive lifestyle and to reconnect with his son Julian and old friends. John and May took informal snaps of each other and of those in their world during this period, both in color & black and white, most taken with either a Polaroid or Instamatic camera. Unfortunately some of the shots, quite frankly, are a bit substandard to publish. They are the kind that we all take of our significant others without much regard to setting or composition or even focus, and then we throw them in a shoebox just as May did and forget about them. These only got into print because John was who he was. But there are others in this collection, many never seen before, that help to burnish or enlarge his image. He could be youthfully handsome or playful or cynical or contemplative, and those shots act as a Rorschach for those of us still wanting to understand who the "real" John Lennon was. He was comfortable enough with May to let his unguarded side show, and for that we should all be grateful for this visual history. A very touching element was the tribute from Cynthia and Julian Lennon on the book's back cover, lauding May for her openness and compassion towards them for which they say they will always be "her greatest champions." There was both a public Lennon and a private one, and this book is an interesting insider's peek at the latter.
- It just wasn't all that
By A21QHTEA5NXWI7 on 2008-04-15
It is cute but you really have to be a rabid Lennon fan to dig this book.
- Worth the price
By A2Z71R7CJEBBNA on 2008-05-07
The book would be better with more text. May Pang has written other books on her time with John, but it wouldn't have hurt to repeat some of her stories to make this book better. Diehard fans will find this book worth the cost merely for the photo of John and Paul together. Nothing dramatic, but it's the only one I've seen of them post-breakup, and it's reassuring to know they were getting along most of the time.
- This Book is fun...
By AFOUWAIWVLSUV on 2008-04-15
We are really enjoying this book and its a lot of fun. I just didn't know anything about this part of John's life before, or about May. He looks very happy and relaxed with her. This is the perfect gift for any Lennon/Beatles lover.
- Wonderful glimpse of John
By A1CPNGF4Y658KL on 2008-04-28
This is for anyone who loves The Beatles, but especially for those who love John. These are wonderful photos.
- Thank you May!
By A39I79H1A2A8C3 on 2008-05-19
Thanks to people in John's life that are willing to share the love with others.
- Another John Lennon
By A3MRA3P94RJO5D on 2008-06-02
It's always great to see new photos of the beatles that we haven't seen before, especially when it's the late John Lennon. This book reveals John's 'Lost Weekend' life as one of fun and adventure, really helping to shape and make clear a part of John that was secret for a long time. I loved this book and recommend it to any Lennon fan.
- May Flowers
By A3UXU4YM508ZEA on 2008-06-21
You can breeze through this book in less than an hour-the written parts are short and succinct. May Pang's photos vary in quality from blurry to excellent, and reveal a happy ex-Beatle during a musically productive period of his life that he later dismissed as his "lost weekend". He looks anything but lost. This is clearly a labor of love from Pang, and it shows.
- Fantastic pictures!
By A20KQX3DYE64IJ on 2008-07-08
I absolutely love this book. I've been a collector of books on John, especially photo books for most of my life. What I love about this book is that the pictures are so natural and beautiful. There are hardly any "posed" pictures at all and the ones that are posed are more like family photos than something done for a publicity package. It's John looking healthy and happy and I adore it. Thanks, May!
- Nikkormatic Kam-ra
By A33V0BS84K1YGF on 2008-08-20
Nikkormatic Kam-ra
May Pang used two cameras to make the incredible photos in this book:
Her hastily packed 35 mm Nikkormat and a Polaroid SX-70 instant camera Lennon bought for her later. The SX-70 is in the cover photo. Sadly not a blurry Kodak Flashcube Instamatic photo in sight.
The title "Instamatic Karma" is an homage to Lennon's famous song "Instant Karma".
Imagine being a young woman working as John's personal assistant, and having your boss's wife tell you to date her husband. That's how May Pang's 18 month "Lost Weekend" started. You almost wonder if Yoko Ono picked May Pang so she would be able to hip-check her and reconcile with Lennon later on.
Life in L.A., New York City, and Long Island are all chronicled here with bluish fuzzy Polaroid Instant photos, and Pang's historic inside views of life with John Lennon.
As the ultimate insider, it is surprising that she took so few photos, or that so few made it into this book. Many of the photos are the same shot from slightly different angles or moments. Surprisingly these are not repetitive, but give a feeling of three-dimensionality or motion.
Lennon always looks the same, glasses or not, clothed or half-clad. Here are photos you will not see anywhere else -- buy it now before this first edition becomes a collector's item.
(ccbysa clumberiler)
- Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon
By A1FGE3U1XH8G9O on 2008-04-04
If you are a John Lennon fan, this book is a must have. A great personal photographic insight into his life with May.
- Re-framing "The Lost Weekend," with Love
By A126GLPNRADEQL on 2008-04-13
Big kudos to May Pang for delivering this glimpse into a period of John Lennon's life which has come to be accepted in history as one of excess, anger, and drama. The reality of Pang's candid photographs show a happy, playful, relaxed Lennon, obviously enjoying himself amidst the uncertainty of the early post-Beatles years. The captions provide wonderful context and depth for the photos, and the photos themselves (I had only ever seen one or two of them published previously) show a very different, very human, side of Lennon during his infamous Lost Weekend.
- Wish there was more....
By AFQ1O6BTYRX0J on 2008-04-14
I enjoyed the book and especially the pictures, but wish Mai would have had more time with John. I think he was really happy during their time together... maybe things would have been different.
- Lennon AAA+++
By A2DBUEG43ILJ0V on 2008-09-06
This is a wonderful Book with Great Pictures of John and the stories behind them! May Pang period of Johns life away from Yoko, well for a little while anyway. Highly recommended!
- What might have been?
By A36BIHK2LSNNMY on 2008-10-14
I am not a huge Lennon fan but I did at one time like John quite a bit--I admit my feelings for him changed somewhat when he became involved with Yoko. I am not here to debate whether they had the perfect love--that's not for me to say--but I was very moved by this book...obviously his feelings for May ran much deeper than a "lost weekend". John seemed so happy here not like the angry LENNON REMEMBERS John or the defensive John that sometimes surfaced in the late 1970's and the early part of 1980. The last page of this book made my heart hurt. John was planning surprise Paul in New Orleans and to record with him again and then..what? He and May broke up obviously and within a year or two John was (by his own admission)telling Paul to not drop by without calling first (which was John's perogative). May has several anecdotes in this book that show John and Paul getting along quite well...and his friendships with George, Ringo, Mal, and Harry are also well documented. It was obviously a happy time in John's life and not the lapse that it has sometimes been labeled. I would be interested now to read other May Pang books. I recall how she was criticized for writing LOVING JOHN and wonder why, if it was as sweet as this book (which it may not have been), people were so critical of it.
- A nice book
By A2MSBO7XDK87SN on 2008-10-17
This is a nice coffee table type book that takes a look at that time period of her life with John Lennon. But if you really want to know what went on, read her book Loving John, a roller coaster of a book that in the end is sad and tragic, but worth reading.
- Instamatic Karma
By A17CD04BLX5EN8 on 2008-10-23
Very insightful book. Lots of never before seen photo's with written captions about each by May Pang. Very well worth your while if you are a Lennon fan or rock 'n' roll fan.
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