VIDEO
CNN correspondent Jeanne Moos skims through Helmut Newton's big book. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

November 30, 1999
Web posted at: 5:07 p.m. EST (2207 GMT)

"It's not a book, it's an object," says Newton, 79, one of the 20th century's most influential, intriguing and controversial photographer.

"Sumo" is "the biggest, fattest and most expensive book, by the greatest and most prolific genius of photography," wrote a reviewer in a popular French photography magazine.

Apparently the publisher realized the difficulty in casually flipping through such a large book, so they stuck legs on it. "It's a collector's item," said Newton, a German-born photographer who is known as much for his stunning nude images as he is for portraits of celebrities, including Salvador Dali, Catherine Deneuve and Jodie Foster.

Despite a heavy price tag -- $1,500 -- "Sumo" is available through the popular online book sellers.