Book about Large Format Photography

[sofietje]

I am looking for a good book about large format photography. My boyfriend has recently bought such a camera and has learned the basic use in his architectural courses. I want to get him a book for his birthday that will go a little deeper then just the basics. Does anybody have an idea which book he might enjoy? It shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Leslie Stroebel, _View Camera Technique_.

 

[blokeman]

A User's guide to the View Camera, JIM STONE. Should be able to find a second-hand inexpensive copy... One specific website I know which will search 2nd hand shops for you is 'ABE BOOKS'.

 

[Jim Jones]

The excellent Stroebel book was published in many editions over many years. The earlier editions are fine for us who use old equipment. The last editions might be better for those with newer equipment.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Simmons is a more basic book--great for beginners. Stroebel is more comprehensive and technical--better for a more experienced user. I don't know Stone.

 

[jordanstarr]

Ansel Adams has a 3-part series of books called "The Print", "The Negative" and "The Camera". Each one goes over large format photography at some point and they're well illustrated and technical. They also cover all formats of film, all formats in cameras and lenses and all different kids of papers and developing techniques along with tricks and tips. I always refer to them even though Ansel and I shoot very different styles and subjects and I use a lot of the materials that he objects to. However, the downfall is a lot of it is personal opinion. He doesn't care much for plus-x and tri-x films that I use exclusively (for the time being, until there's no more left), but he knows a hellofalot more about photography than I do, so the books are very informative (he even shows you how to build your own ULF enlarger on a horizontal track projected onto the wall).

 

[david b]

Jim Stone is a good friend of mine and a great teacher. His large format book is top notch.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Using the View Camera, by simmons. Explanation of movements, and the effect of the shciefilingplug.....schnieflignpulg....shnieflingplog....whatever....principle is well worth it. Many, many pictures, and clear illustrations.

Which is good for a man who sometimes has a mind like a turnip.

 

[Soeren]

The Stroebel book covers a lot of theory and can be a bit hard to get along with.
Kind regards

 

[AgX]

Not a book; but on the net there are lots! of pdf with texts by Harold M. Merklinger on the Scheimpflug rules. Print them out and add them.

 

[Mick Fagan]

As your boyfriend is doing an architectural course, which by it's nature is technical, then I think the more technical book by Leslie Stroebel would be far more satisfactory.

I bought a secondhand version of his book called:-

View Camera Technique 7th edition, ISBN 0-240-80345-0

It is a hardcover book with around 450 photographs covering virtually all technical aspects of view camera technique as well as an array of stunning technically correct view camera photography in the latter part of the book. This covers architectural, portrait, catalogue, Landscape, Advertising, Exhibition and Technical photography.

I have borrowed the Steve Simmons book, Using the View Camera, as well as the Leslie Stroebel book, View camera Technique from my library a few times. Both are excellent books but for technical depth of almost all aspects of view camera technique, Leslie Stroebel's book was my choice after seeing both.

It is more expensive, but secondhand, it is far more affordable!

Mick.

 

[AgX]

Mick,
What a great public library you got at your place!

Except for my own copy I only ever saw that Stroebel book at the Photokina.


Btw, my very first literary contact with field and view cameras was via the Linhof books. Not really comprehensive but quite informative and there are some copies around in the low lands.

 

[John Koehrer]

I think the Stone book is a good marriage of theory and technique.
Far more easily read than Strobel's.

 

[LVaszar]

There is as usual a progression... Steve Simmons' book Using the View Camera is the best way to start. Jack Dykinga has a book on Nature fotography with the Laargre format camera. nice mix of esthetics with practical applications. Leslie Stroebel's is A LOT more technical. They are all good but they fullfil different needs.

For a beginner I'd start with Simmons.

Good luck!

 

[sofietje]

Thanks guys. I think Stroebel might be the better option for him. He's got the basics down so I think this book might just be better.

 

[Chazzy]

Leslie Stroebel, _View Camera Technique_.

Stroebel has a really deadly prose style, though--which would probably be even worse for someone whose first language isn't English.

 

[Akalai]

A lot of these books mentioned can be found in good libraries and especially University libraries which possibly your b/f already has access to.... how about inspiring your boyfriend to learn more.... this is what I'd LOVE to receive from my g/f;

Julius Shulman; Modernism Rediscovered
http://www.amazon.com/Julius-Shulma...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207452430&sr=8-1
Hardcover: 1008 pages
Publisher: Taschen; 3 Volumes, Slip Case edition (October 30, 2007)
ISBN-10: 3822842877
ISBN-13: 978-3822842874

Ofcourse it isn't cheap and you'd want to make sure he enjoys modernist design, but if he does this is a set of books that he'd always treasure.

You can find out a little more on Julius Shulman by reading this Wikipedia link and it's associated links;
Julius Shulman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Shulman

...and by doing a Google images search for "Julius Shulman;"
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=julius+shulman&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi