Great book on landscape photography

[36cm2]

Went to my local library and snooped around the photography section the other day. As I have a library of about 60 photography books at home, I wasn't expecting to find much. I was wrong. Picked up "Landscape", by the Library of World Photography. It's just excellent, presenting a collection of great landscape photography from the early 1800s to present. I had seen most of the 20th century photos already, but my mind was blown wide open by the quality of earlier work presented in the book -- most of it being mid-1800s albumen prints. About halfway through the book I put it down, turned to my wife and said, "how can something make you so happy and simultaneously so very depressed?" I may not pick it up for a few days, lest I give up trying altogether.

 

[gnuyork]

Thank you for this post. That book sounds interesting. I would like to see what was done in the early days of landscape photography in contrast to what is done today.

 

[gnuyork]

Just bought this book used on Ebay. My local library didn't have it listed when I did an online search. It will probably make a good reference source anyway. Thanks again for pointing this out.

 

[Allen Friday]

Now go to a museum and look at the prints in person. The book reproductions are good, but once you see albumen and silver side by side--well, let's just say it started a long slide into 19th century processes for my work.

 

[gnuyork]

I received the book last night, finally. This is a really good book! I will have to agree with 36cm2 (OP) that the quality imagery produced in the 1800s was quite spectacular.

Allen- I have been to some galleries and saw prints of Dorothea Lange, Imogen, Ansel Adams, Minor White, and others. Great experiences for sure, but it's still nice to have this book to browse through for reference and inspiration on the go.

In fact my photo mentor (photography professor) was a student of Minor White.

 

[mywork08]

how about "John Shaw's Landscape Photography" book?

 

[36cm2]

Posted wirelessly..

Great book as well; one of the first I ever purchased. I'd say "Landscape" offers a much broader and historically varied set of photos. I think we're very lucky to have such a great range of books on landscape work.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

You spark my interest. I'm going to look it up at my local library.

Jeff

 

[gnuyork]

how about "John Shaw's Landscape Photography" book?

yup I have this one too. Another good one. As well as Jack Dykinga's.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

how about "John Shaw's Landscape Photography" book?

Great book. One my early "bibles" I see refer back to from time to time. John is a heck of a nice guy too. I attended a multi-day seminar/workshop with him and George Lepp back in 2002. He needed a ride from a shooting location to his motel and back because he forgot something one of the days. I offered and got some short but great one-one time with him!

 

[Vaughn]

Now go to a museum and look at the prints in person. The book reproductions are good, but once you see albumen and silver side by side--well, let's just say it started a long slide into 19th century processes for my work.

I grew up with two mammoth plate prints by Watkins on the wall. Talk about having the bar set high before I even knew I was interested in photography! LOL!

Vaughn