How many photographic books do you own?

Christopher Walrath · Feb 18, 2010

Dear Lord. I have a library that dates back to 1907 IIRC. Perhaps older. And that's just photography. Lots of American Revolution history as well. A 1858 biography on George Washington. Not like the current statistics books on the subject. Only sixty years removed from him being alive, it is not nearly as cold as modern thomes, much more engaging. One from the 1880's regarding John Adams. One of the best reads I have ever undertaken. Read it three times this far.

mwdake · Feb 18, 2010

I was going to pick < 25.
But just counting from what I can see on the books shelf as I post I got to 22 and I know I have some in the bedroom and more in another room.
I am guessing 30-35; however it seems I have a lot of catching up to do judging by some of the numbers posted.

Ralph, when is the 2nd edition of 'Way Beyond Monochrome' coming out?
I'd like to boost my book count up by 1.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 20, 2010

mwdake said:
...Ralph, when is the 2nd edition of 'Way Beyond Monochrome' coming out?
I'd like to boost my book count up by 1.

This spring. If you wish, I can add you to the notification list. Just send me an email by clicking here:

http://www.waybeyondmonochrome.com/WBM2/Where_to_Buy.html

RalphLambrecht · Feb 21, 2010

RalphLambrecht said:
206 and counting!

Well, could not resist and went up to 212 over the weekend.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 21, 2010

I counted over the weekend. I have 69 both in the shelf next to the recliner and the one next to my bed. This does not count the 70 or so in the shed that have not been brought in due to a lack of shelving. Might have to place them in the corner under the enlarger just to have them near, huh.

IloveTLRs · Feb 22, 2010

One: Showa Style. The page is in Japanese, but there are plenty of sample photos from the book. I love 1950s things and Japan, put them together and I spend hours flipping through this book.

stillsilver · Feb 22, 2010

157. Not counting periodicals. 60 or so are technical and the rest are monographs, bios, etc.

An interesting note would be that most of the tech books were purchased when I was a younger photog and most of the rest later in my life.

I also have 4 library books. Do they count?

Mike

JohnArs · Feb 22, 2010

A bit over 100 without counting because some are at my studio!

mooseontheloose · Feb 22, 2010

I voted before I counted (surely not more than 50?) -- 70 on the shelves here, and more in (5-10) in boxes in the basement that I've outgrown (beginner photography books and such). Most of my purchases in recent years are either monographs, or books dealing with alt. processes.

canonman · Feb 22, 2010

Its 97 - when I count those two, that are on the way to my house. And I am waiting for the new "Way beyond monochrome" - hope it will come up soon - so that I can climb over the 100

Christopher Walrath · Feb 22, 2010

A DeWitt Jones book arrived in the post today. Make that 70. And counting, I believe. And don't forget the aforementioned shed with unknown volumes abounding.

photomc · Feb 22, 2010

David Brown said:
I had never counted and I'm shocked. I stopped counting at 100, but it's less than 250.

Ditto, and still not enough...there are Sooooo Many more that I want to find, buy, etc.

+1 on the 1/2 Price books, found more than one at these stores...a wonderful Tice, Shelby Lee Adams and more. Some are local to the area I live in, so they are extra special.

Great Thread!

John Koehrer · Feb 23, 2010

photomc said:
Ditto, and still not enough...there are Sooooo Many more that I want to find, buy, etc.

+1 on the 1/2 Price books, found more than one at these stores...a wonderful Tice, Shelby Lee Adams and more. Some are local to the area I live in, so they are extra special.

Great Thread!

The problem is, The books are printed faster than I can print the money!

chriscrawfordphoto · Feb 23, 2010

I have about 500 photo related books out of the 2000 or so books that I own. The rest are mostly history books

RalphLambrecht · Feb 23, 2010

chriscrawfordphoto said:
I have about 500 photo related books out of the 2000 or so books that I own. The rest are mostly history books

They must be worth a fortune, but then again, what's the price tag for knowledge?

jovo · Feb 23, 2010

RalphLambrecht said:
They must be worth a fortune, but then again, what's the price tag for knowledge?

I have about 5 or 6 photographic monographs on my nightstand. I choose one at bedtime not as a soporific, but as an imaginative inspiration appropriate for that time of day. A novel or nonfiction tome would likely beg turning page after page, but lingering on a photograph is a complete experience that can linger, quietly in my mind as I close the book and the light. It is very satisfying.

I'm not sure what knowledge they impart, but such books of photographs are sustenance for the soul.

monosnaps · Feb 24, 2010

I have in excess of 150, mainly monographs, have tried in recent times to add as many Irish photography books or Ireland related subjects as I can find. The Irish market is quite small so quality can often be poor on older books. I make up for this by buying a couple of Steidl editions each year, stunning quality.

photomc · Feb 24, 2010

monosnaps said:
I have in excess of 150, mainly monographs, have tried in recent times to add as many Irish photography books or Ireland related subjects as I can find. The Irish market is quite small so quality can often be poor on older books. I make up for this by buying a couple of Steidl editions each year, stunning quality.

Local monographs can be special even when the quality is not quite there. If you care to list any of the titles monosnaps would be fun to try an locate them on this side of the pond.

Not sure if I just imagined this or not, but seems like there used to be a site (and may still be) where someone reviewed a Large List of photo books...anyone else recall the web-site?

doughowk · Feb 24, 2010

Mike C, you might be referring to 5B4 site.

photomc · Feb 25, 2010

doughowk, I think that is it...Thank You.

jp80874 · Feb 25, 2010

Ralph,

Could you tell us a little of what this poll means to you? I am guessing that it has to do with the release of the second edition of your book. Do the poll results offer positive sales predictions? My experience is more in selling warehouse software rather than marketing to individuals. How is a survey like this used?

John Powers

paulie · Feb 25, 2010

zero , not on the poll

Metroman · Feb 25, 2010

Jeez - my 12 year old son reliably informs me I have 731 on my shelves. A large chunk of them came from my father and grandfather quite a few are early 20th century/late 19th century.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 25, 2010

jp80874 said:
Ralph,

Could you tell us a little of what this poll means to you? I am guessing that it has to do with the release of the second edition of your book. Do the poll results offer positive sales predictions? My experience is more in selling warehouse software rather than marketing to individuals. How is a survey like this used?

John Powers

John

There is no direct marketing intent here, but you are right, this poll tells me at least one thing. Apparently, people still consider books to be a valuable investment and are proud of their collections. This is a good thing!

RalphLambrecht · Feb 25, 2010

paulie said:
zero , not on the poll

May I ask why no books on photography?

How many photographic books do you own?