Looking for an Old, British "How To" Photo Book

[Shawn Rahman]

Here goes a shot in the dark:

I am looking for an old photography "how to" book that was published in the U.K., and most likely in the late 60s. Unfortunately, I know neither the title or the author, but it was a relatively small book - about 6" by 8", and the version I read was in hardcover. It was profusely illustrated in B&W and all of the pictures were taken in and around London & the English countryside. I think it was mostly geared towards 35mm.

While it was a begineer's reference guide, it contained a lot of very useful and basic information. It is a lot like Michael Langford's basic 35mm photography books, but a lot less technical.

I know that is a very broad description that could potentially describe many, many books, but does anyone have a a book that fits this description, or can take a guess at a title to get me started on a search?

I stumbled onto this book quite accidentally about 25 years ago, and it was perhaps the book that I most learned from when I first started photography. I would love to find it again somehow.

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[mopar_guy]

You might try looking for titles by a publisher: Focal Press Limited.

 

[Ian Grant]

There was a small book, I think possibly by Langford himself with a black cover inc a photo, roughly early 70's but beautifully illustrated and extremely well written. Sounds like the same one, it was fairly basic but straight to the point and an extremely good first book for budding photographers.

It wasn't the usual How to book rather aimed at how to see images as well as take them, I lent my copy to quite a few people who all found it very helpful.

Ian

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Here goes a shot in the dark:

I am looking for an old photography "how to" book that was published in the U.K., and most likely in the late 60s. Unfortunately, I know neither the title or the author, but it was a relatively small book - about 6" by 8", and the version I read was in hardcover. It was profusely illustrated in B&W and all of the pictures were taken in and around London & the English countryside. I think it was mostly geared towards 35mm.

While it was a begineer's reference guide, it contained a lot of very useful and basic information. It is a lot like Michael Langford's basic 35mm photography books, but a lot less technical.

I know that is a very broad description that could potentially describe many, many books, but does anyone have a a book that fits this description, or can take a guess at a title to get me started on a search?

I stumbled onto this book quite accidentally about 25 years ago, and it was perhaps the book that I most learned from when I first started photography. I would love to find it again somehow.

Thank you for any suggestions!

It might not be the exact book you are looking for, but `The Complete Photographer` by Ronald Spillman is a book worth reading.

 

[Andy K]

Here goes a shot in the dark:

I am looking for an old photography "how to" book that was published in the U.K., and most likely in the late 60s. Unfortunately, I know neither the title or the author, but it was a relatively small book - about 6" by 8", and the version I read was in hardcover. It was profusely illustrated in B&W and all of the pictures were taken in and around London & the English countryside. I think it was mostly geared towards 35mm.

While it was a begineer's reference guide, it contained a lot of very useful and basic information. It is a lot like Michael Langford's basic 35mm photography books, but a lot less technical.

I know that is a very broad description that could potentially describe many, many books, but does anyone have a a book that fits this description, or can take a guess at a title to get me started on a search?

I stumbled onto this book quite accidentally about 25 years ago, and it was perhaps the book that I most learned from when I first started photography. I would love to find it again somehow.

Thank you for any suggestions!

A book which matches this description is The Complete Amateur Photographer by Dick Boer. First published in 1948 and reprinted several times. Many examples in the book were shot in London and the English countryside.

 

[Shawn Rahman]

A book which matches this description is The Complete Amateur Photographer by Dick Boer. First published in 1948 and reprinted several times. Many examples in the book were shot in London and the English countryside.

Andy:

YOU MADE MY YEAR, BROTHER!! That is exactly the book.

As mundane as the title of this book sounds, I really had no hope to remember the name of the book. I held little hope that my very vague description would get me the answer I was looking for. I am very grateful. Thanks so much!

Now - somehow to locate one of the editions from the late 60's!

 

[MattKing]

Shawn:

If you'd like a copy of the 1952 version (titled "The Complete Photographer") you can have mine for the cost of postage.

Sadly, I don't have any copies of any of the other titles in the series, which include "The Complete Foxhunter" and "The Complete Jujitsuan", among others.

Matt

PS the 1952 edition is fascinating, but probably too dated for what you want.

 

[bdial]

Here are some sources;

http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?a...axprice=&classic=on&mode=advanced&st=sr&ac=qr