The Photobook Thread

Alex Benjamin · Aug 10, 2023

Italian photographers seem to be kind of a blind spot. Haven't seen many mentioned on Photrio. They're certainly missing in my photographic culture. I know of Guido Guidi, but hove no books of his, and have one book of essays by Luigi Ghirri. Even though I know there always has been a strong 20th century photographic, my knowledge essentially stops there. Except for one book, which happens to be one of my favorite in my collection.

It's a book of 400 photographs by Gianni Berengo Gardin, published by Actes Sud. Not in love with the format—and I do wish someone here could point me to an available edition of another book of his photos, if there are any—, but really love the style.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 10, 2023

Few more by Gardin from the Italiani series.

These are from the web. The reproductions in the book are of OK quality, but very contrasty, and the whole (400 photos in small format) feels really cramped. I'd really love to find a modern, better printed edition.

snusmumriken · Aug 10, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Italian photographers seem to be kind of a blind spot. Haven't seen many mentioned on Photrio. They're certainly missing in my photographic culture. I know of Guido Guidi, but hove no books of his, and have one book of essays by Luigi Ghirri. Even though I know there always has been a strong 20th century photographic, my knowledge essentially stops there. Except for one book, which happens to be one of my favorite in my collection.

It's a book of 400 photographs by Gianni Berengo Gardin, published by Actes Sud. Not in love with the format—and I do wish someone here could point me to an available edition of another book of his photos, if there are any—, but really love the style.

View attachment 346176

Really interesting. Thanks for raising this. You are right, but I can’t think why it would be a blind spot, especially for us Europeans. I have a feeling there’s a blind spot about Italian engineering too.

MattKing · Aug 10, 2023

Our Fiat 500 means that my wife and I appreciate Italian engineering, as does my experience with Durst photographic equipment .
Perhaps many people think first of Italian cinematography, not Italian still photography.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 10, 2023

MattKing said:
Our Fiat 500 means that my wife and I appreciate Italian engineering

From May to November, my main ride around town is a Vespa, so I know what you mean.

MattKing said:
Perhaps many people think first of Italian cinematography, not Italian still photography.

Indeed, as far as the arts are concerned, many household names in cinematography as well as in literature, and, dare I say it, opera singers and conductors . I'm sure there are Italian photographers that are, of have been, if not famous, at least well-known in their country, but if that's the case, I wonder why that fame and/or recognition would have radiated so little across the borders.

Which brings the next question: anybody knows of Italian photo book publishers of interest?

logan2z · Aug 10, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Which brings the next question: anybody knows of Italian photo book publishers of interest?

Contrasto is one that comes to mind.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 10, 2023

logan2z said:
Contrasto is one that comes to mind.

Thanks ! And wonderful serendipity, as the first book I see in their catalog is...

snusmumriken · Aug 10, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Italian photographers seem to be kind of a blind spot. Haven't seen many mentioned on Photrio. They're certainly missing in my photographic culture. I know of Guido Guidi, but hove no books of his, and have one book of essays by Luigi Ghirri. Even though I know there always has been a strong 20th century photographic, my knowledge essentially stops there. Except for one book, which happens to be one of my favorite in my collection.

It's a book of 400 photographs by Gianni Berengo Gardin, published by Actes Sud. Not in love with the format—and I do wish someone here could point me to an available edition of another book of his photos, if there are any—, but really love the style.

Well, on the strength of your prompt, and because I haven't indulged for a while, I've just ordered this book from Amazon. Reviews say it is beautiful. I'll let you know when it arrives.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 10, 2023

snusmumriken said:
Well, on the strength of your prompt, and because I haven't indulged for a while, I've just ordered this book from Amazon. Reviews say it is beautiful. I'll let you know when it arrives.

Do let me know how good it is. I've seen it on amazon.ca, but the price tag is different. Yours is at 50£, which comes to about CAN85$, while on amazon.ca I find it at CAN185$!... I'm rather tempted to get the Gardin books from the Contrasto link logan2z gave me. My Italian is good enough that I could probably get through the texts with the help once in a while of a dictionary.

Arthurwg · Aug 10, 2023

Spent last Saturday volunteering at Radius Books for their Artist Weekend. Many great books to look at and the chance to meet the photographers/ artists. Got to meet one of my favorites, Mark Klett, and take home a free book..

Pieter12 · Aug 10, 2023

Check out Luigi Ghirri.

logan2z · Aug 10, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Thanks ! And wonderful serendipity, as the first book I see in their catalog is...

Excellent!

logan2z · Aug 10, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Italian photographers seem to be kind of a blind spot. Haven't seen many mentioned on Photrio. They're certainly missing in my photographic culture. I know of Guido Guidi, but hove no books of his, and have one book of essays by Luigi Ghirri. Even though I know there always has been a strong 20th century photographic, my knowledge essentially stops there. Except for one book, which happens to be one of my favorite in my collection.

It's a book of 400 photographs by Gianni Berengo Gardin, published by Actes Sud. Not in love with the format—and I do wish someone here could point me to an available edition of another book of his photos, if there are any—, but really love the style.

View attachment 346176

Paolo Pellegrin is worth checking out. He's a member of Magnum.

Arthurwg · Aug 11, 2023

Just discovered a fabulous Russian photographer, Peter Bialobrzeki. He apparently has 18 books. Very surprised that I've never heard of him. Many of them are available on Amazon.

Arthurwg · Aug 11, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Another good bookstore in NYC for photo books is Rizzoli.
One new book I found that some here might be interested in is:

PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK: THIRD EDITION | Rizzoli Bookstore

Got a copy of this at Radius books in Santa Fe last week.

Pieter12 · Aug 11, 2023

Arthurwg said:
Got a copy of this at Radius books in Santa Fe last week.

Mary Virginia Swanson, the author, regularly gives seminars and workshops on the subject, many in Santa Fe.

Alan Edward Klein · Aug 12, 2023

Arthurwg said:
Got a copy of this at Radius books in Santa Fe last week.

What do you think of it?

Arthurwg · Aug 12, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
What do you think of it?

Not sure yet. My only other experience, regarding a friend who has published several books (not self-published), is that it cost him quite a lot anyway and it was largely his responsibility to flog them.

Pieter12 · Aug 12, 2023

Arthurwg said:
Not sure yet. My only other experience, regarding a friend who has published several books (not self-published), is that it cost him quite a lot anyway and it was largely his responsibility to flog them.

Yes, if you are not a blue-chip photographer, there can be quite a bit of out-of-pocket expenses, even with an established publisher such as Steidl. Also, it seems that today publishers want to be handed a ready-to-go project, complete with a marketing plan. The author is expected to be able to move a lot of copies on their own. The advantage of a publisher vs self-publishing is in distribution. Most bookstores won't touch self-published books, nor will they be reviewed by critics. A lot of sales occur during author readings and presentations, something that can be difficult if not impossible for the self-published book author to arrange.

snusmumriken · Aug 12, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
Do let me know how good it is. I've seen it on amazon.ca, but the price tag is different. Yours is at 50£, which comes to about CAN85$, while on amazon.ca I find it at CAN185$!... I'm rather tempted to get the Gardin books from the Contrasto link logan2z gave me. My Italian is good enough that I could probably get through the texts with the help once in a while of a dictionary.

It has arrived, and I’ve had a quick look through. It’s beautiful and utterly amazing. Thank you so much for making me aware of this guy.

The book itself is beautifully designed and printed. Only occasional photos are bled across pages, and they seem to have chosen photos where the composition actually works fine despite the seam. It’s a thick book, thick pages and 439 of them; but the binding seems well up the job … which is good because it’s going to get a lot of handling!

The text is a small fraction of the book. I don’t know any Italian, but I’m sure my phone will cope with translating it.

Bwbuff · Aug 12, 2023

snusmumriken said:
It has arrived, and I’ve had a quick look through. It’s beautiful and utterly amazing. Thank you so much for making me aware of this guy.

The book itself is beautifully designed and printed. Only occasional photos are bled across pages, and they seem to have chosen photos where the composition actually works fine despite the seam. It’s a thick book, thick pages and 439 of them; but the binding seems well up the job … which is good because it’s going to get a lot of handling!

The text is a small fraction of the book. I don’t know any Italian, but I’m sure my phone will cope with translating it.

I wanted to order this book as well in Canada, but couldn't find the exact title, would you please advise of the ISBN # ? so that I can search on Amazon. Thank you.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 12, 2023

Bwbuff said:
I wanted to order this book as well in Canada, but couldn't find the exact title, would you please advise of the ISBN # ? so that I can search on Amazon. Thank you.

Bwbuff · Aug 13, 2023

Alex Benjamin said:
View attachment 346437

Thank you . Much appreciated.

bjorke · Aug 13, 2023

Pieter12 said:
Yes, if you are not a blue-chip photographer, there can be quite a bit of out-of-pocket expenses, even with an established publisher such as Steidl. Also, it seems that today publishers want to be handed a ready-to-go project, complete with a marketing plan. The author is expected to be able to move a lot of copies on their own. The advantage of a publisher vs self-publishing is in distribution. Most bookstores won't touch self-published books, nor will they be reviewed by critics. A lot of sales occur during author readings and presentations, something that can be difficult if not impossible for the self-published book author to arrange.

Here are the authors talking about PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK of the "United Nations of Photography" podcast a few weeks ago.

PODCAST: A Photographic Life, Episode 271: ‘Photobook Special’ with Mary V Swanson and Darius Himes

In this ‘Photobook Special’ episode UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed connecting with Mary V Swanson in Arizona and Darius Himes in New York to discuss their book Publi…

unitednationsofphotography.com

Of course, we can all hope to be like my friend val who got a call from a publisher wanting to do a book with him in four languages -- but only because he had decades of magazine work. Otherwise, it's up to you.

Pieter12 · Aug 13, 2023

bjorke said:
Here are the authors talking about PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK of the "United Nations of Photography" podcast a few weeks ago.

PODCAST: A Photographic Life, Episode 271: ‘Photobook Special’ with Mary V Swanson and Darius Himes

In this ‘Photobook Special’ episode UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed connecting with Mary V Swanson in Arizona and Darius Himes in New York to discuss their book Publi…

unitednationsofphotography.com

Of course, we can all hope to be like my friend val who got a call from a publisher wanting to do a book with him in four languages -- but only because he had decades of magazine work. Otherwise, it's up to you.

Has anyone thought about the fact that Ms Swanson has to constantly push her book and workshops, even though it was published by a reputable publisher?

The Photobook Thread

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