What inspiring photography book did you read or buy recently?

pdeeh · Apr 18, 2014

Just found Ian Jeffery's "Photography: A concise history" in Oxfam for £1.99 and bought it without thought.

Half way through and it's probably jiggled my thinking about what I might be doing when I take my snaps more than any other book, including Berger and Barthes ...

dehk · Apr 18, 2014

A Day in The Life of America.

TheToadMen · Apr 18, 2014

cliveh said:
You don't need to do this, as you don't need permission.

I agree but better safe than sorry.
BTW: she already replied. "... You should ask permission but no one ever does and it's now a free for all and impossible to control. It's fine with me if you post my images on your blog - (but not to print anything . ) ..."

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

Valerie · Apr 18, 2014

I buy wayyyyyy more than is good for my budget.... but my summer reading list includes:
The Creative Photographer by Catherine Anderson
Talk about Contemporary Photography by Catherine Couterier
Vivian Maier
Francesca Woodman
Joseph Sudek
Julia Margaret Cameron
And a couple of Christina Anderson's books on Alternative Photography

Steve Smith · Apr 19, 2014

TheToadMen said:
As far as I know it is allowed in an "editorial way", when writing about a book (on a forum like this) while mentioning who's images it are and what book it is. I'm not reproducing the images as my own or in a commercial way. I'm writing an article or comment about the book. It is normal practice in Europe, but if it is not allowed on this forum, I can remove it?

As a side issue, a British TV programme recently used the fair use rules to its advantage. Comedian Dave Gorman wanted to use the front cover of Hello magazine. Whilst displaying the cover he told us that in order to use it, they had to ask permission of the magazine who had said "no". He went on to say "except if it is being used for criticism or review... in which case I think that is a really sh*t cover which looks as if it was designed by a bunch of paranoid, self protectionist morons".
He then continued with the comments he wanted to make about the magazine.

So the front page image got shown and used anyway and they also made Hello magazine appear stupid.

Steve.

Alex_LA · May 13, 2014

Just ordered a copy of "The Water's Edge". Looks beautiful and quite inspiring! Thanks for the recommendation.

cliveh · May 13, 2014

Not photographic, but how about the Mervyn Peake trilogy - Titus Groan, Gormenghast and Titus Alone?

andrew.roos · May 14, 2014

Sally Mann, Deep South. Thought-provoking images, more pictorialist than "straight photography" but with a very tactile nature due to her wet plate technique. I don't know yet whether I love 'em or hate 'em, but they are certainly an interesting counterpoint to my Adams and Ed Weston books!

Black Dog · May 14, 2014

Interesting indeed, though I still prefer her family pictures.

Jim Jones · May 21, 2014

Carleton Watkins: The Stanford Albums, published in conjunction with the Watkins 18x22 glass plate photographs on exhibit at the Cantor Arts Center of Stanford University through August 17. This hardbound 11x14 six pound book is a bargain at only $30.60 plus postage from Amazon.com. It is a revelation for us who have long admired Watkins' photography, recorded with artistic expertise despite great logistic difficulty 137 or more years ago.

Black Dog · May 21, 2014

That sounds an absaloute must have for anyone with an interest in landscape-thanks.

Magic2007 · May 21, 2014

Wow great topic and great books love all these book.

Dali · May 21, 2014

"Diane Arbus ou le reve du naufrage" by Patrick Roegiers. A brilliant essay about Diane's life and work. A very good complement to "Revelation".

"Limelight" from Helen Gee or how she created in the '50 the famous photo gallery in the Greenwich Village, a real adventure!

Black Dog · May 22, 2014

Foto-Modernity In Central Europe 1918-45- Essential for anyone with even a passing interest in the history and photography of the period. It's good to see lots of work by less familiar names in here too.

macfred · Nov 15, 2014

The mailman delivered a few older books today

- Camera in the hills - The live and work of W.A. Poucher by Roly Smith

- Escape to the hills by W.A. Poucher

- The West Country by W.A. Poucher

William Arthur Poucher (18911988) was one of the leading British mountain photographers and guide book writers during and following WW II.

Black Dog · Nov 16, 2014

Walker Evans and Company-exploring his influences and those who followed him. A fantastic book [see also Atget:the pioneer].

dreamingartemis · Nov 17, 2014

Magnum Contact sheet - cliche I know, but looking through all the contact sheets and the included final prints that went to press, I noted that some effort was applied in order to get the final print the way it is, and the original shot sometimes were underexposed or overexposed at times. This has led me to know understand that some exposure problems are normal (except the extreme ones), it just means more effort during the printing process so it sort of enforces the saying, "Getting it right the first time is still best."

canindya · Dec 22, 2014

I recently bought Friedlander (the big editiion from Museum of Modern Art) - Peter Galassi. This is a great book covering this amazing photographers works. Definitely worth the price.[h=1][/h]

Black Dog · Dec 22, 2014

His Letters From The People is also fantastic and everyone should have a copy!

MattKrull · Dec 22, 2014

I recently borrow David duChemin's Within The Frame from the local library. It is an instructional type book, with heavy leanings towards travel photography. His style is very strongly influenced by Steve McCurry. Even without the instructional bits, it is a nice book to look at just for the photos.

I've also recently picked up Yousef Karsh's American Legends. Unfortunately it lacks many of my favourite images of his (apparently most of my favourite photos by him were of non US citizens), but for $10 off Abebooks, it was money well spent.

Arklatexian · Dec 23, 2014

Just received "The Art Of Black-and-White Enlarging" by David Vestal. I was a fan of his columns and am looking forward to learning what he had to say on the "Art" part of darkroom work. Whatever he wrote, I'll bet, is interesting......Regards

rince · Dec 23, 2014

When it comes to inspirational photography books, the last two highlights I bought were :
Peter Olpe - out of focus
Arthur Meyerson - The color of light

I really love both books and was hardly able to put any of those down for too long during the last two weeks.

Gesendet von meinem iPhone mit Tapatalk

TheToadMen · Dec 23, 2014

oldtimermetoo said:
Just received "The Art Of Black-and-White Enlarging" by David Vestal. I was a fan of his columns and am looking forward to learning what he had to say on the "Art" part of darkroom work. Whatever he wrote, I'll bet, is interesting......Regards

I enjoyed his columns too. Let me know how you liked this book, please. Or forward it to me when you're finished with it

Alan Johnson · Dec 23, 2014

"Dogs in Vogue-a Century of Canine Chic"
http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Vogue-Century-Canine-Chic/dp/0316027138

ewernotme · Dec 23, 2014

I'd say On Photography by Susan Sontag, short but good photo theory book. Makes you think about yourself, your relationship with the camera and subject. Also anything written by Minor White!

What inspiring photography book did you read or buy recently?

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