The Photobook Thread

[Alex Benjamin]

The Blu-ray selection is pretty um eclectic

The photography section is also pretty, um, eclectic. A Photographic History of Orgies is a title new to me. I'm tempted to get it just to see which camera they used to capture Roman orgies in 44 BC...

 

[logan2z]

The photography section is also pretty, um, eclectic. A Photographic History of Orgies is a title new to me. I'm tempted to get it just to see which camera they used to capture Roman orgies in 44 BC...

Have you looked at the Taschen catalog lately? They've been advertising a big book sale, up to 75% off some titles. Along with books like Salgado's 'Exodus' (at 50% off) and 'Genesis' you'll find titles like 'The Little Big Butt Book' and 'The Big Book of Breasts'. There's a couple more in that series whose titles I won't even post A truly bizarre collection of photobooks.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I found out about Hamilton's way back in the 90s when they sent out an actual catalog. They originally sold remaindered and shop worn books for really cheap. I have never looked at their other offerings but I'll take your word for it. They don't seem to have the selection they did years ago. Still, it seems to remain a good source but you do have to do some digging.

 

[MTGseattle]

Agreed. I didn't scroll through enough blu-ray pages for it to tumble into the X-rated stuff. I was surprised more by the sheer number of B-movies that I never would have thought would go to blu-ray or even dvd.

Hamilton has a few of those Taschen titles.

 

[logan2z]

Picked up a copy of Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective from Photo Eye's 20% off Valentines Day Sale. I used to be lukewarm on his work but really came to appreciate it when seeing it in person at an exhibition at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA a few months ago.

 

[Pieter12]

I ended up with Joe Deal’s “West and West” from Hamilton books. Brand new, a wonderful book and a screaming bargain.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Picked up a copy of Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective from Photo Eye's 20% off Valentines Day Sale. I used to be lukewarm on his work but really came to appreciate it when seeing it in person at an exhibition at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA a few months ago.

I sold my copy last week. I had bought it hoping it would finally get me to appreciate his work, to no avail. I "get it," but it just doesn't speak to me.

 

[logan2z]

I sold my copy last week. I had bought it hoping it would finally get me to appreciate his work, to no avail. I "get it," but it just doesn't speak to me.

He's definitely an acquired taste. Seeing the prints in person gave me a deeper appreciation of his work.

 

[logan2z]

I ended up with Joe Deal’s “West and West” from Hamilton books. Brand new, a wonderful book and a screaming bargain.

It's one of my favorite landscape books. You got a great deal!

 

[logan2z]

Just received the copy of Thomas Joshua Cooper: Between Dark and Dark that I bought from a seller on eBay. I was a bit worried about this one since I got it for way less than they normally sell for. Luckily, it's in great condition (despite the packaging being less than stellar).

This is my first book from this photographer but probably not my last...

 

[albireo]

Re: Eden, a beautiful little book from Steidl. I really like the cover material and the choice of paper. I'm a big Robert Adams fan and have all but maybe three or four of his books. Still working on completing the collection

Same here, Logan, same here. Big Adams fan, but 7 months in after purchasing Steidl's Eden, still not a big fan of the choice of paper. I still hate it, in fact. I wonder what the reason was for choosing that odd textured uncoated paper.

I find myself picking up my Steidl copies of 'From the Missouri West' and 'Los Angeles Spring' all the time. Now, those are masterpieces treated with the care they deserved IME.

I've picked 'Eden' up a couple of times, quickly skimmed through it, then forgotten about it. A pity. I hope to stumble on some older edition at some point and sell this one I have on ebay.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Same here, Logan, same here. Big Adams fan, but 7 months in after purchasing Steidl's Eden, still not a big fan of the choice of paper. I still hate it, in fact. I wonder what the reason was for choosing that odd textured uncoated paper.

I find myself picking up my Steidl copies of 'From the Missouri West' and 'Los Angeles Spring' all the time. Now, those are masterpieces treated with the care they deserved IME.

I've picked 'Eden' up a couple of times, quickly skimmed through it, then forgotten about it. A pity. I hope to stumble on some older edition at some point and sell this one I have on ebay.

Same. Not thrilled about the paper choice for Eden.

 

[Pieter12]

Another voice about Steidl's sometimes questionable choice of paper. I purchase Henry Leutwyler's Document not that long ago. It was printed on an uncoated matte stock and the photos lacked the definition and clarity of color compared to what I had seen online and published elsewhere. I ended up returning the book as well as sending a note to Steidl about my disappointment. I also saw a similar paper choice with Stephen Vanfleteren's Presence, an otherwise excellent book published by Hannibal Books. I kept that one.

 

[logan2z]

Same. Not thrilled about the paper choice for Eden.

I guess I'm in the minority, I like the choice of paper for Eden. It reminds me of the paper used for American Silence. Robert Adams seems to approve of the choice as well, given his reaction to the book as Gerhard Steidl presents it to him at Adams' home in Oregon.

 

[albireo]

Robert Adams seems to approve of the choice as well, given his reaction to the book as Gerhard Steidl presents it to him at Adams' home in Oregon.

Thanks Logan, yes I'm familiar with that video. I think it's great if Robert himself enjoys the results - I'm happy if he does, but even in that case I don't think we must fully align, and that includes his current taste on the packaging and presentation of his art.

On the other hand he could just be a very, very polite man. He's appreciative of all the work that has been put into 'refreshing' a substantial chunk of his work, he's pleased that Gerhard has travelled so far to present him something he's clearly proud of, and perhaps doesn't find it necessary to make a 'fuss' about what he perhaps perceives to be minor details.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I have American Silence and the paper is a bit dissappointing. I think his work should be on glossy paper.

 

[Pieter12]

Matte or glossy, it doesn't really matter to me as long as it is smooth, coated paper. Uncoated, textured stock absorbs ink and renders less detail. A spot varnish on coated paper is nice, too.

 

[logan2z]

Matte or glossy, it doesn't really matter to me as long as it is smooth, coated paper. Uncoated, textured stock absorbs ink and renders less detail.

I ran across a video on Vimeo* a few years ago in which Lee Friedlander, Richard Benson (who knew a thing or two about printing) and Thomas Palmer were giving a talk and Richard Benson said: "The trouble with the world is coated paper" Apparently he was a big fan of uncoated paper and had convinced Lee Friedlander to use an uncoated stock when printing The American Monument (which looks great, IMHO). Unfortunately, the video seems to have disappeared from Vimeo.

*It looks like a similar discussion was had in this thread back in December 2023 and I made reference to the same video.

 

[Pieter12]

From Pocket Pal, a publication by International Paper, one of the major printing paper manufacturers in North America:
"Coated Papers
The great popularity of reproducing black-and-white and color brought about the development of coated papers.
These grades reproduce much finer halftone screens with sharper definition, improved density and greater color fidelity than can be reproduced on uncoated papers. Coated paper finishes vary from dull to very glossy, having a greater affinity for printing inks, greater smoothness, higher opacity and better ink holdout than uncoated papers."

 

[logan2z]

From Pocket Pal, a publication by International Paper, one of the major printing paper manufacturers in North America:
"Coated Papers
The great popularity of reproducing black-and-white and color brought about the development of coated papers.
These grades reproduce much finer halftone screens with sharper definition, improved density and greater color fidelity than can be reproduced on uncoated papers. Coated paper finishes vary from dull to very glossy, having a greater affinity for printing inks, greater smoothness, higher opacity and better ink holdout than uncoated papers."

What can I say. It was clearly an artistic decision made by Gerhard Steidl and Richard Benson, two people known for their expertise in printing photography. I personally have no issue with the choice of paper used for Eden, American Silence or The American Monument.

Did you ever hear anything back from Steidl after expressing your dissatisfaction with Eden?

 

[Pieter12]

What can I say. It was clearly an artistic decision made by Gerhard Steidl and Richard Benson, two people known for their expertise in printing photography. I personally have no issue with the choice of paper used for Eden, American Silence or The American Monument.

Did you ever hear anything back from Steidl after expressing your dissatisfaction with Eden?

I wrote Steidl about Henry Leutwyler's Evidence. They never responded. I don't have Eden, but I do have American Silence and that was printed on Mohawk Via paper. Here is what Mohawk claims: "Features Mohawk’s exclusive Inxwell surface technology, combining the tactile feel of uncoated paper with the ink density and sharp detail of coated." American Silence was not printed by Aperture, not Steidl, I do not know what paper Steidl used for Eden.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

I like the choice of paper for Eden. It reminds me of the paper used for American Silence.

You're right. They're not exactly the same, but closer than I thought. I have to figure out what bugs me in Eden that I'm not seeing in American Silence...

 

[logan2z]

American Silence was not printed by Aperture, not Steidl,

Right, I know. I just mentioned them in the same breath because they were both (seemingly) printed on uncoated paper. But it sounds like American Silence may not have been printed on uncoated paper at all, it just looks/feels like it.

I do not know what paper Steidl used for Eden.

In the video clip I linked to in a post above, Gerhard Steidl mentions that the paper used for Eden is called Kamiko and was developed by Steidl with a German paper mill.

 

[albireo]

I'm sure I'm the last one on here to find out, but I've recently found a number of books by Robert Adams which are both a) widely available and b) printed in what I thought was exceptional quality. Luminous highlights, fine details, no clipping at either end. This is how I like to enjoy his work.

EDIT I forgot to mention the publisher which is Yale University Press. I have three or four books by Adams from them, and while they look simple and unassuming from the outside, they're a pleasure to go through - for me.

 

[logan2z]

I'm sure I'm the last one on here to find out, but I've recently found a number of books by Robert Adams which are both a) widely available and b) printed in what I thought was exceptional quality. Luminous highlights, fine details, no clipping at either end. This is how I like to enjoy his work.

EDIT I forgot to mention the publisher which is Yale University Press. I have three or four books by Adams from them, and while they look simple and unassuming from the outside, they're a pleasure to go through - for me.

Yes, I have a bunch of Adams books published by YUP (maybe all of them ) and they are good. But I like Steidl's Eden so what do I know .

I have these and they are all still in print:

• Skogen (a different book from Adams but one of my favorites because of that)
  
  
• denver: A Photographic Survey of the Metropolitan Area, 1970-1974
  
  
• What We Bought: The New World, Scenes from the Denver Metropolitan Area, 1970-1974
  
  
• What Can We Believe Where? Photographs of the American West (a decent survey of Adams work, duplicates material found in other Adams books)
  
  
• Sea Stories
  
  
• This Day

YUP tends to have some good sales throughout the year so, if you're patient, you can pick these up at decent prices.

One Adams book that I really like but I don't think I've seen mentioned in this thread is Cottonwoods. Yes, it's a Steidl book but it's very nicely printed and it's not on uncoated paper. Still available too.