The Photobook Thread

[Daniela]

I was going to include Kim Beil's channel but she has only posted a handful of videos and the last one was quite a while back. But I do like them and wish she would post more frequently.

Such a shame, isn't it? I also wish she'd do more of them.

Borut Peterlin has also done a series of photobook reviews.

 

[Mike Lopez]

My latest addition. I recently came across a very modestly priced first edition, but I couldn't get past the ~1" rip in the dust jacket. So this will do:

 

[MTGseattle]

I've got my eye on a couple of Brett Weston titles; "Master Photographer" and/or "Photographs from 5 decades." what say the jury? Is one or the other any better? Are there a bunch of duplicate prints if i end up with both?

 

[logan2z]

I see that Steidl is finally about to release Robert Adams's Summer Nights, Walking and Eden. Both are currently available for pre-order and they're supposed to ship next month. I've already got the original Summer Nights and Summer Nights, Walking so I'm probably going to pass on that one, but I'll likely pick up a copy of Eden.

 

[logan2z]

My latest addition. I recently came across a very modestly priced first edition, but I couldn't get past the ~1" rip in the dust jacket. So this will do:

View attachment 343683

That looks like a great book. I might have to seek out a copy too.

 

[logan2z]

I've got my eye on a couple of Brett Weston titles; "Master Photographer" and/or "Photographs from 5 decades." what say the jury? Is one or the other any better? Are there a bunch of duplicate prints if i end up with both?

I don't own either book, but there's some feedback on 'Master Photographer' in this Photrio thread:

"Best" Brett Weston book -

I recently checked out Brett Weston's book Hawaii from the local library. Beautiful images and well done I might add. This has gotten me interested in picking up one of Brett's books. Which ones do you like and why>? I have been interested in Brett Weston - Personal Selection; or Master...

www.photrio.com

 

[logan2z]

If anyone is looking for a good source of photo book reviews, check out this site:

Category: Photobooks | Collector Daily

collectordaily.com

No affiliation, but an avid reader.

 

[albireo]

I see that Steidl is finally about to release Robert Adams's Summer Nights, Walking and Eden. Both are currently available for pre-order and they're supposed to ship next month. I've already got the original Summer Nights and Summer Nights, Walking so I'm probably going to pass on that one, but I'll likely pick up a copy of Eden.

Fantastic. Thanks for the heads-up. Preordered both.

 

[Daniela]

I knew I was forgetting someone...this is in Spanish only, unfortunately. The presenter introduces herself as a photography investigator and communicator (not sure that's the correct term). She has a blog, podcast, YT channel, etc. Super interesting to listen to.

https://www.youtube.com/@CartierBressonnoesunreloj

 

[Mike Lopez]

I've got my eye on a couple of Brett Weston titles; "Master Photographer" and/or "Photographs from 5 decades." what say the jury? Is one or the other any better? Are there a bunch of duplicate prints if i end up with both?

Put a gun to my head and tell me to choose, and I'm picking Master Photographer. Take the gun away, and I'm keeping both books.

Also, do not overlook A Personal Selection, and if you really want a fine collection, invest in the Lodima series of his portfolios. Those books are luscious.

 

[cliveh]

Just to be clear, I thought a photobook was a book of photographs. But it seems not. This is the RPS statement about them:-

Photobook ‐ “A concept‐led book that uses photography as a medium of visual communication in its own right.” Photobooks are based on an idea or concept, with all aspects of the book, not only the photography, being aimed at the presentation and experience of the idea or concept to the reader. It differs from a book of photographs, where the book is the container for the photographs. What's looked for in a photobook is particular attention to the book as an object, in which the selection of images, sequence, scale typography, and materials are all carefully considered.

 

[logan2z]

What's looked for in a photobook is particular attention to the book as an object, in which the selection of images, sequence, scale typography, and materials are all carefully considered.

The books discussed in this thread are consistent with this definition.

 

[Pieter12]

I've got my eye on a couple of Brett Weston titles; "Master Photographer" and/or "Photographs from 5 decades." what say the jury? Is one or the other any better? Are there a bunch of duplicate prints if i end up with both?

I have Photographs from 5 Decades and can say it is a very good book, kind of a "best of." I also have several of his Lodima portfolios and they are excellent as well.

 

[ajmiller]

Had a few days in Paris seeing family and managed to bring these back. Two second hand (Bert Hardy and Les Rois du Pave), one gift (Harry Gruyaert) and one new (Julia Margaret Cameron).

 

[logan2z]

Not sure what's going on a Steidl, but it seems like the floodgates have opened and they're releasing a new book almost daily.

I see that they've just released a new William Eggleston book entitled Mystery of the Ordinary. It contains some of Eggleston's early B&W work which I think is interesting (I'm still kicking myself for not buying a copy of Before Color when I had the chance at a reasonable price) but the color images look to be the same ones published in nearly every other Eggleston book. So it's a pass for me, but it could be interesting to someone who doesn't currently own any Eggleston monographs.

 

[MTGseattle]

I'm ashamed to admit that I have zero Robert Adams on my bookshelf. These recent Steidl developments will likely correct that flaw.

 

[albireo]

Not sure what's going on a Steidl, but it seems like the floodgates have opened and they're releasing a new book almost daily.

I see that they've just released a new William Eggleston book entitled Mystery of the Ordinary. It contains some of Eggleston's early B&W work which I think is interesting (I'm still kicking myself for not buying a copy of Before Color when I had the chance at a reasonable price) but the color images look to be the same ones published in nearly every other Eggleston book. So it's a pass for me, but it could be interesting to someone who doesn't currently own any Eggleston monographs.

It's the book accompanying the Eggleston exhibition 'Mystery of the Ordinary' at C/O Berlin, in Germany.

William Eggleston | C/O Berlin

co-berlin.org

It was released during the exhibition. I attended it, and purchased the book on the spot. Unfortunately, I'm quite disappointed by the rendition of the images in the book, which is somewhat lackluster compared to what I saw hanging from the wall at C/O Berlin.

 

[logan2z]

Unfortunately, I'm quite disappointed by the rendition of the images in the book, which is very lackluster compared to what I saw hanging from the wall at C/O Berlin.

That is disappointing. Steidl books are generally very well printed.

 

[logan2z]

I'm ashamed to admit that I have zero Robert Adams on my bookshelf. These recent Steidl developments will likely correct that flaw.

If you're looking for one good overview of Adams's work, rather than collecting several individual books, you might want to consider American Silence published by Aperture.

 

[albireo]

That is disappointing. Steidl books are generally very well printed.

They are, and this is too, but there was some magic in the exhibited prints that I felt the book wasn't able to replicate

 

[Peter Schrager]

you can still buy many of the Lodima books directly from Paula. Some of them were printed in Belgium and are done in 600 DPI; which is unheard of in the printing world. The books besides being beautiful will be worth many times their current value in the future besides being works of art.
Steidl books can be hit or miss. I respect the man for his output but in many the printing leaves something to be desired. Some of the college press print great books. Yale; University of Texas; Chicago; Princeton all print very high quality books.

 

[albireo]

Steidl books can be hit or miss. I respect the man for his output but in many the printing leaves something to be desired. Some of the college press print great books. Yale; University of Texas; Chicago; Princeton all print very high quality books.

Thanks. Where can one source these apart from the usual suspects (Amazon)?

 

[logan2z]

Thanks. Where can one source these apart from the usual suspects (Amazon)?

You can buy these books directly from the publisher's web site:

Yale University Press (Photography books)

University of Texas Press (Photography books)

Princeton Press (Photography books)

I see you're located in Europe. I don't know how expensive it would be to have these books shipped to you. Perhaps there are European book dealers who carry some of these titles that could ship for less.

 

[MTGseattle]

I just wanted to point out another strategy for throwing money around.
If you have a local book-store in your area that you wish to support, simply get the isbn of the title and see if your local shop can order it for you.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Blurb pulishes books by people who are amateurs and make their own books through them. Here's Fine Art Photography. You can check out other categories as well. If you want to see what photogrpahers beside the famous are doing today. You may be surprised how good some of them are.

Blurb Books