latest additions to your library

michaelwj said:
My current dilemma is deciding on an HCB book. Of those who own them, which one would you choose between Modern Century and Scrapbook, or another?

Michael
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I wouldn't say that Scrapbook is a great choice if it's to be the only book on HCB, just as I wouldn't say that Revelations would be a great choice as the only book on Arbus. Of the other books I have, Henri Cartier Bresson / Photographer (published by Thames & Hudson in the early 1980s) is like a giant catalogue with a hilariously pretentious introduction, but the one I really like is The Early Work published by MoMA, probably because I think that this was his strongest period. Not sure if either of these is readily available.

Lawrence
 
I second the nomination of HCB / Photographer (T&H) as it constitutes a very well-curated selection of his great work. The first real photobook I owned and I still look at it regularly after 30 years.
 
lawrence said:
I wouldn't say that Scrapbook is a great choice if it's to be the only book on HCB, just as I wouldn't say that Revelations would be a great choice as the only book on Arbus. Of the other books I have, Henri Cartier Bresson / Photographer (published by Thames & Hudson in the early 1980s) is like a giant catalogue with a hilariously pretentious introduction, but the one I really like is The Early Work published by MoMA, probably because I think that this was his strongest period. Not sure if either of these is readily available.

Lawrence
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Agreed. Josef Koudelka was appalled that Scrapbook was published; he's a man who is very careful about what he photographs and how it is exhibited. I saw the exhibit at the ICP and I have the catalog, and as I recall at the time there was a Martin Munkacsi exhibit also there and that just blew me away. The HCN one was just meh in comparison and I don't say that lightly. I also have The Early Years and highly recommend it.
 
lawrence said:
I wouldn't say that Scrapbook is a great choice if it's to be the only book on HCB, just as I wouldn't say that Revelations would be a great choice as the only book on Arbus. Of the other books I have, Henri Cartier Bresson / Photographer (published by Thames & Hudson in the early 1980s) is like a giant catalogue with a hilariously pretentious introduction, but the one I really like is The Early Work published by MoMA, probably because I think that this was his strongest period. Not sure if either of these is readily available.

Lawrence
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Thanks Lawrence, Photographer is hard to come by for a reasonable price, but The Early Work seems easy to find for under $100 on Amazon (vs >$400 for Photographer)

peter_n said:
Agreed. Josef Koudelka was appalled that Scrapbook was published; he's a man who is very careful about what he photographs and how it is exhibited. I saw the exhibit at the ICP and I have the catalog, and as I recall at the time there was a Martin Munkacsi exhibit also there and that just blew me away. The HCN one was just meh in comparison and I don't say that lightly. I also have The Early Years and highly recommend it.
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I had heard this too, but sometimes I feel more can be learned by seeing some of the not so good images. The Early Work hadn't even come onto my radar honestly but I will look into it. Any comparisons to Modern Century?

Michael
 
MichaelW said:
By chance I borrowed this from my local library today. Excellent printing and a good selection of photos.
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I particularly like the size and format. One photo one the right hand page, all the same format. It makes the work very cohesive to view. I also found it an interesting selection, especially from the later years, where there are some so so images (compared to the earlier work) with some absolute stunners mixed in from the same period.

Michael
 
"Mallorca" by Baltasar Porcel It is a photographic book about Mallorca. The images are far better than the average seen in table top books. Porcel is not the photographer but the all the photographers are known Europeans.
 
michaelwj said:
My current dilemma is deciding on an HCB book. Of those who own them, which one would you choose between Modern Century and Scrapbook, or another?
Click to expand...
I can second the recommendations for Photographer.

Modern Century is a super book overall, but some of the reproductions are disappointingly small. I am fortunate to own copies of Photographer, The Decisive Moment (bought both for very reasonable prices) and Modern Century (Christmas gift a few years ago from my wife). Photographer is probably my favourite photography book, period. Mine is the original ICP/Delpire paperback copy. Also have his Inner Silence book of portraits, but I wouldn't get that as my only HCB book.
 
MONO Volume One
270 PAGES - HARDBACK
CLOTH COVER
with SILVER HOTSTAMPED TITLES
Premium Art Paper 200gsm
4 Color Offset printing
Sewn Binding
Gomma Books Ltd, London

See here :
http://www.gommabooks.com/estore.php

The publisher is sold out but you can still find this book on Amazon UK

From the publisher:
"MONO is a 270-page hardback book showcasing an exciting collection of contemporary black and white photographers. It showcases renowned artists such as Antoine D'Agata, Trent Parke, Anders Petersen, Roger Ballen alongside a vibrant selection of internationally recognized photographers and promising talents. The works of each artist blend together so elegantly and beautifully to create an enthralling visual journey. An unforgettable display of some of the most striking monochrome imagery. MONO is a celebration of that beautiful and timeless art medium that is black & white photography."

I'd say "recommended with minor reservations". This book provides an inspiring overview of a selection of contemporary photographers working in black and white . Very stimulating to see them all grouped in one place. A lot of unfamiliar names (for me) . My reservations are that (1) there is no critical apparatus (the introduction by a renown critic seems like a command job quickly dispatched) and (2) most of these photographers share a common aesthetic , which I happen to like but seems limited if your topic is "mono" . No street (may be a good thing...) or especially documentary photography , even in cases where these styles are preoccupied with aesthetics as much as reporting. Still - a great buy.
 
lamefrog said:
...
I'd say "recommended with minor reservations". This book provides an inspiring overview of a selection of contemporary photographers working in black and white . Very stimulating to see them all grouped in one place. A lot of unfamiliar names (for me) . My reservations are that (1) there is no critical apparatus (the introduction by a renown critic seems like a command job quickly dispatched) and (2) most of these photographers share a common aesthetic , which I happen to like but seems limited if your topic is "mono" . No street (may be a good thing...) or especially documentary photography , even in cases where these styles are preoccupied with aesthetics as much as reporting. Still - a great buy.
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It is a great buy - I'm also lucky enough to have a copy. Very high quality publication. No common theme apart from all images being in B&W, so styles and subject matter is quite diverse. One of my favourite photo books that I own.

Currently enduring Susan Sontag's On Photography. About half way through. My head hurts, slightly. Although I am not struggling too much with the thematic content, I am dubious about Sontag's use of synonyms where more easily digestible language is available. I can understand where people may get the idea of it/her being slightly pretentious could come from...
 
Black said:
Currently enduring Susan Sontag's On Photography. About half way through. My head hurts, slightly.
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I read it after so many people recommended it, and I feel your pain. It felt like swimming through a pool of verbal pudding. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to recognize its value. Or alternatively, reading it after the bright analytical prose of Gerry Badger on photography made me recognize it as being highly overrated. Let's assume me being an idiot is the proper explanation though.
 
My latest is: Clyde Butcher-Florida Portfolio II. Went to one of his exhibits this week and my wife finally understood why I like black&white so much. Huge prints were displayed and a nice video of how he works. Who would think a swamp could look so good.

Mike
 
Just came in.
Sebastião Salgado: Workers: An Archaeology of the Industrial Age
Vivian Maier: Street Photographer
Vivian Maier: Self-Portraits
Pentti Sammallahti: Here Far Away


Am searching for Jason Eskenazi's Wonderland. Pls kindly share if you can still find a copy somewhere, I would like to get one. Thanks.
 
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