Read Any Good Books Lately?

[ray_g]

There was a recent thread mentioning "Bystander." I am curious if any other members found any particular books (or websites) that would that they would highly recommend:

1. Photographic technique books that stand head and shoulders above others in the bookshelf.

2. Photo books (bodies of work) or sites.

3. Any other category.

 

[captainslack]

I just started Ansel Adams "The Camera". Haven't gotten far enough into it to form an opinion yet, but so far so good.

 

[RayPA]

.

2. Photo books (bodies of work) or sites....

I've two that I acquired about a month or two ago. I'm "reading," as much as these books can be read (in the tradiional sense), Walker Evans' Hungry Eye by Mora & Hill, and Doisneau Paris by Ollier. I also have the most recent Arbus book, Family Album, but the other two have captured my attention wholeheartedly. My actual "reading" is unrelated to photography, so these image books are refreshing, inspiring, and fun.

 

[ray_g]

I picked up "Weegee" at a discount bookstore in Chicago a few weeks ago. I am also in the middle of "Bystander." Both great street photography books.

Anyone else enjoy "Lenswork?" They just came out with "Lenswork Extended" in CD form (about 3x the content of the print form), with Charter subscripions available till June for only $29/yr (50% discount). At http://www.lenswork.com. Will let you know how that turns out.

 

[peter_n]

This falls into category 2: Andre Kertész by Sarah Greenough, Robert Gurbo, and Sarah Kennel. Published in January earlier this year it is the catalog for an exhibition that finished May 15 at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. The exhibit is moving to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art where it will be on show June 12-Sept 5.

The book looks really interesting and I've finished the first chapter but I have to work the whole weekend (and tomorrow) - horrible deadline on Tuesday. 🙁

 

[richiedcruz]

I am currently working my way through Isabel Allende's new book Zorro. It is pretty good so far, but I am only a third of the way through. I also picked up Strange Days, Dangerous Nights a couple of weeks ago and have been studying it. I love the crime scene photos. Some of them are so vivid, it is like something out of an episode of CSI 😀 . I have now added a whole lot of other crime photo books to my Amazon wish list.

Richie

 

[nwcanonman]

While I'm at about chapter three in Bystander, I picked up a copy of Family of Man, which is quite moving.
Tomorrow, off to shoot Memorial Day ceremonies here in the WA state capitol. Always interesting happenings ~ ; - )

 

[StuartR]

Andre Kertész by Sarah Greenough, Robert Gurbo, and Sarah Kennel.

I am reading a book on him by Pierre Borhan. It is excellent. I am also reading on Jacques-Henri Lartigue who is also very interesting and a lot of fun. My friend who works at Yale Press gave me their giant "History of Japanese Photography" which I still want to go through carefully. Beyond that, I am reading Gunter Osterloh's "Leica M Advanced Photo Course" which is excellent.

For daily reading however, I am reading Henning Mankell's Swedish detective novels. They are fabulous. I am on book five or so -- "One Step Behind". I highly recommend them to anyone. I guess they are outselling Harry Potter in Germany, but they are still not that widely known in the US.

 

[aizan]

i've been looking at moriyama's '71/ny, peress's telex iran, and bystander (starting part 4 tomorrow).

i haven't gotten any how-to books lately, though i've been meaning to order a book al kaplan recommended on pn: "35mm Negs and Prints".

 

[ray_g]

I do a good deal of my photography when I am traveling. I highly recommend Bob Krist's "Spirit of Place."

Can anyone recommend a good book on composition. I have read "Learning to See Creatively" by Bryan Peterson, and liked his style a lot. Grill and Scanlon has put me to sleep each of the three times I have borrowed it from the local library. I've heard good recommendations re Andreas Feinninger's book on composition, but it is out of print.

 

[peter_n]

Ray the two I have that I like are Design and Composition Secrets of Professional Artists published by International Artist magazine; and Composition in Art by Henry Rankin Poore published by Dover Publications.

 

[StuartR]

John Berger's "Ways of Seeing" is a great book for anyone interested in looking at the world critically. It was a BBC production in the 70s I think, but the book that went with it is excellent. It is still in print:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140135154/104-8145455-0959924?v=glance

 

[RayPA]

John Berger's "Ways of Seeing" ...[/url]

Wow! Now that brings back memories! I read that book many, many, many years ago. You're right, though. It is a classic. It was required reading back in Photography 101. 🙂

 

[StuartR]

It is a really intersting book. I read it for a high school literature class on perspective in literature (books told from interesting or multiple points of view).

 

[Little Prince]

This falls into category 1.

I have Tim Rudman's 'The photographer's master printing course' and like it VERY much. Do take a look at it if you haven't already done so.

 

[Dean]

The “how to” book I find myself referring to most often is Sussman’s “Amateur Photographer’s HandBook” (1973 8th edition ).
Watch for at summer garage sales; it should be going for less than $1.00.

If you are looking for web links to composition articles try this link:

http://photoinf.com/

Don’t forget your local library. Ottawa (Canada) has a great one and I can “preview” most of the ones I am thinking about buying.


Cheers

Dean

 

[ray_g]

Wow, that composition webpage looks like it will keep me busy for the next several days. Thanks for sharing.

It has been very interesting seeing the diversity of reading we are all into.

 

[Jon Goodman]

Not a camera or photography book in any measure, but "The Secret of Santa Vittoria" by Robert Crichton is a lot of fun. It was a best seller for months in 1968 or 69 and still plays well. Another for a laugh is "Stormy Weather" by Carl Hiaasen.
Jon

 

[peter_n]

A web page on photography as drawing:

Photographing People 2: Specificity and The Figure Group

 

[Roman]

Haven't really read it recently, but a while ago - I really like the late Barry Thornton's 'Edge of Darkness' - it is mainly a book about how to get the sharpest possible prints through right equipment and chemistry, but what I really like is Thornton's funny and engaging style of introducing the technical chapters with very well written stories and anecdotes...

Roman