As I mentioned, I’ve started a small collection of photobooks. Every now and them, since a few years ago, whenever I have some extra money saved I go to a local bookshop, or the shop at the Photographer’s gallery in London and get one. Or maybe I order it online. I like going photography exhibitions (less now that I don’t live in London), that is another place where I’ve got some books. I may read about them somewhere, or listen to some podcast where they talk about photographers that I find interesting. Also I watch youtube channels. If you can, look at The art of photography, with Ted Forbes. So much interesting stuff discussed there. I also did some online courses about photography, not about the the technical part, but discussing the history and important people. So from all this, is where I get ideas about what books could be interesting for me.
I know, books occupy space, they are heavy when doing movings, but I really think they can be very tactile and inspiring. No need of an online connection to enjoy one. Also they have made me more selective with what do I share online. Because there was a time when I was taking pictures of everything, and everything was posted. Now I feel like there is a lot of similar images, all the same sort of stuff that has been seen before. And I don’t think there is need for more of the same. Sure, one can keep practicing photography as personal way of expression, and enjoy the 1000th thousand picture of a sunset or one point view perspective, but I try to not annoy everyone with them. Also it is a humbling experience when you see what has been done, and what you thought was good photography.
In a time where looking at pictures in Instagram is the way for many, I think I like going a bit old fashioned. From a quick look at my bookshelf, I can see William Eggleston, Saul Leiter, Josef Koudelka, Lartigue, Bill Brandt, Henri Cartier Bresson, Vivian Maier, Ernst Haas, Andre Kertesz, Robert Frank, Fred Herzog, Michael Kenna, Brassai, Wim Wenders (I know, this one is a film director, but his polaroids,and films, are beautiful), Steve McCurry, Sebastiao Salgado… Also some interesting anthologies or compilations of photography, like the Bystander book and the Power of photography.
So yeah, I will keep collecting these kind of books. Soon is my birthday, I may need a new one, suggestions?
We seem to share the same library. Saul Leitner, Vivian Maier, Kertesz, Salgado, Mc Curry, got them all 🙂 Do you have one with Doisneau’s work? If you like Cartier-Bresson you might like him too. More contemporary, you might want to check the work of Paul Cupido, his work is poetic and his books are little pieces of art. I also recommend you Hiroshi Sugimoto, and last but not least one of my favorite in my library The Granny Alphabet by Tim Walker. Cheers!
Hello Carole! I’ll take note of your suggestions. I went to an exhibition of Hiroshi Sugimoto in London a while back, loved the seascapes. Also, I forgot to mention, I even have a book of yours! Cheers! :)