Photography books are probably the most important resource in the development of my own photography education. Learning from others is an excellent way to improve your own skills and be inspired.
Books shown in this video:
Saul Leiter :: Early Black and White
Michael Kenna :: Images of the Seventh Day
Howard Greenberg Collection
Object: Photo
Modern Photographs from the Thomas Walther Collection (1909-1949)
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Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
3100 Main St #135
Dallas, Texas 75226
What i really hate about photography books is when the photo is spread across two pages. It takes a lot from the photograph and it is very irritating, why don't they have the book open upwards rather than right to left.
Nice video. Abebooks is one of my favorite sources for finding used books. Just FYI
Saul Leiter!!! My friend just got me one of his books with color photos for Secret Santa. It is fantastic and most importantly, I found that our styles are very similar. I couldn't be happier.
Ted, thank you for your entertaining and well produced videos. I learn something new with each. When it come to books as an investment, other than buying books that you enjoy? Purely first editions? Limited editions? What about books signed by noted photographers? Thanks again, I am new to this.
abebooks.com is also great!!
Hi interested in photo books try the real camera company Manchester UK lots of old photo books at about 5 to 10 pounds. Regards
Great video! ..spot on with the "get it when you see it" mentality…so true. I have over a hundred photo books, including a Kenna volume that I refer to often. Also, as you said, monographs are SO much more useful than how-to books. I always tell the young folks to look at monographs if they want to get better. I have fallen out of looking for books for a few years, but I may have just been inspired to start looking again!
half price books have some pretty good deals on photography books. also estate sales and such. Got some darkroom equipment from a guy the other day and he threw in 3 older books including Ansel Adams' "The Negative".
Thank you very much for that insight regarding the short runs of photography books. A couple of times I've missed getting books because I didn't know that fact but I hadn't connected the dots and realized why.
Hey Ted,
I found youre channel just very recently, but I am already addicted. Great work you are doing here. Thanks for that!
As you mentioned history books. Which book of the history of photography would you recommend? Are there any especially good ones?
I love the connection you made between studying photo books for inspiration and music. As a guitar player I've always thought the best way to find your sound is to find someone you would like to emulate and use that as the basis for your own experimentation. I think as long as you don't focus entirely on copying a style you inevitably blend what you love about your inspiration and your own circumstances and experience to find what is uniquely "your style."
I've taken more of an interest in photography books and have purchased a few thanks to you, Ted. So yeah, thanks 🙂
These kinds of books should be in some sort of online museum
+The Art of Photography
MINOLTA MIRROR MAGAZINE
I was given a magazine/book called Minolta Mirror by an uncle out of his collection back in 1990's since he saw I was really interested in photography. I didn't care or know much about collecting back then, but when I moved to the US, I thought of checking the rest of the editions on Ebay, and slowly, collected them all in pristine condition! I wanted to link a blog post I had written and I am sure you will LOVE these magazines. And as you mentioned, only a few editions are available anywhere online! https://sharetheview.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/minolta-mirror/
I found that WorldCat (https://www.worldcat.org) is a great site to search for books at public and private libraries. For example, I was looking for the "Henri Cartier-Bresson: Here and Now" (which is $50) and I found it at my public library! We forget that public libraries still exist! I was so happy that this book was available. Having an opportunity to check the book and evaluating it, was exciting. Another place that you can try is http://www.bigwords.com. Bigwords is site that will search at several sites and collect all the pricing information. Usually, Bigwords is more used for students looking for textbooks, but you might want to try this resource.
Love this episode. I've recently gotten back into photography, having sat out the digital age until just a few months ago, and have found books to be an awesome source of inspiration. Surprised you didn't mention that The Decisive Moment was recently reprinted and re-released. I pre-ordered my copy (arrived a couple of weeks ago) for the very reasons you pointed out. Fantastic book. Oh and BTW, for anyone out on the west coast Green Apple Books in San Francisco is a fantastic source for art books.
For me, the short printing run and rareness of books makes acquiring them that much more enjoyable. To have a shelf full of first editions is a beautiful thing.
The problems with editions going out of print is one reason why the internet is such a great resource. It is another reason why it's a terrible resource. The entire contents of books are often not available and the online experience is very different from the printed one, usually a worse experience the smaller the screen too.
I highly recommend abebooks.com. They specialize in old and rare and are often much cheaper than Amazon.
The library is also a good option for photo books that cost $0! I have a National Geographic "Visions of Paradise" checked out now and I have already found they have Magnum Contact Sheets at the Toronto Reference Library. A fan of your YouTube channel. Laters!
Here's a funny thing – I love photography but never buy any books or visit exhibitions. The only two I own were gifts from a photographer I used to work for. I might be a special case, but I'm easily intimidated by the work of the "masters", which keeps me from doing it myself. Making music was a huge problem for me, because whenever I tried to learn my guitar I was too easily frustrated because I knew I'd never reach the level of my heroes. Same goes for painting and other things. I think the thing that saved me was working for a photographer – after quitting that job I was thinking different about this art and only wanted NOT to become one myself, instead just do my own thing not looking up to anyone. I think it worked, I'm feeling free and don't judge myself too harshly. That's not to say others shouldn't get photobooks and get inspired, it's just a personal anekdote. I do however watch your videos, probably because I like hearing your view on photographs and what other people get out of a picture.
Hi Ted, you didn't mention university/art school libraries as a possible resource. While obviously they don't help collectors, for someone who needs inspiration or wants to learn, it can be a great and affordable way of getting hold of some material. Through inter-library loans, which some offer, the potential is large.
Hey Ted, great episode. I am all for an episode covering Saul Leiter's BW book. Thanks for introducing us to all of these great artists. I'll be in my local bookstore tomorrow morning 🙂
it would be cool if you could do a review or something on Lina Scheynius
its hard to get her books as she does everything limited and only once. i believe shes published round about 7 or 8 books
Talking about books I highly recommend watching the documemtary "how to make a book with Steidl".
It is really a great documentary about how much effort goes into making a good photo book.
Kinokuniya has simply the best selection of photography books I've ever seen in one store. I've only been to the Sydney store though, I haven't been to other stores around the world. Their online store isn't a great experience in my opinon, so best to go into a real store if you can and see for yourself.
My go-to for used / vintage books…Abebooks. com. If you want to read, but not buy, and your book is older than 1920 publishing date (copyright), you may be able to read it on line in a PDF file at OpenLibrary.com
I really enjoy this channel and all the info, tips and conversation that is published. I keep a list of books on my phone and it just got bigger! Thanks for sharing so much knowledge and information!
I only got two books yet. Magnum contact sheets and genesis from sebastio salgado. I recommend normal libraries for everyone on a budget. I know that my local library sells photography books from time to time for a very good price
I've gotten hooked on photography books like this. Just so you know when my wife asks I am blaming my addiction on you. Lol. Just kidding I am looking forward to more episodes of AOP Ted!
Books in general are still great ( underutilized ) things – I still prefer to actually read a physical book rather than on a Kobo or something similar and for photography there are still a few that take printing seriously enough to make it the next best thing to seeing in person…unfortunately the digital trend has affected that and we should be thankful that a few still carry on when the bean counters have decried that most are not worthy due to the "bottom line"….great show Ted pointing people to what has and does still matter….
I managed to find a copy of Annie Leibovitz's A Photographer's Life at a Half-Price Books for $17. It wasn't a mint copy by any stretch, but I wasn't going to pass on that kind of deal.
You are right, books can be VERY inspiring! I have been a pro shooter since 1985 and have found the work of the masters a required road map. Don't forget about Peter Turnley's books. His latest "A Love Letter To Paris" is awesome. It's hard to understand how one of the greatest combat photographers could produce such a top notch book on love but he did it. – McCoy