Documentary-Collection Books

I purchased this book looking for photographs by John Collier, Jr., and found Russell Lee and Jack Delano, too. I absolutely must have more of their work and will continue to look. Looking back, it seems that in the 1960s, journalism photography was defined by action-packed scenes from the Vietnam War, but these photos of the 1930s and '40s are more a document of how people lived in these adobe villages of New Mexico, particularly around Taos, (but also the trainyards of Albuquerque, and Anglo villages like Pie Town). I had sought out Collier's photos because of their still-life art quality--and found more. All these photos are quiet; they are haunted, somber, and play in the imagination long after the book is placed back on the shelf. These photos are like objects of contemplation, meditations on a vanished way of life preserved forever on film, the faces of women and men, boys and girls captured for posterity.

Truly, I believe that the people in these photos were not poor--as we think of the Depression; they were rich in culture and family connection, rootedness to their villages. My favorite Collier photo is "Congregation leaving the church after mass, Trampas, New Mexico, 1943." The women are in their Sunday best clothing ("American" style), vulnerable to the wind and snow, but faithful to their customs and way of life, while the buildings all around are "quaint" adobe. The haunted quality of these b & w photos is similar to that of Ansel Adams's, "Moonrise, Hernandez, 1941"--depicting a Hispano village about to change forever because of World War II and the out-migration of villagers. Thank you forever to everyone involved with preserving these photos; soulful gratitude to the long-gone photographers.

Anyone interested in cutting edge photographic book design should buy this book. Gilles Peress has reinvented the photographic book with this volume. Peress has an amazing composition sense unlike any other photographer working today. This book is a must see and will preserve for all time the horror of the Bosnian War.

Peter Watson does a great job of explaining how you visualize an image but his explanation of how he uses filters to warm up the scene or change the mood with a particular filter is worth the price of the book. I personally am beginning to pay attention to the techniques used by European and especially English photographer. It is a different prospective and one you can apply to your on style of landscape photography. Peters influence on how I now view a scene and how I handle the light I am dealt has given me many more option to make better images.

Try the book you will like it.

This book offers a glimpse into the world of the Amish which has basically remained unchanged. It is a world uncomplicated by todays technological advances. It is a world that I respect and admire. The photographs in this book brought me closer to the amish people and captured the beauty of the people and the land. George Tice is a master of photography.

van Stralen has assembled a gorgeous collection of nudes. Students from the Academy of Dance in Arnheim model for him, so they are not just young and athletic figures. They have exceptional command over their bodies as well, so they create and hold poses that not many other models could even think of.

Some of these images, reminiscent of Weston's, present elegant, angular geometries in terms of the model's native curves (e.g. p.9,103), a pleasing visual paradox. Others (p.33) expand those curves, at every level from a flexing arm or sweep of bust, up to graceful arcs the whole length of her body. Then there are pictures that simply baffle, at first glance: multiple bodies (p.30), dramatic highlights (p.35), or seemingly impossible geometries (p.44,81). More than other photographers, van Stralen makes use of a model's hair in his compositions. Some times, it seems like a mask, to preserve the privacy of her face (p.20) or to provide compositional contrast against her skin tone (p.80). Other times (p.37) her hair becomes a major theme of the photo, or (p.42,98) a soft and flowing texture to set off the precise engineering of the model's muscled frame. Pregnancy's rich curves add unique sensuality to a few of these images (e.g. p.72), as well.

van Stralen has an obvious passion for these figures - the biographical note says he often works with dancers and other artists. This work owes as much to the models as to him, though. These anonymous young women have clearly put their finest skills into creating sculptures from themselves, using trained knowledge of their athletic potential. This combination of form and vision works uncommonly well. I look forward to future collections of these artists' collaboration.

-- wiredweird

The entire collection of Magnum photo books are both magical, and inexpensive. Perhaps I'm biased, but I found this glimpse into the lives of the stars and starlets of screen, and stage most appealing. I'd highly reccomend any of the titles in tha Magnum library to anyone interested in history, and or photography.

FLATIRON, by Peter Gwillim Kreitler, represents a first for the AIA. This book is the most important compilation of Flatiron Building photographs. And, as the AIA recognizes, the building was a landmark in architectural development. Thus, the AIA chose to devote an entire publication, for the first time, to a building and its photographic record, and not solely to its architect/builder. The reproductions of well-known as well as hard-to-find photos are exceedingly well done, portraying developments in both architecture AND the blossoming field of photography. Reverend Kreitler's personal collection is the basis for this pictorial monograph; he has been collecting for many years and is an accomplished photographer and author. Daniel Burnham's Flatiron is a watershed in American architecture, parallelling and following upon, but not mimicing, the work of Louis Sullivan in Chicago. Siting was key, and influenced the use of materials, as well as the aesthetic in which Burnham worked. The building remains an important landmark in New York City, and deserves a visit by all who appreciate early examples of integration and art in the modern architectural vernacular. If you can't visit in person, the early record of this remarkable structure displayed so artistically in this classic monograph will serve you very well.

This is a large coffee table type of book.It manages very well in giving an overview of the accomplishes in flight without going into tremendous detail. It has 256 pages,most of which consist of an excellent choice of photographs.It is presented in 6 Chapters;
Beginnings
Exubernce
War
Blue Skies
Hot Wars and Cold Wars
and
Maturity
There is a substantial index,a list of Picture Credits and 7 Double Page Flight Blueprints , each with a detailed,cut-away illustration with each part identified by a number along with its name or description.To give an idea of the detail given;the Boeing B-52G bomber with cruise missile,has 200 parts identified. Even the Spitfire fighter has 134 parts detailed. In all there are Flight Blueprints for;

Spitfire fighter
Boeing B-17G bomber
Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter
Locheed Constellation airliner
Boeing B-52G bomber with cruise missile
and ,
Concorde supersonic airliner

There are over 300 photographs,all excellent,historical and stunning.As one would expect in a book such as this,the earlier photographs are B&W,and the more recent are in color.
With so much to choose from,it is an extremely difficult to make choices,and only a small sampling could be included.Don't be disappointed if some of your favorite machines have not been included, they can't all be there.
When you finish the book ,you can't be but amazed how much of an impact competition,be it for peaceful flight or for wartime advantage ,had in the development of flight machines;and how quickly it all happened.
This book is listed here in two versions.The one I have was published by Carlton Books,on August 1,2003.It is ISBN 1-84442-903-2,Hardcover glossy surface plus dustjacket,256 pages,4.29 pounds,11.5 X 11.6 inches,and a List Price of $45.
The other one listed is published by Firefly Books,on November 2,2004. Its ISBN is 978-1552979846,Softcover,3.19 pounds 11.2 X 10.3 inches and a List Price of $24.95.There is a review there that is less than enthusastic about its quality.Maybe the quality between the two is reflected in rhe prices.
As far as I anm concerned,the copy I have is excellent in quality and gives an excellent overview if the history of flight and some excellent photographs.

Captivating in their arrangement and iridescent quality, these photos almost appear other-worldy. Many of these pressed flower photographs are so vibrant they practically jump off the page. Full-page prints on white backgrounds are solely devoted to the natural beauty of each specimen. Some are more artistically "styled" than others but all are undeniably striking. The second half of the book is comprised of detailed descriptions on each specimen including latin name, region of cultivation, history and foklore.

Margaret Morton has a way of allowing her photos to speak to us. We are at once drawn and repelled by her photos. I believe her subject matter taps into something 'primal' (not in the sense of 'primitive' but in the sense of 'real') in all of us.

While the photos, in black and white, are quite stark, there is an element of beauty that seeps from the reality of the subjects photographed. There is not much sensationalism and there is a sense of pride in the dwellings constructed. Morton's photos and allowing the people to speak for themselves makes for an insightful and moving photo essay.

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