On the path to better photography, we can learn a lot from studying the photography of great artists and their own influences (looking to other photographers themselves but also painters, designers, filmmakers). This month’s selection comprises some excellent restrospectives to delve into for pure enjoyment or creative inspiration but also some engaging technical & artistic guides that will teach you the secrets of looking for light, lines, and moments.
Hold still : a memoir with photographs
“In this groundbreaking book, a unique interplay of narrative and image, Sally Mann’s preoccupation with family, race, mortality, and the storied landscape of the American South are revealed. Sorting through boxes of family papers and yellowed photographs she finds more than she bargained for: “deceit and scandal, alcohol, domestic abuse, car crashes, bogeymen, clandestine affairs, dearly loved and disputed family land . . . racial complications, vast sums of money made and lost, the return of the prodigal son, and maybe even bloody murder.” In lyrical prose and startlingly revealing photographs, she crafts a totally original form of personal history that has the page-turning drama of a great novel but is firmly rooted in the fertile soil of her own life.” (Syndetics)
Two
“A visual and literary exploration of the unique dynamic of two. Two, a stunning collection of ninety images by award-winning photographer Melissa Ann Pinney, is a provocative, nuanced visual investigation of the relationship between two beings, whether they are relatives, friends, teammates, lovers, or strangers. With an introduction by bestselling novelist Ann Patchett, this beautiful volume contains exclusive literary contributions from ten of our finest contemporary writers on some aspect of two. Together, Pinney’s powerful work and these extraordinary prose pieces present the multifaceted connection between beings that is at once wholly unique, yet universally understood.” (Syndetics)
Joel Meyerowitz : retrospective
“Alongside William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld and Mitch Epstein, New York-born and bred Joel Meyerowitz is one of the most important representatives of the New Color Photography movement of the 1960s and 70s. This retrospective traces his entire oeuvre, from his street photography to his light experimentations made during “the blue hour” in Cape Cod, and includes famous series such as “Cape Light,” “After September 11: Images from Ground Zero,” “Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New York City Parks,” in addition to the artist’s much-loved early work-his first trip to Europe in 1967. The New York native became an early advocate of color photography and was instrumental in transforming a general resistance to color film into an almost universal acceptance.” (Syndetics)
Louis Vuitton fashion photography
“Louis Vuitton Fashion Photography is an unprecedented visual history of the company, seen through its presence in photographs. This exceptional album features over two hundred images by the most important modern and contemporary photographers, including David Bailey, Henry Clarke, Patrick Demarchelier, Karl Lagerfeld, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, David Sims, Bert Stern, Juergen Teller, Mario Testino, and Bruce Weber.” (Syndetics)
The Haight : love, rock, and revolution : the photography of Jim Marshall
“Covering one of the most unforgettable moments in modern history-and including images of Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsburg, and more- The Haight is an indispensable gallery of legendary photographer Jim Marshall’s Sixties-era San Francisco photography. Widely regarded as the cradle of revolution, San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury grew from a small neighborhood to a worldwide phenomenon-a concept that extends far beyond the boundaries of the intersection itself. Renowned for his portraits of some of the greatest musicians of the era, Marshall covered Haight-Ashbury with the same unique eye that allowed him to amass a staggering archive of music photography and Grammy recognition for his work.” (Syndetics)
Cindy Sherman
“Cindy Sherman (b. 1954) is her own subject matter. One of the most celebrated contemporary female artists she has, for a period spanning more than thirty years, used make-up, prosthetics and props to present herself in the guise of numerous different personae, placed in contexts that draw on the visual conventions of film, television and the media. This book introduces some of Sherman’s most important works, from her seminal 1970s series Untitled Film Stills, to her progression into colour photography in the 1980s series Centerfolds. It also presents her most recent pieces – large-scale murals and photographs, in which more ambiguous identities are played out within epic landscapes.” (Syndetics)
How to photograph everything : simple techniques for shooting spectacular images
“The world is full of breathtaking images just waiting to be captured, from soaring views of architecture to photos of nature’s many splendors, from meaningful portraits of loved ones to exhilarating, gravity-defying action shots. How to Photograph Everything is the gorgeous guide to creating these images and more, providing photographers of all levels with vital gear advice, cutting-edge technical guidance, and brilliant image-editing tips from the experts at Popular Photography. Plus, hundreds of dazzling, inspired images reveal what’s possible when you harness the power of your camera and the creativity of your mind.”(Syndetics)
Complete guide to digital photography
“Are you intent on capturing the perfect sunset? A budding photojournalist? Or ready to take your holiday snaps to the next level? The Complete Guide to Digital Photography is your definitive guide to taking, processing and printing sharper, more colourful and better looking pictures. Ian Farrell’s expert tips take you from the basics of using your camera to advanced darkroom techniques with 52 step-by-step projects including portraits, landscapes, still-life images, fast-moving objects and photographing live events. Easy-to-follow instructions introduce you to the latest software, allowing you to retouch blemishes, restore old photographs or adjust the colour to transform washed-out pictures into professional-quality photographs.” (Syndetics)
The visual toolbox : 60 lessons for stronger photographs
“Simply having a certain camera or lens isn’t going to make you a better photographer. So, what will? Understanding your camera. Thinking differently. Looking to painters, designers, and others who work in two dimensions and learning from them. Relentlessly looking for light, lines, and moments. Making photographs-thousands and thousands of photographs. There’s no magic bullet to achieving success, but in these pages you will learn the value of studying, practice, and remembering that your most important assets as an artist are imagination, passion, patience, receptivity, curiosity, and a dogged refusal to follow the rules.” (Syndetics)
Capture the moment : the modern photographer’s guide to finding beauty in everyday and family life
“Clickin Moms is the photography industry’s largest social network of female photographers, boasting a booming members-only community of more than 16,000 professional photographers, aspiring professionals, and women passionate about capturing their families’ everyday lives. This guide captures the spirit of the community by featuring a compilation of stunning member-contributed images paired with photography tips progressing from elementary to advanced, leaving no skill level unserved.” (Syndetics)