It's such a pleasure to read thoughts that I share! I totally agree on the fact that it's definitely something different than the infinite scroll on the phone. Photo books help to be fully immersed in the photograph's universe. It's a whole project, a whole purpose. This is what I love!
I have started my own street photography newsletter (StoryDrops) with the same goal in mind: Take the time to observe, to connect and to get inspired! A newsletter can be read anytime!
I can't live without photo books. My baggage that I traveled with to the US contained my favorite photo books while I had to leave the rest in storage for now, but I also have three new photo books waiting for me in the US 😅😅 so I couldn't agree more that they are so important and a wonderful thing to experience!
I can‘t believe it took me so long to realize what a great resource they are, but I am glad I know now! Enjoy your new books. I had myself to stop buying more books for now! 🙈
Just found this... well said! I have accumulated hundreds over the years. I open them frequently to learn and get inspired. No one stands alone. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before.
yes I have also been collecting photobooks for years! When I moved back to the states after 25 years in Scotland, they all came with me, another move from the northeast to florida they came along..some have beed passed on to friends. A photo book has been on my to do for years, I would settle for a zine! lol
I still want to make my own book: Until, I feel like I am ready for it, I will keep making zines. It is a great way to practice for the big show (the book).
your so right Susanne, I just found my “Summer Nights Walking” , By Robert Adams 👏..and yes i have a few folders of half-edited photos which I could try either a zine or a handmade book..my total lack of software design skills is my issue with producing a zine..but its probably just an excuse..wishing all good light..
Oh, a book which is still on my wish list. Enjoy the book. As far as the software deign skills go - checkout Google Slides. I find it really easy to use. Or the feature for bookmaking in Lightroom (if you have latter). But you could also just play with it on your kitchen table - make little prints, lay them out on the table and play around with the sequencing. Stable together a few blank pieces of copy paper and glue the photos in - and there you have your zine or photobook dummy! I hope you will give it a try! It's fun!
For those who haven’t made one yet, I have a strong, unsolicited suggestion. Make a magazine now, just for you. Go to Blurb or another site, where for just a few dollars you can make an 8x10.
Just choosing images and seeing them on the page is a wonderful experience. Know that you can file it away or toss the first one - think of it like a darkroom test print. With that attitude in place, you can make a book in no time, with 20 images or many more. You will be very happy with the experience, I promise you!!!
I've found photobooks to be mildly off-putting, without ever having a concrete reason why. Only recently have I felt that opinion begin to shift. This post challenges me to push through my vague hesitation and explore the possibilities of photobooks.
Now I am curious - which one did you go for? Btw. I can highly recommend Alec Soth on YouTube. During the pandemic he made a few videos where he talks about photobooks and how to look at them and interpret them. This also brought me a huge step forward in ‘reading’ photobooks. And Alec is just a super sweet guy too!
I'll have to check out Alec's work! I went with a book (The Home Stage) from one of the photographer's I most admire, Jessica Todd Harper. She does stunning portraiture work exploring home and family life.
I’m starting on an MA in photography in September, so I love (and appreciate) this post! Same as you, I have multiple books on technique and style but not so many that simply celebrate the art. I will rectify this immediately :)
I've wanted to start collecting photo books for a while, and your post has cemented this desire! Also, as a fellow self-taught photographer, I resonate with this so much: "When I started photographing I studied the manual of my camera, read the occasional book on the basic elements of photography, but mostly I would learn by just going outside with my camera and shoot. And I still will say to everyone who wants to get serious about photography that practice is the key to learning." So true!
Thank you for sharing your creative journey and insights with us. I'm happy to have found your Substack and beautiful photos! ❤️
Great read. And you’re right, few things beat looking at a photobook with your dog!
Thank you, Andrew! Happy to hear you enjoyed the read!
It's such a pleasure to read thoughts that I share! I totally agree on the fact that it's definitely something different than the infinite scroll on the phone. Photo books help to be fully immersed in the photograph's universe. It's a whole project, a whole purpose. This is what I love!
I have started my own street photography newsletter (StoryDrops) with the same goal in mind: Take the time to observe, to connect and to get inspired! A newsletter can be read anytime!
I can't live without photo books. My baggage that I traveled with to the US contained my favorite photo books while I had to leave the rest in storage for now, but I also have three new photo books waiting for me in the US 😅😅 so I couldn't agree more that they are so important and a wonderful thing to experience!
I can‘t believe it took me so long to realize what a great resource they are, but I am glad I know now! Enjoy your new books. I had myself to stop buying more books for now! 🙈
I've spent a small fortune on my collection so far and every time I say I'll stop for a while somehow a new book shows up lmao
Well, let‘s see how it goes. 🤣
Just found this... well said! I have accumulated hundreds over the years. I open them frequently to learn and get inspired. No one stands alone. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before.
Thank you for reading, Søren! I can absolutely agree to your last sentence!
yes I have also been collecting photobooks for years! When I moved back to the states after 25 years in Scotland, they all came with me, another move from the northeast to florida they came along..some have beed passed on to friends. A photo book has been on my to do for years, I would settle for a zine! lol
I still want to make my own book: Until, I feel like I am ready for it, I will keep making zines. It is a great way to practice for the big show (the book).
your so right Susanne, I just found my “Summer Nights Walking” , By Robert Adams 👏..and yes i have a few folders of half-edited photos which I could try either a zine or a handmade book..my total lack of software design skills is my issue with producing a zine..but its probably just an excuse..wishing all good light..
Oh, a book which is still on my wish list. Enjoy the book. As far as the software deign skills go - checkout Google Slides. I find it really easy to use. Or the feature for bookmaking in Lightroom (if you have latter). But you could also just play with it on your kitchen table - make little prints, lay them out on the table and play around with the sequencing. Stable together a few blank pieces of copy paper and glue the photos in - and there you have your zine or photobook dummy! I hope you will give it a try! It's fun!
Photo books are among my favorite things!
For those who haven’t made one yet, I have a strong, unsolicited suggestion. Make a magazine now, just for you. Go to Blurb or another site, where for just a few dollars you can make an 8x10.
Just choosing images and seeing them on the page is a wonderful experience. Know that you can file it away or toss the first one - think of it like a darkroom test print. With that attitude in place, you can make a book in no time, with 20 images or many more. You will be very happy with the experience, I promise you!!!
I totally agree!
I've found photobooks to be mildly off-putting, without ever having a concrete reason why. Only recently have I felt that opinion begin to shift. This post challenges me to push through my vague hesitation and explore the possibilities of photobooks.
Sara, that is so interesting. I hope you give them another chance. Maybe start with your favorite photographer...
I've got one in my books cart now! I'm going to give them a shot
Now I am curious - which one did you go for? Btw. I can highly recommend Alec Soth on YouTube. During the pandemic he made a few videos where he talks about photobooks and how to look at them and interpret them. This also brought me a huge step forward in ‘reading’ photobooks. And Alec is just a super sweet guy too!
I'll have to check out Alec's work! I went with a book (The Home Stage) from one of the photographer's I most admire, Jessica Todd Harper. She does stunning portraiture work exploring home and family life.
Just looked it up! Looks like an interesting book! I hope you‘ll enjoy it!
I’m starting on an MA in photography in September, so I love (and appreciate) this post! Same as you, I have multiple books on technique and style but not so many that simply celebrate the art. I will rectify this immediately :)
Oh, how exciting! I wish, I had discovered the importance of photobooks earlier, but I am glad I did though.
I've wanted to start collecting photo books for a while, and your post has cemented this desire! Also, as a fellow self-taught photographer, I resonate with this so much: "When I started photographing I studied the manual of my camera, read the occasional book on the basic elements of photography, but mostly I would learn by just going outside with my camera and shoot. And I still will say to everyone who wants to get serious about photography that practice is the key to learning." So true!
Thank you for sharing your creative journey and insights with us. I'm happy to have found your Substack and beautiful photos! ❤️
Thank you so much Al! I am so grateful you are hear and that you enjoy reading my Substack!