4 Photo Books that Inspire Me
Recent inspiration gained from 4 photo books, here’s why…
Prior to receiving a shipping quote to move between the UK and Canada, my photo book collection was rather more substantial than it is now. Many difficult decisions and several donations later it is somewhat smaller, but no less relevant or interesting.
Of those books still in my possession there are 4 that have recently been a source of inspiration that I thought worth sharing so you can find inspiration from them.
O N E
The first is probably better summed up by words in the foreword by Jeremy Jackson:
‘Only tireless dedication and endless exploration can reveal the soul of our natural world to those who take the time to look.’
This is the foreword to the spectacular book Quiet Light by Adam Gibbs (published by Kozu Books who you will see I have bought many a book from).
Many of the images captured by Adam are from across Canada with a large proportion in British Columbia, so it is no surprise they are stunning. But it is Adam’s attention to light and detail that make so many of his images calming despite the subject or landscape being quite busy. This juxtaposition of clarity over contract and clashes of light and shadow is exquisite. Quite something to sit on the sofa and ponder.
T W O
Next up I am making the reverse migration back to Britain. This Pleasant Land published by Hoxton Mini Press with words from Rosalind Jana combines the work of several photographs who have documented the British landscape.
At first rather unassuming it is only following a ‘proper gander’ that this book exposes its true beauty. Perhaps fitting for Britain, eh?
The words accompanying each photographers work give insight, but the images give real context. I love this book, and it looks sexy on a shelf too. Good job Hoxton Mini Press!
Woodbine Beach on Ilford XP2
T H R E E
I have always liked to support independent artists and self publication of work. Black Was The River, You See by Dan Wood (again, Kozu Books) takes you through the history, culture and faces of a village in South Wales.
Dan’s work makes you sit upright and reflect on what makes a local place tick, and what makes it interesting as a subject. Tales worth telling and somewhere worth knowing come through this book - I find myself wanting to sit down over some welsh cakes, a cuppa and chat through the past, present and future with the people of south Wales.
Worth noting that Dan also has a photo book web store:
https://www.photobookjunkies.com
F O U R
Last but not least is another published by Kozu Books. It is the work of the awesome photographer Ben Horne: Between the Wind.
Shooting in 8x10 large format Ben’s work in Zion National Park, Utah, is mind bogglingly-good. Honestly, I have worked my way through this book front to back, back to front and every other which way, several times over.
The detail and tones are something to spend a good couple of hours over by the fire. The size, cover and layout are bang on the money - enough to keep you holding the pages open. Bravo.
Any photo books I should be looking out for? Please do share your recommendations!