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Sources for
Studying Thematic
Development in Photography
Atget
by John
Szarkowski ©2000 The Museum of Modern Art – New York
ISBN
0-87070-094-4
A good introduction to the classic work of French
photographer Eugene Atget, whose understated masterpieces of Paris remain a
fountainhead of inspiration for photographers. The text is by John Szarkowski,
Director of Photography at New York’s Museum of Modern Art from 1962 – 1991.
Find out why Atget has been called “a photographer’s photographer.”
A truly beautiful book, available at The Toronto Public
Library.
Uncommon Places
by
Stephen Shore ©2004 Aperture Foundation
ISBN
978-1-931778-34-2
Working with large format color film in the Seventies,
Stephan Shore broke new ground with the series of images shown in this book.
See why he was the first photographer to be given a solo exhibition at the
MOMA.
His ultra clear road trip images, which were revolutionary
at the time, seem fairly normal now; they set the standard of what was to
follow. Available at TPL.
The Beautiful Smile
(Hasselblad Award 2007)
By Nan
Goldin ©2007 for the images
ISBN
978-3-86521-539-0
Nan Goldin boldly goes where few photographers dare – into
the deeply personal aspects of her life and those of her friends and other loved
ones. Sometimes raw and searing, other times lyrical and poetic, her work is
always courageous. She is a pioneer in the genre of self disclosure in
photography - Available at TPL.
Ansel Adams: 400
Photographs
Copyright©2007
by The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust
From a renowned master of the black and white, large
format landscape tradition. The opening images in the book ( done when Adams
was eleven) give us a few clues as to how Adams worked to create some of his
most sublime pictures. Good selection of photographs.
Available at the TPL.
So the Story Goes (book)
©2006
The Art institute of Chicago
ISBN
978-0-3001411-9
This book is the catalogue from an exhibit by five
photographers: Tina Barney, Philip-Lorca Dicorcia, Nan Goldin, Sally Mann, and
Larry Sultan. Each one takes as their subject their own life as they experience
it. A chance to see several key proponents of this genre. Finely printed work
showing a comprehensive portfolio from all five photographers.
Available at the TPL.
The American
Snapshot 1888 -1978 (book)
©2007
National Gallery of Art, Washington
ISBN
13:978-0-691-13368-3
Elevating the snapshot to the place it deserves; an
incredibly rich collection of photographs accompanied by penetrating essays.
Timeless in both content and design.
Available at the TPL.
Manuel Alvarez Bravo –
photopoetry (book)
©2008
Thames and Hudson
ISBN978-0-8118-6532-6
One of the largest selections of this Mexican master’s
work ever compiled. Excellent reproduction of the photographs with well written
and researched essays. Includes the tribute ‘Body and Soul’ written by Carlos Fuentes. Bravo has had a huge influence on the
way we see.
The Dawn of Color Photography;
Albert Kahn’s Archives of
the Planet (book)
By David
Okuefuna
ISBN –
978- 0-691-13907-4
First
published in 2008 by BBC Books, in association with Musee Alfred Kahn, France,
to accompany the BBC television series “Edwardians in Colour: The Wonderful
World of Alfred Kahn”, first broadcast in 2007.
An awesome collection of photographs at one of the great
turning points in photography. Very compelling story!
Available
at TPL
David Goldblatt: Photographs (book)
©2006 Contrasto, Roma
ISBN:
978-88-6965-015-4
Goldblatt spent 50 years documenting life in South
Africa. His deceptively calm black and
white images show life in South Africa during and after apartheid. A master at
work.
Available
at TPL
Diane Arbus - DVD
The
Masters of photography series
Distributed
by Kultur – www.kultur.com
A brief (thirty minute) look at the life and work of
one of the most influential photographers of the sixties.
Contains rare interviews!
Available at the TPL.
Available at the TPL.
The Many Faces of Arnaud
Maggs - DVD
A film
by Annette Mangaard on DVD
Moving
Images Distribution
See how one of Canada’s greatest living photographers creates
then mounts a huge exhibit at the Powerplant in Toronto. The artist talks in
great detail about how his vision has unfolded over the years and we get a
chance to see exactly how he works.
Available at the TPL
Edward Burtynsky; Manufactured Landscapes – DVD
A film
by Jennifer Baichwal
Listen to and watch a great Canadian photographer at work.
Filmed on location in China where Ed documents the ongoing environmental
catastrophy as it unfolds. He speaks about how he found his subject; humankind’s
impact on the land. Someone likened this film to watching a bad accident happen
in slow motion. Powerful film.
Available at the TPL.
Territories: Larry Towell – Photographer DVD
By Mary Ellen Davis ©2007
This film delves into the the life, work, and working
methods of one of Canada’s greatest living photographers. Breaking into the
scene in the 80’s with his searing photo essays of life during the civil war in
Nicaragua, Towell went on to become the only Canadian working through Magnum
Agency. Larry Towell is a gem.
Available
at TPL
W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult - DVD
Directed by Gene Lasko - 1989
A well done docu-drama about a legendary of documentary
photographer who worked through the forties to the early seventies. We have all
been influenced by his work.
Available
at TPL
LINKS
Compilation
courtesy of Michael O’Brien Photographer
www.michaelobrienphoto.com
