Art/Photography Books
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Woodcut by Bryan Nas...
If you're bummed that the prices of the incredible tree cross-section prints from Bryan Nash Gill are a bit out of reach (I know I am), there's some consolation in knowing you can at least own a book of his collected works without breaking the bank. Along with the pleasure of thumbing through hundreds of printed works, you'll also be able to read up on his process (if you think it's as easy as cutting a stump and putting ink on it, think again). Hardback book measures 9x8", 128 pages. Available from Amazon, $19.77.
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Pinhole Cameras: A D...
Sure, maybe your phone takes okay photos, but does it take weird, interesting, surprising, one-of-a-kind photos that only a pinhole camera can capture? And, did you know you can make a pinhole camera from just the stuff sitting around your house? With excellent information and step by step instructions (illustrated), author Chris Keeney has compiled a variety of pinhole cameras that you can make at home. Oatmeal canisters, mint tins, matchboxes, and more... all inexpensive ways to take some truly original shots. Check it out.
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Andrew Zuckerman: Mu...
Remember Andrew Zuckerman's Bird and Creature books? Now he's entered into the world of music with a book and iPad app featuring portraits of over fifty musicians. The app has the added bonus of individual films included (see below). To see more, visit the site: Andrew Zuckerman: Music And, of course, here's the video showcasing the Music app: Andrew Zuckerman Music App from Andrew Zuckerman Studio on Vimeo. Actual book cover, which seems slightly less exciting compared to the app....
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The Selby Is in Your...
You might be familiar with The Selby, and if so, you might have already ordered your copy of the book. If you're not familiar with either, take a look. Both are chock full of interesting interiors* of the many creative individuals that Todd Selby comes across. *Interesting in that they're not very 'designer', they're more real-life sort of places, which is refreshing compared to shelter mags where they shoot/make everything super perfect.
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The Contact Sheet
The Contact Sheet by Steve Crist takes us into pre-iPhoto days with a behind the scenes tour of some of the most iconic images ever taken, and all the shots before and after that were taken to capture that one unforgettable moment. Film-nostalgic fans, photo buffs, and anyone who loves to know about the process just as much as the final product will definitely find this to be an interesting read. Features over forty iconic photographers such as William Claxton, Chuck Close, Robert Doisneau, Nan Golding, Dorothea Lange, Julius Shulman, and Jeanloup Sieff. 192 pages Dimensions: 10.2" x 8.4" x…
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Bird by Andrew Zucke...
Let me tell you, this book is a real beaut. More than 200 photos of 75 different species make you see birds in an entirely different way, as the stark white background highlights every color and texture. It's a sight to see, whether you're a bird enthusiast or not. Also, if you haven't see it yet, the video is worth a look. (photo excerpts and video to follow) BIRD film from Andrew Zuckerman Studio on Vimeo. photo by andrew zuckerman photo by andrew zuckerman photo by andrew zuckerman
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This is For You
Maybe you know of Rob Ryan's paper cut outs? Yes? No? Well, either way, this book is cheeeaap and might just be worth buying for a flip through. Hardback. 7.75 x 6.25 Regular $17.00, SALE:$9.99 Also: Rob Ryan's Etsy Shop for screenprints, and Rob Ryan's blog. More pics:
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The Handy Book of Ar...
Man, this book is chock-full of late nineteenth century letterpress design. I tend to lean towards simple design, but there is something altogether fascinating in the full-on fanciness of that period. Whether you like intricate embellishments in your graphics or not, this book does provide a context for the rise and fall of this particular aesthetic, which (don't you know) all ties into the trends and preferences of today. It's also interesting to see how both artistic printing andlate nineteenth century interiors share a "penchant for spatial saturation, eclecticism, and excess." (pg.172) Authors Douglas Clouse and Angela Voulangas explore the…
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ABC3D pop-up book
This is such a neat book; I'd leave it open to a different letter every so often just to appreciate it fully. This is no easy A-B-C! Marion Bataille's 3-D exploration of the alphabet is truly a work of art. From the lenticular cover to the clever execution throughout, bold letters move from point A to Z in ways you never imagined possible. Discover this treasure & prepare to be amazed! Hardcover. Approximately 7.25”x5.75” $19.95, Buy it here.
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Forecast: Nozone X
This book has a kind of wry humor; it's packed with all sorts of graphics and comics that show just how bad our world could get, and you find yourself chuckling along until you realize that some of the events aren't all that far-fetched, and in fact, some are actually happening. It's a little disconcerting to have disasters drawn in a friendly sort of way, yet I suppose that gives a special sense of visual punch and irony. A few of my favorite highlights: Julia Hoffman’s Let’s Get Carbon-ated questionaire, Johnny Sweetwater's Endangered Species chart, the Nozone Survival Kit by…
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I Live Here
Take a look at this paper documentary; it's pretty amazing: The lives of refugees and the displaced are told through journals, stories, images, and graphic novellas: war in Chechnya, ethnic cleansing in Burma, globalization in Mexico, and AIDS in Malawi.The book features works by Joe Sacco, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Julie Morstad, Phoebe Gloeckner, Chris Abani, Karen Connelly, Kamel Khelif, and many others. A foldout case contains the four volumes, one for each country. The I Live Here Foundation helps unheard people tell their stories to the world. We set up creative writing programs in forgotten places such as a youth prison…
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Martin Parr
Contemporary photography seems to catch the eye everywhere nowadays; I think I'll be adding this monograph to my list of books to check out. The work of Martin Parr (b. 1952) bridges the divide between art and documentary photography. His studies of the idiosyncrasies of mass culture and consumerism around the world, his innovative imagery and his prolific output have placed him firmly at the forefront of contemporary art. $24.95, Buy it here or $18.21 here.
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Graffiti Japan
Man, there's some impressive artwork captured in this book. I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of graffiti, but this book kind of changed my mind. It's pretty incredible how the artists' interpretations of popular culture are morphed into such provocative compositions, usually on a very large scale, and it's even more amazing to see crew efforts where different graffiti artists collaborate on a single piece. And, jeez, some of the artwork is just so sharp...you'll have to see it for yourself; you can visit Camerota's Graffiti Japan website for a preview. Photographed by Remo Camerota, Graffiti Japan captures the…
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FOUND Polaroids
If you've ever browsed through Found Magazine then you'll know what to expect from this collection of Polaroids. There are photographs, and then there are Polaroids. This hardbound beauty is stuffed with 100+ specimens and curiosities from the Polaroid age, when gratification was as instant as the digital camera but far easier to lose. It's filled with an incredible collection of photos - some of them very funny, others strangely moving and affecting. $16.49, Buy it here.
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Cypher
I'm a big fan of b-boys (as witnessed by anyone who has seen me watch SYTYCD), so this book had me before I even opened the cover. Acclaimed rock photographer Charles Peterson is back with a new subject—the world of contemporary breakdancing. B-boying, as it’s referred to by its adepts, centers around the “cypher” (circle) created when b-boys and b-girls gather to practice or to “battle.” Bigger and badder than ever, breakdancing has grown since its beginnings in the early eighties to become a global youth phenomenon today. Yet it remains a highly individualized practice—all one needs to get down…