COBBLER'S PAGE Now
we are into 1998 and the hoped-for Christmas present of a photographic
book did not materialise or you were presented with a book token
instead maybe a recommendation on what to treat yourself to will be
welcome. As
a keen black and white photographer, I have had great pleasure from
browsing through "ELEMENTS - THE MAKING OF FINE MONOCHROME
PRINTS" by Barry Thornton, (hard back, £20 can be got at
discount for £15) it contains 45 superb pictures beautifully printed
on good paper on single pages, none of the double page spreads which
so often ruin good pictures. Each picture is used to illustrate
particular points about equipment, materials and technique in broad
terms covering the following areas, exposure, development, cameras,
formats, composition, darkroom techniques, bleaching, after treatment,
and formula. Written in an easy style it makes you want to have a go
and to try to emulate his technique. "LAND
"by Fay Godwin, a collection of photographs of the British
Landscape in black and white. 124 pictures in all printed in half tone
on good paper. £20 if it can be found now it is discounted in price)
Includes an essay by John Fowles and authors notes. Not a technique
book more of a dip in and enjoy the pictures. Several
years ago I saw an exhibition of pictures by Yousuf Karsh at the
National Museum of Photography, Film and TV in Bradford. To see the
24"x 24" mainly black and white portraits of famous people
was a stunning experience, the next best thing was to buy the
catalogue. 190 pages, soft back, square format, some colour but all
beautifully reproduced. A study in lighting and technique, technical
notes are brief and there is a short historical background on Karsh
himself. It
was available at the Museum up to its closure for renovation earlier
this year and I would expect it to be available again when they
re-open but I don't know the current price. There
are many picture books for the photographer, the sort you buy to sit
and admire. For anyone interested in the great outdoors, mountains or
landscapes there is a large selection covering the world of high and
remote places. Britain, however has not been well covered until now.If
your interests lie in walking and mountains you will be familiar with
the name Poucher. He was responsible for making the Leica camera with
its small negative popular. He proved it was not necessary to carry a
large format camera around to get acceptable results in the hills. His
selection of guide books covering the mountain areas of Britain are
not noted for moody pictures but for clear detailed shots on which he
has white lines printed as guides up the mountains. Not books you
would have for pictorial content. The more recent books produced by
Poucher have a larger format and cover the Scottish and Welsh
mountains and are all colour. Contains some excellent pictures but
unfortunately a lot are spread over two pages and so,in my opinion,
are spoilt by the interrupted line down the middle. Written well with
good description of how he took some of the pictures. Especially
enjoyable if you have been to those places. "EYES
TO THE HILLS" by Gordon Stainforth is better laid out on the
whole with only a few pictures going across two pages. The text is
rather flowery at times but usually in keeping with the pictures which
are very good, large format studies of winter landscapes witha few
summer/autumn shots. A book you can enjoy sitting in front of the fire
on a bad winters night. All
in colour with authors notes on the 149 plates at the back of the
book. If
you can, get hold of any of the F S Smythe books of the Alps, the
Himalayas, or Britain. Out of print now but found in second hand
bookshops - if you are lucky. They are gems. Full of stiff upper lip
climbing anecdotes, camera techniques and superb pictures. Although
relatively small pictures, mostly whole plate or half plate, and
monochrome, every one is a study in line and tone. Makes you wish you
could get hold of the negatives/plates and enlarge them to 20x16. My
final choice is a book for the coffee table. |