The Portland Metro Photographic News

Note:  Robert Brummitt is a familiar face to the Portland photographic community.  Aside from his own talents as an avid large format, film-based photographer, Robert is continually seeking new ways to educate and promote the art of photography among all levels of photographers.  He is also a dedicated collector of photography and significant photographic publications.  Robert is also a loyal supporter of PMPN and has proven to be an invaluable resource during this publication's first year.  The following Guest Commentary provides Robert's thoughts on some of the most important photography books.  You are invited to make your own additions and comments regarding Robert's Top Ten List.  Just drop us an email at: reporter@pmpnonline.com.

So what's on your book shelf?

Commentary by Robert Brummitt

We must support our medium of expression as best we can. For photographers, that means buying photography whenever possible. If original work that you'd like to own is priced over your budget, or the photographer has passed away, no prints are available and the dealer or family have raised print prices way over your budget, then do the next best thing -- buy the collected work of that photographer in book form.

Over the years, I have collected many wonderful books. My first was Portfolios of Ansel Adams, I was a young lad at the time and bought the paperback version. I carried that book with me and studied it religiously. Then one day, Ansel was in town where I lived and he signed it for me. He noted the dog-eared look but said nothing more. I was excited to hear what he had to say about the environment and his work. He was battling at the time with President Reagan's appointment to the Interiors, James Watts.

I have been collecting photography books for over 30 years now since my first Ansel Adams book. My last purchase was Cole Weston's At Home and Abroad.  Ebay is a great way to find books, but not the only way. I also hit the local bookstores and Library sales.

These books are my treasures. When I need to inspire my photographic vision, I pull out one or more books to get me going. When I am planning to do a certain style of photography or go to a certain location, I pull out a book that may have what I'm looking for. I'm not copying that image or images in the book. I'm looking for ideas.

So let's share what is on our bookshelves. Let's share what inspires you. I'll start the ball rolling with my top ten picks on my shelf and then tell you why we live in such lucky times for photography books. Here are my top ten books:

1. Don Worth, Close to Infinity.
2. Brett Weston, Master Photographer.
3. Imogen Cunningham, I'm going to cheat here because it is a set of three books: Portraiture, Flora and On the Body.  A wonderful series of books by a wonderful photographer.
4. Eliot Porter, Photographs and Text by Eliot Porter.
5. Christopher Burkett, Intimations of Paradise.  I have Christopher's two other books as well.
6. Ruth Bernhard, The Eternal Body.
7. Martha Casanave, Explorations along an Imaginary Coastline.
8. Edward Weston, Supreme Instants: The Photography of Edward Weston by Beaumont Newhall.
9. John Sexton, Reflection? I have all of John's books but this latest one covers all his work and some new pieces too.
10. Bruce Barnbaum, Visual Symphony This is Bruce's first book, based on musical movements.  Since then he has two other published titles, Tone Poems, Book 1 and 2.

These are just a sample of what I like to review and study. I also have books pertaining to a single subject such as landscape or figure photography, or to a film type like The Polaroid Book published by Taschen. Finally, since I'm a color photographer, I have books by Edward Weston and Ansel Adams on their color photography. Yes, they did color work.

Books Today. Print On Demand.

We are going through some exciting times.  As many of you know, not too long ago, getting your work published in book form was nearly impossible.  I know one photographer who paid tens of thousands of dollars to have a book of his work made, and all he got for his money was a proof/dummy book. Then he walked it from one publisher to another, only to be rejected. Today thanks to companies like Blurb, books can be published for a mere $25 or more. How great this is!  Really great! 

I now see work by photographers I might otherwise never have had a chance to see! And much of it is great stuff!  I also know that some well-known photographers are taking this option to go into print. Photographer John Wimberley is going this way for his first book which should be out soon.

I'd like to take this oppotunity to talk briefly about John's book: Evidence of Magic, Photographs 1999-2008: Petroglyphs of the Great Basin

The book is 80 pages, 8"x10" in size, and contains 62 photographs and a map, plus the preface. As you can see from the title, Evidence of Magic is about the ancient American Indian rock art of the Great Basin, which John photographed for 10 years. Hidden in remote areas of Nevada and adjacent states are beautiful rock engravings known as petroglyphs. They are records of the visions and dreams of ancient Native Americans. Many are thousands of years old, and most are completely unknown to the public. Their locations have been kept secret to protect them from vandalism.

This book will be published in a limited edition of 1000 signed and numbered copies. Copies 1-100 will include an original gelatin/silver print, John hasn't finalized the price yet. Copies 101-1000 will be priced at $58.00 plus postage. Books may be ordered by emailing John at tjwimberley@charter.net.

So, I shared with you my list of my top ten photography books. What photography books are on your "Top Ten List"?  Tell me what you have, and why.

You can contact me via this site or robert8x10@comcast.net.