Photography Books for Non-Photographers

Okay, so a few trips to bookstores yielded a few possiblities, all browsed keeping in mind suitability for my sister's family - three girls 6, 10 & 12, and a husband, none of whom are photographers but all of whom enjoy photographs, animals, geography, science, etc. In other words, adventurous but not fanatical:

An American Century of Photography by Davies - seems like quite a comprehensive book and has just been updated with a 2nd edition. Reproductions are pretty good and there are plenty of photographs and decent accompanying information. In terms of the requirements above, probably a great coffee table book for the adults, but only the oldest kid (12) would look at it by themselves. Some photos "mature theme" in nature.

Magnum Stories - this is just a great book and a real inspiration to anyone interested in journalism. However, the graphic nature of the images, while real and historically important, are perhaps too graphic for kids to look at without adult supervision. And while I have my feelings about the necessity of unvarnished truth in the world, these kids are not my kids so while I would love this book, I think it gets a no.

In/Sight: African Photographers 1940-Present - published by the Guggenheim Museum, so I assume was the catalog for a show there. Great images, especially those from and immediately post the colonial era. Debunks stereotypical views of Africa in a lot of ways. I looked at this book because the kids grandparents are taking a trip to Africa next year, and I thought this book might provide a way for the kids to participate in that trip a bit more actively. However, mature themes in some photographs, as well as theoretical rhetoric in the writing make this a bit of a tall order for children who are no where near graduate school yet.

Dog Dogs & Woof by Elliott Erwitt - Two books by Elliott Erwitt. Great books, great photographs, all done with Erwitt's signature style and humor. These are a safe risk - the kids have a dog, are dog crazy, and would look at this over and over again. However, there isn't really any education here, and I am a bit greedy with my gifts I suppose. I like to get the "Cool Uncle" factor, plus slip in some learning. But these books would be very popular.

Secret Games by Wendy Ewald - Wendy Ewald is famous for traveling all over the world with a bag of disposable cameras that she distributes to various groups as a form of community-based empowerment. Most recently she did a project featured at the Natural History Museum here in NYC that involved a region of China not commonly seen by foreigners (or even Chinese!) This book is about her work with children in several countries, including of course the US and most significantly for the present, Durham NC where my sister lives. I think this is a good risk - the kids will like the narratives that go along with the photographs, the fact that kids produced these images, and the whole idea of writing down one's thoughts (especially the 12 year who is teenager waiting to explode.)

Earth From Above by Yann Arthus Bertrand - This is just a gorgeous book. Terrific aerial photographs that answer the question over and over again - what does this look like from above? Since I gave them the World Atlas last year, this would be a terrific companion gift. Large book so the younger one can actually handle it better. Big photographs. Nice colors. A good bet overall.

Deep South by Sally Mann - My sister, more than me, is really hip to her southern childhood in Virginia. She would really like this book, especially since Sally Mann is from Virginia. I think she would get it, but her husband would just shrug his shoulders. The kids wouldn't even notice it. So probably a good birthday present for next year - except I am a little bothered by the reproductions. In person, these photographs are huge. In a book, the subtleties that are present in the huge form disappear and some images just become dark blobs. Romantic dark blobs, but dark blobs nonetheless.

Last Place on Earth by Michael Nichols - This book comes from the photographs Michael Nichols took while he was hiking across the Congo to the coast of Gabon with Mike Fay. Insane adventure. A bunch of images shot on film using a Leica. Some b&w. Animals animals animals. Absolutely terrific. Very expensive and now completely sold out at National Geographic until February. Of course, this is the book I want to get, but I will have to be like a super mole in the bookstores of NYC as I saw one for a discount at the Strand and now it is gone. Hope springs eternal, but I am going to bet I can get another. Highly recommended - if you see it, scrape together your nickels.

So I eliminated the Nick Brandt book - I really like a lot of his images, but I just can't get my brain around some of them. They look so worked, even overprocessed. I have the same problem with some of Michael Kenna's stuff. Eh, what can I do?

That's it for now. More later if I have it, but as of now, the Nichols book is in the lead.