So many choices
this year – so here’s the random 10. Frank, Eggleston, and Anderson were
clearly trending among the picturati. (Thanks to all of you who graciously
weighed in.) And yes Chris, Stephen still owes you a print…
Photographs by Christopher Anderson
RM (August 31, 2009)
You can always look
at a book and tell if someone was working really hard on the picture taking
part. Chris works really hard. A lot of time punching the clock in Caracas.
I’ll let the big boys work out the intent/perception with a side of politics
dialog. [here ] I just call them like I see them and this one is in.
Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans, Expanded Edition
By Sarah Greenough
Photographs by Robert Frank
National Gallery Of Art, Washington/Steidl; Expanded edition (January 1, 2009)
“Should be issued
with every new American passport,” according to Pradip Malde, who will provide
context for this universally admired expansion of The Americans on Friday.
Photographs by Peter van Agtmael
Photolucida (August 25, 2009)
You
know, it’s just hard to face. Glad someone can.
Peter’s site: Peter van Agtmael
Photographs by Paul Nicklen
Paul's stunning photographs of the arctic world. Story on NPR's Picture Show (here.)
Photographs by Ryan Mcginley
Morel Books (September 10, 2009)
Oh for crying
out loud, what captures the American spirit more than riding around naked all
summer with a wafer thin band of merrymakers? I love that Ryan has moved into
the interior natural space of caves and rock shelters. Look for more reflection
from this guy as his trajectory continues.
Photographs by Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb
Radius Books (November 30, 2009)
Two visions of
Cuba. Read about it on Burn: Violet Isle (here)
Photographs by Mona Kuhn
Steidl Photography International (October 31, 2009)
I’m a romantic.
Kuhn broaches ideas of representation, beauty, the indigenous and the natural
world with dreamy portraits of people and forest in a return to her home in
Brazil.
Photographs by Peter Bialobrzeski
Hatje Cantz (September 30, 2009)
The illumination of Asian cityscapes from a
vantage point within the vegetation creates a reflection on manmade v. nature.
From PB: “I am advocating photography as a cultural practice, not so much as fine
art.”
Photographs by Edward Burtynsky
Steidl Photography International (October 31, 2009)
The earthly
footprint of petroleum production in giant pictures. Gobsmacking transmutation
wrought by oil consumption. This is the new landscape photography.
Photographs by Richard Avedon
Abrams; First edition (June 1, 2009)
You are so
lying if you are in this business and you haven’t spent some serious hours
looking at Avedon. He’s just Wow.
God Spoiled a Perfect Asshole When He Put Teeth in Yer Mouth
Photographs by Dash Snow
Peres Projects, Holdings Ltd, Andorra (February 1, 2009)
This or Polaroids
En fin:
By William Eggleston
Steidl & Partners (August 31, 2009)
I’m not an art
critic and Eggleston is stepping out into an abstract expressionist Paris for
this work – so you will have to look at it yourself. You can look at it online,
but really it’s a bookstore look. The ICP bookkeep and I decided that it would
be this year’s keeper – the book as object, a book that would last. But can you
define a myth-laden place like Paris with color and line? I fear I’ve missed
the point, but I’m looking at it as yet another opportunity to face my fear…
I also fear I’ve
missed other books. Certainly take a look at the Magnum book Georgian Spring
We've already discussed the excellent
National Geographic Image Collection
So please add your
suggestions in COMMENTS:
-April Alvarez
I read this article, This post was so great. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: ed hardy | November 26, 2009 at 03:09 AM
Thanks Gina, but all credit goes to April
Posted by: Stephen Alvarez | November 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Great List Stephen & April. A few I own and a few I need to... gina
Posted by: Gina Martin | November 25, 2009 at 11:43 AM